Another week, another snowstorm.

Winter storm watches were issued Tuesday afternoon for Hillsborough and Rockingham counties as another strong storm was expected to develop and move up the East Coast, dumping 6 to 10 inches of wet snow Thursday and Friday.

The storm that a couple of days ago looked like it would head harmlessly out to sea is the latest in a series of coastal systems that have pummeled New Hampshire.

An easterly flow will make for a heavier wet snow that will stick to trees and power lines when it moves in early Thursday morning, said Chris Legro, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.

"Anytime you have that going on, it doesn't take more than one branch to come down to lead to scattered power outages," Legro said.

Winds could also gust up to 35 mph with some higher gusts along the coast.

While building seas could lead to splashover and some backwater flooding in the Hampton area, one of the biggest concerns along the New Hampshire coast is the threat of beach erosion.

Legro said the storm will be a long-duration event affecting the region over several tide cycles and lasting into Friday.

Forecasters are keeping a close eye on the track of the storm to determine how far north the snow will spread. Legro said there will be a sharp cutoff to the northern edge of the snow.

The heaviest part of the storm will occur during the day Thursday, with lighter snow continuing Friday morning, Legro said.

Once the storm pulls away, Legro said New Hampshire should see a break for the weekend with some milder temperatures before more rain or snow moves in early next week.

jschreiber@newstote.com