Winter Storm Watch for Friday for Northern Berkshire County

We don't suggest you go into full freak out mode just yet, but the National Weather Service just dropped a Winter Storm Watch on Northern Berkshire County. Nothing has been posted for Southern Berkshire County yet, but we see a Winter Weather Advisory in your near future.

The Watch is up because the potential for 5-10 inches of snow exists. Because Northern Berkshire is the southernmost area of the watch, this likely means that we'll be on the low end of the 5-10 inch prediction. Also, the Watch begins at 5 AM and ends at 11 AM on Saturday.

We do want to remind you that a Watch does not mean a snow storm will definitely happen. We will raise the True North Confidence Meter up a few ticks in response to the Watch, but things will get real only if the Watch gets bumped up to a Winter Storm Warning. If that happens, students in several schools will not have classes on Friday.

Perhaps it's a sign--perhaps it isn't--but 20 years ago on these exact dates New England got pounded by a major snow storm. Here's a map from the 1997 storm on March 31 and April 1, courtesy of Boston meteorologist David Epstein.

We really doubt we'll reach snow totals that high, but it is a nor'easter and there may just be enough cold air in place to give us moderate to heavy snowfall throughout the day on Friday.

Twelfth graders--and sixth graders--rejoice.