Coastal Storms Should Skirt By The Berkshires This Weekend

You may have heard a few rumblings about a big weekend storm affecting the east coast. While those rumblings have some truth in them, the storms that will form along the coast should not impact our area over the weekend in any significant way.

There's still time for the models to sort out when and how the storm will develop, but it looks like the coastal formation will be just enough to our south and east to prevent a snow storm that would require snow removal equipment. Also--as was the case last weekend--we have a lot of warm air in place, which is not helping our cause one bit.

So we're not expecting much of anything this weekend, except for wet snow showers on Saturday.

The next chance for a delay looks to be on Wednesday. A storm will come out of the plains that could create a messy morning commute. We're definitely skeptical at this point given how poorly 2020 has started, but we'll take what we can get.

We still have many weeks of winter left, but January 2020 has been an absolute bust. After such a promising December, Old Man Winter seems to have tuckered himself out. Let's hope he's merely napping and will find that second wind in February/March.

Winter Weather Advisory -- Saturday, January 25

The heavier rain has finally arrived in Berkshire County, and most of us will see all rain through Sunday. As a precaution, though, NWS Albany has put in place a Winter Weather Advisory. The real threat for sleet and freezing rain will be high elevation towns over 1500 feet.

At the GSD Headquarters in Williamstown it's still a balmy 40 degrees as of 5:30 PM and the temp will bottom out at 34 tonight/early Sunday morning. So we are not expecting any frozen precip.

As for next week, it's going to be relatively warm and quiet. We will see single digits Thursday morning, and that day will be the only day of the week that does not get above freezing for a high temperature.

If you're making your way to or from the Pioneer Valley tonight, be alert to changing road conditions in the hill towns.

You know you're in a dry patch (snow-wise) when you're forced to post screenshots of the temperature forecast for February 4th--only 10 days away. Winter will return but you'll need to be patient.

Rain and Mixed Precip This Weekend

Going, going...just about gone.

The big winter storm that was looking promising a week ago is now going to be a rain event, mostly, for the Berkshires. We may see periods of sleet and wet snow, especially in higher elevation towns, but too much warm air is in place for this storm to become a plowable or shovelable event.

NWS Albany. Not much to report here.

The rain will start midday on Saturday and last through Sunday. The best chance for frozen precipitation will be Saturday night. Drivers should be alert if they are out and about at that time as a change in elevation or change in temperature by one degree could impact the road conditions significantly.

Sadly, next week is also looking to be a mild one, and it will be relatively dry. We may have to put up with unseasonably warm temperatures for the rest of the month until a significant change in the pattern--i.e. return to bitter cold--hits us in early February. The long-range runs of the models show a big shift in temperature for the eastern half of the country in about 10 days.

Weekend Storm In the Process of Fizzling

Forecasters again are calling for a weekend storm to rip through New England, but the snow-making potential of this one is much less certain because of the warm air that will be dominating our region.

You may have noticed this morning when you awoke that it was a balmy 20 degrees in most locations in the Berkshires, opposed to the near 0 temps we saw the last few days. Twenty degrees at dawn usually means mid-30s by the afternoon, and that is the case for the next few days.

Temps will max out at 40 degrees on Friday before the storm moves in from the middle of the country. Right now models are still holding onto hope for the Berkshires for 3-7 inches of snow, but we at GSD do not like the way the models are trending. A few days ago the models were showing 6-8 inches for most of us, if not more. For what it's worth, the Euro gives us the best chance for snow, especially in higher elevation towns in the Berkshires, while the US model shows mostly rain.

We're still holding out some hope for snow, but past experience would indicate that this storm has a much better chance of being a bust than a bonanza. The key will be the air temperature at the surface (opposed to aloft), and right now the forecast is for a few degrees above freezing for most of us when the precipitation moves in on Saturday.

As for timing, the precipitation should begin a little before midday on Saturday and continue through Sunday evening. Skiers should be able to get in a few runs or a few kilometers on Saturday morning before things turn to as slushy mush in the afternoon.

We'll alert you to any changes to the forecast.

Winter Storm Warning for Saturday, Jan. 18

Yesterday afternoon, NWS Albany issued a Winter Storm Warning for Berkshire County and southern Vermont. The Warning begins at 1 PM and ends at 7 AM but the snow will end well before daylight on Sunday.

Snow should start falling around 2 PM in the Berkshires (west to east). North County should get slightly more of the white stuff. Some higher elevation towns in North County could approach 10 inches. Lower elevation towns in South County could see as little as 3 inches.

Had this storm fallen on a random Tuesday in January, there would have been a lot of hand-wringing about full snow days or delays. Because the snow will end around 2 AM, many districts would have gone with a delay and a few, especially north of Pittsfield, would have gone with the full snow day. It definitely would have been a do-your-homework-just-in-case kind of storm.

Here's the latest prediction from NWS Albany:

Check our Twitter feed (@GreylockSnowDa1) for snow totals throughout the storm.

Winter Storm Watch For Saturday & Saturday Night

NWS Albany has issued a Winter Storm Watch starting on Saturday at 1 PM. The Watch will last until 7 AM on Sunday. The GSD Staff expects the Watch will be upgraded to a Warning very late tonight once we get within 12 hours of the onset of snow.

NWS Albany

The onset of snow. Right now it looks like Berkshire County will see the first flakes with this storm around 3 PM. Because this storm will a quick hitter, expect some snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour after dark. Travel after 6 PM will likely be difficult so get your provisions, put a movie or two on your watch list, and enjoy a winter night in.

Accuweather

The storm should wrap up by 2 or 3 AM so you'll have to check in with church or the local hockey rink to see if your service or game/practice is still on for Sunday morning. The rest of Sunday will be a blustery but warmer day (mid-30s) with leftover snow showers throughout the day. The storm will "bomb out" off the coast of Maine and deliver a blizzard to Newfoundland on Sunday.

As for future storms, we are already hearing some chatter about a bigger weekend storm for the 25th and 26th. Stay tuned.

Channel 6 Albany

Weekend Snow Storm Is On

Certainly in parts of Northern Berkshire County a delay would have been appreciated this morning. Route 7 and 2 were mostly okay for the morning commute in Williamstown, but side roads were slippery due to the very greasy snow. Temps were right around freezing today, which led to the heavy, wet snow.

But this weekend we won't be dealing with heavy wet snow at all. Our snow on Saturday should be relatively dry and light as temps will be in the mid 20s for the duration of the snowfall.

We haven't seen too many changes to the weekend forecast. NWS Albany is expecting a 6-8 inch storm for most of the Berkshires. The US model thinks we'll only see 3-4 inches in South County, but the Euro shows 6" from the border to border. We'll see who wins this round of the ongoing battle of the models.

Thanks to NWS Albany for all the great snow maps.

Morning activities should be good to go on Saturday, but anything scheduled after 2:00 will likely be postponed. The bulk of the snow will fall in a 12-hour period which means the snow will be coming down at a good clip in the afternoon and evening.

A final note: because it's been so warm recently, tomorrow is going to feel unusually frigid with mid-teen temps and a brisk wind. Bundle up!

Thursday (Jan. 16) Morning Snow Update

We have an inch of snow at the GSD Home Office (as of 5:30 AM) and it is still snowing. According to the radar, the snow is falling lightly from Pittsfield northward. Vermont and the Adirondacks are getting a moderate storm.

Because of the ongoing snow--which should last through the morning hours--we do have a few delays in southern Vermont (Arlington, Stamford Elementary and Twin Valley) and Franklin County this morning but none in Berkshire County.

Snow: It's Back

A Winter Weather Advisory has been announced for Bennington County, and snow totals have ticked up slightly for northern Berkshire, but that advisory will likely not be extended to any parts of Berkshire County.

We should see snow after midnight tonight. High terrains could get up to 3 inches, but most of us will see a dusting or an inch. Greatest chances for snow days are for Adams/Cheshire, Mount Greylock, Savoy, Clarksburg, Florida, and maybe Central Berkshire. We're not optimistic, but we are saying there's a chance.

A Wind Advisory is up for the county for Thursday--gusts up to 50 mph are possible. And shortly on the heals of the wind will be well below average temperatures for Friday.

Euro prediction for the weekend storm. Totals are up slightly from yesterday.

For the weekend storm, we are starting to see a slight difference between the Euro and the American models. The US model still is showing 6-8 inches with lower totals (4-6) to the south. The Euro is calling for a more robust storm with 7+ inches for the entire county and up to 11 inches for towns on the Vermont border. The timing is still Saturday afternoon into the overnight hours. And it should be a fast mover.

Delays Possible Thursday

Before the bigger storm hits the Berkshires on Saturday, don't sleep on this sneaky Thursday morning system.

The bulk of the snow Wednesday night into Thursday will fall to our north, but there is a chance that a perfectly timed inch or so of snow could gum up the works for commuters on Thursday morning. We would imagine most road crews will be able to handle the snow, but the ride to school on Thursday could be slow. Perhaps a few districts will not risk it and go with a delay, but will be more exception than rule.

Small chance for a delay on Thursday. NWS Albany.

After a very cold Friday--high in the mid-teens and lows in the single digits--we'll need to brace for a weekend storm. Right now the timing looks to be Saturday afternoon and evening, mostly. Both the Euro and the US model are in near agreement and showing 6-8 inches for northern Berkshire County and slightly lower amounts southward.

The Euro model prediction for this weekend.

The storm does look like it will eventually develop into a coastal storm once it passes us, but it will be too much into the Gulf of Maine to bring us much additional snow.

Moderate Weekend Snow Storm

The hype machine is starting to ramp up for the first snow storm of 2020. The forecasting models are showing a good-sized event for interior New England this weekend.

Unfortunately, the timing is about as bad as gets for any impact on the length of the school day. Right now the storm looks like it will start Saturday afternoon and continue into Sunday. School-related events would appear to be very much in question for Saturday afternoon and evening.

The few maps produced by European models that we've seen are showing between 6 and 9 inches of snow for Western Massachusetts. The North American model is out of its mind and showing 18 inches or more. The Euro has been much more reliable this season so expect under 10" for this storm.

Another absurd North American (GFS) model prediction.

It's too early to pinpoint timing or amounts just yet, but we get the sense that this storm is a little more conventional and predictable than the past few storms (including the ice storm). Prepare thy shovel.

Much more to follow.

Winter Returns; Snow Storm Next Weekend

Changes are in the air. We're still enjoying 60 degree weather at the GSD Home Office, but with the wind picking up (a wind advisory is in effect), you know those high temps are short-lived. The temperature will drop steadily throughout the day and evening, eventually bottoming out in the high 20s on Monday morning.

We will see colder temperatures this week but, by January standards, it won't be that cold--lows 40s for highs through Wednesday. Finally, we'll have sub-freezing temps for the second half of the week and weekend.

We should have a dry week--except for a few snow showers on Thursday--and then we may have to prepare for a more substantial snow fall for Saturday evening and Sunday. Some of the models are showing a coastal storm developing.

Enjoy the mild and dry week. We'll have much more to say about next weekend's storm in a few days.

Light Snow This Week

We picked up a half inch of snow at the GSD Home Office Saturday night, and we expect to add to our seasonal total with two minor events this week. There is a chance both could affect the morning commutes, Monday and Wednesday.

Neither of these storms will produce full snow days, but we could see a few delays from these weak and not well-formed storms.

NWS Albany snow prediction for Sunday night.

The first one will hit us Sunday night. We are expecting 1-2 inches of snow after midnight so the timing is pretty good. Most road crews will be able to handle the snow and should have major roadways clear for the morning commute, so you only have about a 1 in 10 chance of a delay tomorrow.

On Wednesday, we could see a more moderate snowfall for Southern Berkshire county. A coastal storm will cause snow to develop in our region. It's possible we could get 3-4 inches in Great Barrington, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Otis, etc. but 1-2 inches is more likely. The timing is again very good and a chance for a delay is slightly better at 20% on the GSD Confidence Meter.

We'll post any delays tomorrow morning should school districts call them in.