Sunday, March 12, 2023

Major Winter Storm

We're not going to mince words on this one: students from pre-school to college are not going to be in session on Tuesday. And especially in the eastern hill towns, some students will be getting two days off. Many Superintendents will make their decision by the end of the school day on Monday.

We don't use this map very often because we often only see minor and moderate impacts for area. This is the first time in many years that we've seen the "extreme" impacts designation for part of the Berkshires.

Despite the prediction for 18+" for all of the Berkshires, we still do not think that all towns will be digging out from a very heavy foot and a half of snow. Because this storm is a nor'easter, there will be a band of precipitation that forms north and west of the center of the storm. This thick band of very heavy snow is going to set up somewhere and very slowly pivot (counterclockwise) as the storm slowly lifts through New England and on its way to Canada. 

The current runs of the models put that band over northern Berkshire County and southern Vermont. Any movement of the track of the storm will shift this band, so right now we think towns north of Pittsfield have a better chance for 18+ inches.

South County is still going to get hit hard, but likely more in the 8-12" range (and higher totals in higher elevation spots).

The storm will start during the day on Monday. Because temps will be in the mid and high 30s, it will likely start as a mix of rain and snow until enough cooling occurs to make it all snow.

Grocery stores will be busy today so plan accordingly.

Mapfest later today.

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