Nothing To See Here (Week of March 23-29)

On this rainy Sunday (March 22) and the first day of spring, the last few snow piles are almost gone and we seem well on our way milder weather.

We may catch a flurry or two on Monday, but according to NWS Albany, "weather impacts from precipitation are not anticipated for this week." Eastern Mass and northern New England will see measurable snow but not us.

Image courtesy of NWS Burlington.

The rest of the week is looking cool early (30s), milder midweek (50s), but then back to cool for the weekend (high 30s). 

We still can not rule out a final snow storm at some point in the next month or so, but at least for this week we can confidently say student, teachers, and staff will be putting in a full week.

April vacation is only four weeks away!

Winter Returns Next Week (March 16-20)

The Ides of March are nearly upon us. Old Man Winter is on the ropes, but it's likely he has a few more tricks up his sleeve before we wrap up the 2025-26 season.

Hopefully you've gotten outside to enjoy the incredible warmth the last few days. Unfortunately, the spring preview is coming to an end and winter will return in the next few days.

After a cold front comes through Wednesday afternoon and night, temperatures will revert to the norm and we will see daily highs in the 30s through the weekend.

The next chance for snow will be Friday night when we might see a period of very light snow (under 1"). We're also looking at Monday night into Tuesday as another opportunity for snow. Another cold front will push through our region and the rain associated with the front will change to snow as the temps dip below freezing (Monday night). We don't think there will be enough for a delay on Tuesday, but we'll keep an eye on it.

NWS Albany. Snowcast for Friday night.

It will definitely feel like winter on Tuesday and Wednesday with high temps in the mid-20s. We might even get down to single digits Wednesday morning so don't put the hat and gloves away just yet.

Delays and Closings for Friday, March 6

A few stray bands of mixed precipitation are still passing through mainly northern Berkshire County (as of 5 AM), which means all districts are going with a two-hour delay or a full ice day. (Pittsfield has a professional development day, which is why they are not listed below.) Central Berkshire has upgraded from the two-hour delay to the full ice day. 

[Updated 8:01 AM]

TWO-HOUR DELAY:

Berkshire Arts and Technology

Berkshire Community College (9:30 opening)

Berkshire Country Day

Berkshire Hills

Berkshire Waldorf

Emma Miller

Farmington River

Hancock

Hoosac Valley

Lee

McCann

MCLA (11 AM opening)
Mount Greylock

North Adams

Richmond Consolidated

Southern Berkshire

Southern Vermont SU

ICE DAY:

Central Berkshire

Lenox

Update for Friday's Icy Forecast

The NWS Albany Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect around 5 PM this evening. Our sources are indicating that the forecast is for temperatures over the next 18 hours to be slightly colder than expected, which means we may see a longer period of ice and more snow.

As a result, the forecast models are showing more icing is possible. Snow totals may approach 2" in places. The amount of sleet and freezing rain you get will largely be dependent on your elevation. Higher elevations in the eastern part of the county will see more ice and snow.

NWS Albany. More than enough ice for a delay.

Some areas of Berkshire County will see over 0.25" of ice, which will definitely create hazardous driving conditions. The rain is expected to change over to ice and snow around 11 PM. The only good news (for Superintendents) is that the precipitation is expected to end around 6 AM. So, "to delay or not to delay" will be the tough decision, and full snow days will probably not be part of the decision matrix.

With warmer temperatures lurking around the corner, Superintendents might be thinking that this is winter's last best shot, and rather than deal with another round of unpleasant emails, just go with the delay and be done with it.

We'll run a list of delays early tomorrow should heads of schools chose that option. There's a chance a few schools call in the delay tonight, but we won't hold our breath on that happening. Stay tuned tomorrow AM.

Another Ice Advisory for Friday AM (Mar. 6)

Almost all Berkshire County schools enjoyed a delayed start this morning due to icy conditions. The combination of patchy drizzle and temps right around freezing led to icing, and you know school heads do not like to fool around with ice. That, and the many unpleasant emails they likely received for not going with the early release yesterday.

Yesterday's snow over-performed and dropped 4-6" in Western Mass, which was a few inches higher than expected.

NWS Albany ice forecast for Thursday night and Friday morning.

And despite the long-range forecast showing 60s and possibly 70s by Wednesday, we still have another Winter Weather Advisory to contend with Thursday night and Friday morning. There won't be much snow with this system (1" or so) but the ice forecast is up around 0.25" which is not insignificant. If the ice is still accumulating Friday around 5 AM, delays are definitely going to happen Friday morning.

More info to come tomorrow.

Delays for Wednesday, March 4

Kudos to Southern Berkshire for leading the charge on the early release yesterday. Most schools did not follow their lead but should have. Roads were terrible for the ride home yesterday.

School heads are quickly making amends by calling in delays this morning on advice from road crews and bus companies about freezing drizzle on the roadways. Most schools are operating with a two-hour delay this morning. Here's the list so far [updated 5:55 AM, Wed.]:

TWO-HOUR DELAY:

Berkshire Arts and Technology

Berkshire Hills

Berkshire Waldorf

Central Berkshire

Emma Miller

Farmington River
Hancock

Hoosac Valley

Lee

Lenox

McCann Technical
Mount Greylock

North Adams

Pittsfield

Richmond Consolidated

Southern Berkshire

Early Releases (Tues.) & Delays (Wed.)

The snow should start to fall in Berkshire county around noon, give or take 45 minutes. Snow will stick to the roads right away due to the cold air in place. Gradually, the air will warm up which will lead to sleet and some freezing rain by the early evening. 

Some schools in our area have decided to cancel after school activities (for example, Berkshire Hills, Mount Greylock) and some have decided upon an early release. Also, it's possible we could see a delay or two on Wednesday. Here's the current list [last update: 11:04 AM, Tuesday]:

EARLY RELEASE:

Berkshire Country Day

Hoosick Falls, NY

New Lebanon, NY
Southern Berkshire

Winter Weather Advisory for Tuesday Afternoon & Evening (Mar. 3) [Update]

[Monday 10:00 PM Update: Southern Berkshire has called in the early release for Tuesday.]

There were signs of spring this past weekend, but Old Man Winter has fought back. The thermometer at GSD Headquarters read 3 degrees this morning, and we won't get above freezing until Wednesday.

NWS Albany announced a Winter Weather Advisory for the Berkshires and surrounding areas for Tuesday and Tuesday night. We will see a period of snow change over to sleet and freezing rain. It will be a relative fast-moving storm--12 hours or so in total--so accumulation will be generally light. Most areas will see 1-2" with some higher amounts possible in higher elevation locations.

Ice forecast for Tuesday evening into the early hours of Wednesday.

The ride home from school and work on Tuesday may be slow. But we do not anticipate any early releases. Any games or events may be in jeopardy for Tuesday night. Delays on Wednesday are less likely because the snow/sleet will end several hours before the morning commute.

After the Tuesday snow/sleet, temps are going to shoot into the 40s, 50s and eventually the 60s (one week from now). You know there's one more snow storm lurking out there, but this winter is starting to breathe its last breaths.