The media is all over the Polar Vortex that is only hours away from the Berkshires. You would think that the end is nigh. Stock up on provisions? Secure all children and valuables? Don't leave your pet outside for too long?
As the young people used to say, "Everyone chill-ax."
It's going to get cold for the next two weeks. But by "cold" we mean cold by November standards. It really isn't going to be that bad (more like a typical December). What's unusual is the cold will be locked in all the way to Thanksgiving. Most days will be a few degrees short of 40; at night we'll see low 20s. Your best preparation for the vortex is to get the windshield scraper sharpened up.
As for weekend snow opportunities, we might see snow showers late Thursday night into Friday morning but they will not accumulate. As for Sunday into Monday, the Euro and North American models are more in agreement that a weak coastal storm will give us the chance for some snow on Monday and possibly into Tuesday. There is even some question if the precipitation will even be in the form of snow. Either way, there's not a lot of moisture in the equation so we do not in any way expect school officials to shorten the school day either at the end or start of school.
Until we meet again...
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Sunday, November 9, 2014
When's It Going to Snow?
It's a Sunday in the fall in the Berkshires, so that must mean it's time for another potential snow update from your friends at GSD.
Last week was a week of near misses. Snow showers were in the forecast for several days last week, but we didn't see much in the way of frozen precip until Friday night. At one point both the Euro and North American computers had been forecasting a plowable snow event for last Wednesday; needless to say, that storm did not develop. But we did have a few blasts of sleety-snow squalls in Williamstown on Friday night, and the hill towns had a dusting of snow by Saturday morning. For parts of Berkshire County, it was the first measurable snow of the season.
As for the week of November 10th, we will have to wait until Friday before we see our best chance of the white stuff. Temps will be quite mild on Monday and Tuesday (maybe we'll see 60 on Tuesday), and then the cold front will start to creep toward us starting on Wednesday. According to our latest data, we could see accumulating snow showers during the day on Friday as the coldest air of the fall pushes eastward. But the better news is that a larger storm could be taking shape for Sunday into Monday morning. There's an outside chance we could be talking about delays for Monday, November 17. Bring it on, Old Man Winter!
Of course we have the GSD collective eyeball trained on it, and we'll let you know should the weather news grow more encouraging as we get closer to the weekend. Until then, thank a veteran if you meet one on Tuesday as you enjoy your day off. If you don't have the day off, thank a veteran anyway. And, of course, keep your fingers crossed that the storm at the back end of the weekend grows into a bigger event.
Last week was a week of near misses. Snow showers were in the forecast for several days last week, but we didn't see much in the way of frozen precip until Friday night. At one point both the Euro and North American computers had been forecasting a plowable snow event for last Wednesday; needless to say, that storm did not develop. But we did have a few blasts of sleety-snow squalls in Williamstown on Friday night, and the hill towns had a dusting of snow by Saturday morning. For parts of Berkshire County, it was the first measurable snow of the season.
As for the week of November 10th, we will have to wait until Friday before we see our best chance of the white stuff. Temps will be quite mild on Monday and Tuesday (maybe we'll see 60 on Tuesday), and then the cold front will start to creep toward us starting on Wednesday. According to our latest data, we could see accumulating snow showers during the day on Friday as the coldest air of the fall pushes eastward. But the better news is that a larger storm could be taking shape for Sunday into Monday morning. There's an outside chance we could be talking about delays for Monday, November 17. Bring it on, Old Man Winter!
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| Cold air is a-comin'. (Image courtesy of Accuweather) |
Saturday, November 1, 2014
It's November and Snow is in the Air
Happy November, Faithful Followers. The month is starting off in fine fashion with the first flakes a-flying (possibly) for Saturday evening.
We have a fairly potent coastal storm developing that will ride up the Eastern seaboard. Unfortunately, it will stay too far out to our east to recreate the 2011 Halloween event, which it certainly has the energy to do (exhibit A, the image below).
All of Berkshire County could see its first covering of snow on the ground by midnight tonight. Most likely, it will melt before it will accumulate, but we're only looking at a half inch or maybe even a full inch in the Northern Berkshires.
The snow window looks to be between 4 PM and 11 PM.
As for future storms, our various weather sources have us focused on the end of next week. We see a little ice and some rain changing to snow for Thursday or Friday. It's possible it could create a delayed start to school, but it's much too early to tell. Temps will more or less stay in the 40s for the next 10 days or so. At the moment--and it is only November, let us remind you--we see no big snow-making storms on the horizon.
Enjoy your chilly Fall weekend (and perhaps our first measurable snow).
We have a fairly potent coastal storm developing that will ride up the Eastern seaboard. Unfortunately, it will stay too far out to our east to recreate the 2011 Halloween event, which it certainly has the energy to do (exhibit A, the image below).
All of Berkshire County could see its first covering of snow on the ground by midnight tonight. Most likely, it will melt before it will accumulate, but we're only looking at a half inch or maybe even a full inch in the Northern Berkshires.
The snow window looks to be between 4 PM and 11 PM.
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| Not so very far away, is it? (Thanks, Accuweather, for the image) |
As for future storms, our various weather sources have us focused on the end of next week. We see a little ice and some rain changing to snow for Thursday or Friday. It's possible it could create a delayed start to school, but it's much too early to tell. Temps will more or less stay in the 40s for the next 10 days or so. At the moment--and it is only November, let us remind you--we see no big snow-making storms on the horizon.
Enjoy your chilly Fall weekend (and perhaps our first measurable snow).
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