The Sneaky Alberta Clipper

[See the previous post for our complete list of delays for Friday.]

In the winter storm family, the Alberta Clipper is the annoying little brother. A generator of light, "nuisance" snows, the AC is often weak and moves through like a gadfly. Occasionally, clippers get to the coast, stall, and then develop into coastal lows. But these scenarios are rare.

In terms of snowfall, today's Alberta clipper really won't generate much--only 3 inches, perhaps 4 in higher elevations. As of 7 AM at the GSD Home Office, we measured 1.8 inches of snow. It all wraps up before noon today, with some brief snow showers popping up in the afternoon.

The big lesson from today's storm is that it's all about the timing. This storm couldn't have been any better. Moderate snow starting around 3:30 and continuing to come down hard when road crew supervisors started to mobilize their crews and when Superintendents started to wake up to face the day. In the case of Mount Greylock, road crews thought they could manage it, but the snow proved to be too moderate and a very late (6:30) call went out. But no delay call is ever too late.

Two days of sleeping in this week for most districts! Not a bad way to ease into the grind after the holiday vacation.

Delays for Friday

A light snow is falling right at the perfect time this morning, making for suboptimal driving conditions today. 

Most school districts have played it very safe this morning and have called in delays. Our running list is below. 

Snow will be light through about 10 AM. Highest snow totals will be 3 inches. Because of the very cold air in place, the snow will adhere to the roads, making for slow travel especially on untreated roads. If everyone just takes it easy out there, getting to school and work shouldn't be too difficult. We are hearty New Englanders after all. 

2-HOUR DELAY

Berkshire Hills

Mohawk Trail

Adams/Cheshire 

Pittsfield

Lenox

North Adams

Clarksburg

Hancock

Central Berkshire 

Mount Greylock 

Lee

Williamstown

Lanesboro ugh

Alberta Clipper for Thursday Night and Friday Morning

We low-balled the chance for a delay tomorrow with only a 50% prediction earlier today. Fortunately, almost all schools in Berkshire County have called for a delay or cancellation tomorrow. Everybody wins.

Here is our complete list for Thursday morning. We will update and add to should any schools change their minds. Changes from yesterday's announcements are in RED:

2-HOUR DELAY:

Adams/Cheshire
Mount Greylock

Lee

Lanesboro 

Williamstown

New Lebanon

Central Berkshire
BArT
Berkshire Hills

CLOSED

Pittsfield

Southern Berkshire
North Adams

Hancock

Clarksburg 

Richmond

Florida

Dangerous cold. Image courtesy of Accuweather.

We do need to keep an eye out for an Alberta clipper that will slide by us Thursday night into Friday morning. At the most we'll see 2 inches of snow, but that could mean for a troublesome commute on Friday. With the cold temps and blowing of snow, drivers will need to be very careful. It's unlikely superintendents will call for a delay on Friday, but there's an outside shot--5% on the True North Confidence Meter.

We'll post again soon! There are no big storms in the long-range forecast. Boo-hoo.