While folks just to our north got the upgrade to a Winter Storm Warning this morning, the Berkshires are still under a Winter Storm Watch as of this morning.
The models are showing that enough warm air could make it to the southern Berkshires to produce a period of sleet in the afternoon on Wednesday. This period of sleet will be well after the difficult decisions are made in the morning about the length of the school day on Wednesday.
Our latest intel from NWS Albany shows the storm will start between 8 and 10 AM. Heavy snow is expected midday and in the afternoon, but it will be a fast-moving storm and rocket out of our region between midnight and 2 AM.
Given the slightly earlier expected start to the storm (good) coupled with the increasing threat for sleet (also good, in a way), we're very confident students will be sent home early or have no school tomorrow. We have heard that the Pittsfield Superintendent already sent out a call that schools in that district will likely have a release tomorrow. The GSD Staff applauds the proactiveness of this Superintendent.
More to come, including our favorite storm feature, "A Festival of Maps," later tonight.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Monday, February 5, 2018
Winter Storm Watch: Wednesday, February 7
The Wednesday storm is right on schedule with the NWS posting a Winter Storm Watch for the Berkshires and the entire region starting Wednesday at 7 AM and ending at 4 AM on Thursday.
With cold, dry air in place and the expected liquid precipitation to be between half an inch and three-quarters of an inch, we should see at least half a foot of snow for the Berkshires.
The main storm will come in from the Great Plains and then strengthen as it pulls in moisture from the ocean. Right now the heaviest period of snow should occur between noon and 8 PM on Wednesday.
This storm could very well be a bust if too much warm air sneaks its way into the Berkshires and gives us 2-4 inches of snow then rainy slush, but most of the models are calling for all snow from I-90 north.
Here's the juicy stuff. The GSD Staff expects this storm to play out in the following manner: The NWS will upgrade us to the Winter Storm Warning tomorrow. Tomorrow night (Tuesday) many schools will call in an early release for Wednesday, and, depending on the timing of the expected first flake, some schools will opt for the full snow day. It's also possible schools that went with the early release the night before will upgrade on Wednesday morning if heavy snow is expected as early as 11 AM. Our confidence level is definitely higher than it's been in a few weeks that the length of the school day will be affected for all schools because of this storm.
It's too early to know for sure when the storm will start, but the start time will be the deciding factor for Superintendents between a snow day and an early release. We should be able to pinpoint the timing better by tomorrow afternoon and night.
Whatever happens, we predict that no school in the area will have after school activities on Wednesday, including games and performances in the evening.
With cold, dry air in place and the expected liquid precipitation to be between half an inch and three-quarters of an inch, we should see at least half a foot of snow for the Berkshires.
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| Not much change from NWS-Albany's earlier map, but it does raise expected snow totals slightly. |
This storm could very well be a bust if too much warm air sneaks its way into the Berkshires and gives us 2-4 inches of snow then rainy slush, but most of the models are calling for all snow from I-90 north.
Here's the juicy stuff. The GSD Staff expects this storm to play out in the following manner: The NWS will upgrade us to the Winter Storm Warning tomorrow. Tomorrow night (Tuesday) many schools will call in an early release for Wednesday, and, depending on the timing of the expected first flake, some schools will opt for the full snow day. It's also possible schools that went with the early release the night before will upgrade on Wednesday morning if heavy snow is expected as early as 11 AM. Our confidence level is definitely higher than it's been in a few weeks that the length of the school day will be affected for all schools because of this storm.
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| Not as good as our local mapmakers, but it's still looking good for a moderate to heavy snow event. |
Whatever happens, we predict that no school in the area will have after school activities on Wednesday, including games and performances in the evening.
Wednesday Storm
Just a little teaser for what's allegedly headed our way on Wednesday. More extensive details later this afternoon. We do have some concerns about the timing and threat of rain, but this map is an encouraging sign.
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