Cold and Mostly Dry Period to Start 2013

Old Man Winter ended 2012 much better than he started the year as he graced us with another 4.5" of magical powder. Way to go, big guy! But you still owe us for last winter's anemic performance. And, yes, we're still bitter.

From the friendly folks of Accuweather

Speaking of bitter, let's talk cold. It's on the way. Temps will be 10 and 20 degrees below normal toward the end of the week. Geesh. Logically, the first question you have is will we have a freeze day or freeze delay? We'd love to see that scenario, but our cold weather expert in the GSD Office says "ain't no way." It will be chilly but not that chilly.

So it's on to 2013 and all the wonderful possibilities. The coastal storm train we were just riding on has sadly come to the end of its line. We have a series of very weak Alberta Clipper type systems heading our way, but there will be little moisture associated with these storms because of the dip in temps we're expecting. We may see a dusting late night Monday into Tuesday and a few snow showers here and there Wednesday and Thursday but nothing to get worked up about.

We're looking at some stormy action toward the middle or end of the week of January 7th as our next real possibility of a delay or full snow day. Until then...

WWA for Saturday

Good news, Snow Lovers...

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Berkshire County starting at 9 am and carrying through to 4 am on Sunday. We don't think this quick-hitter will last nearly that long, but we're in for a steady snow throughout the day tomorrow. Yes!

Thanks, Bob K.

We should see around 3 or 4" across the county, but some higher terrains will hit 6". NOAA is using something called "the Garcia method" to predict snow totals for this weather disturbance. This method involves evaluating isentropic lift and available moisture values. That's about as much info as anyone needs right now, especially if the end result is raised snow amount predictions.

Travel could be hazardous tomorrow. Look for snow to start around 10 am. The rate of snowfall will not be all that high, so travelers will just need to allow extra time to get where they need to go. Skiers, on the other hand, should make like crazy people and get to the slopes. Fresh powder, baby! Enjoy it--it's been a long wait.

Storm Totals & Saturday Snow

Here's a nice summary from Channel 6 over in Albany. Meteorologists were generally spot on with their predictions. At the GSD Office in Williamstown, final snow total was 8.5 inches with over half of the snow falling in the daylight hours yesterday.

We do have a few inches on the way for Saturday afternoon and evening. In February we would call this "nuisance snow," but right now let's call it a "the-more-the-merrier snow."

Pardon the pun, but we have good news on the cold air front--temps are not supposed to be quite as low as we indicated yesterday. It will still be frigid in the middle of next week but just low 20s as opposed to mid and high teens for highs.

Get out there and enjoy the white stuff!