The following forecast is provided by Jamie Swirsky, in conjunction with the  instructor, as part of lab work for the Introduction to Meteorology course:

Summary: The zonally oriented jet stream continues to move relatively weak weather systems rapidly through our area. An upper-level disturbance will generate rain showers over our region as it moves by this afternoon and tonight, into early Saturday morning. It will remain cloudy but relatively dry as a weak surface low pressure system associated with the polar front jet stream drags its weak cool front over the region Saturday afternoon and evening. Skies will begin to clear later Saturday night as drier air associated with a weak surface high pressure system moves in. This surface high pressure will build back in briefly to give us one decent day before a stronger storm with heavier rainfall moves in for the early workweek. We remain located along the southern margin of the polar front jet stream so we will continue to have above normal temperatures and the longer-range computer model runs do not give any indication of any arctic outbreaks or snowstorms over the Northeast for the foreseeable future.

Friday night

It will be overcast with occasional rain showers overnight. The precipitation will be lighter and more scattered this evening and become more widespread after midnight. Probability of precipitation 70% this evening, increasing to 90% after midnight. Rainfall totals of 0.10″ to 0.25″ likely.

Temperatures will hold steady in the low to mid 30s countywide.

Light southerly winds before midnight, shifting to light east-northeasterly after midnight.

Saturday

There is the chance of few scattered, light showers lingering into the morning, then remaining overcast in the afternoon. Probability of precipitation: 50% in the morning; 20% in the afternoon.

High temperatures in the low 40’s in Pittsfield, low to mid 40s in Adams, North Adams and Williamstown, mid 40s in Great Barrington and Sheffield, and near 40 over the elevated terrain and hilltowns.

Light east-northeasterly winds in the morning, shifting to southerly and increasing to 5-10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday night

It will be overcast with a slight chance of a few scattered light rain showers in the evening, then clearing skies overnight. Probability of precipitation: 20% in the evening.

Low temperatures generally in the low 30s with some upper 20s over the elevated terrain.

Light southerly winds before midnight, shifting to northwesterly and increase to 8-12mph after midnight as the cool front moves through.

Sunday

It will be mostly sunny in the morning although the sun will be filtered at times by high clouds. Increasing clouds during the afternoon.

High temperatures in the low to mid 40’s in Pittsfield, mid 40s in Adams, North Adams and Williamstown, mid to upper 40s in Great Barrington and Sheffield and low 40s over the elevated terrain and hilltowns.

Light northwesterly winds in the morning will become easterly at 5-10mph during the afternoon.