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Summary: The cold winds should finally begin to die down tonight as the deep trough in the jet stream begins to flatten out and surface high pressure builds more into the region. However, we may still avoid a hard freeze since winds will not go completely calm since the center of the high will be located well to our south over the Middle Atlantic states. Interestingly, because of this, the Ohio Valley, including places such as Tennessee, of all places, where the average high temperature for this date is still 70 degrees, will likely get their first hard freeze before us.

It appears that the previously mentioned Alberta Clipper will track a little farther north than expected and will likely only impact us with some cloudiness over the weekend. Temperatures will remain slightly below normal, averaging in the upper portion of the 40s during the day both Saturday and Sunday.

A deep trough in the jet stream will dive south over the northern Rocky Mountains early next week, giving them a pretty good early season snowstorm on Monday and Tuesday. This trough, and its associated surface low pressure system, will likely get cut-off for a time over the Great Plains. As a result, surface high pressure will build over us from Monday into Wednesday, keeping us dry with seasonable temperatures. The low will likely eventually get picked up by the jet stream and brought our way. The timing is a little uncertain, as it usually is once these storms get “cut-off”, but it looks like it will be late in the week before we see any effects from this storm.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy and cold. A freeze is possible in some locations, particularly in wind protected areas over the elevated terrain.

Low temperatures in the upper 20s in most locations, mid to upper 20s over the elevated terrain.

Light west-northwesterly winds this evening, shifting to southwesterly after midnight.

Saturday

Skies should be fairly clear early but then will become partly sunny to mostly cloudy for the remainder of the day. It will become quite breezy as the day progresses.

High temperatures in the mid to upper 40s in Pittsfield, North Adams, Adams and Williamstown; upper 40s to near 50 in Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Sheffield and; low to mid 40s over the elevated terrain and hilltowns, depending on elevation.

South-southwesterly winds increasing to 10-15 mph in the valleys, 15-20 mph over the elevated terrain. Gusts to 25-30 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy in the evening, decreasing clouds after midnight. It will still be somewhat breezy in the evening.

Low temperatures generally in the low 30s.

South-southwesterly winds at 10-15 mph in the evening, shifting to westerly after midnight and diminishing somewhat toward morning.

Sunday

Mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies in the morning. The afternoon will be cloudier, averaging out partly sunny. It will be a bit breezy and cool.

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

West-northwesterly winds at 10-15 mph.