Berkshire County Forecast – Wednesday, January 4

Posted at 4:00 pm

Summary:

Just a quick update, since there is little change from yesterday. The high resolution models are indicating a few snow showers and squalls will move through the county between 5 and 6 pm today, leaving a dusting to 1/2″ in the lower elevations, with up to an inch over the elevated terrain. However, I am not seeing much on radar at this point, so I think the models are overdoing it a bit. In any case, this shower activity represents the leading edge of much colder air. With and after the squall activity winds should increase and become gusty and temperatures should drop rapidly, into the 20s, just after dark. It will then be breezy and colder for the next several days. It still appears that the coastal storms developing along the eastern edge of the upper-level trough should stay to our south and east, even though it appears that the surface low on Thursday night and Friday will hug the coast a bit more than it looked yesterday, bringing a few inches to southeastern-most New England. Berkshire County could see a quick burst of light snow late Thursday night into Friday morning as the storm develops but any accumulations will be quite light, a dusting to an inch. It will become quite cold on Sunday and Monday as the center of the trough moves over New England and temperatures will likely drop to near, or even below zero, with wind chills well below zero on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Berkshire County Forecast

Wednesday Night

A brief burst of early evening snow shower and squall activity is possible, ending by 6 or 7 pm. Some off and on lake-effect snow shower activity could persist through the evening in North County. It will turn breezy and much colder. Skies will remain mostly cloudy in central and northern Berkshire, with partial clearing in South County. Skies should clear county wide by morning. Probability of precipitation during the evening 50% in North County, 40% in the remainder of the county. Any snow accumulation should be limited to a dusting to 1/2″ in the lower elevations with up to 1″ over the elevated terrain, particularly in North County. Low temperatures in the mid to upper teens in the lower elevations, low to mid teens over the elevated terrain. West winds at 10 – 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Wind chill temperatures in the single digits by morning.

Thursday

Early morning sunshine followed by increasing clouds. Mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Breezy and colder. High temperatures in the mid 20s in the lower elevations of central and northern Berkshire, upper 20s in South County, low 20s over the elevated terrain. Westerly winds at 10 – 20 mph, diminishing late. Wind chill temperatures in the single digits to teens.

Thursday Night

Overcast and cold with lighter winds. There is the chance of snow showers or a little light snow developing after midnight, particularly in South County. Probability of precipitation 50% in South County, 40% elsewhere. Any accumulations should be on the order of a dusting to 1″. Low temperatures in the upper teens in the lower elevations, mid teens over the elevated terrain. West-southwesterly winds at 5 – 10 mph during the evening, becoming light after midnight.

Friday

Any early light snow should end by mid to late morning. Partial clearing in the afternoon. Remaining cold. High temperatures in the low to mid 20s in the lower elevations, mid 20s in South County, low 20s over the elevated terrain. West-northwesterly winds at 5 – 10 mph.