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Winter Storm Bearing Down on BerkshiresStaff reports
iBerkshires
11:54AM / Friday, December 19, 2008
Schools closed early across the region on Friday as a major storm system is expected to drop a foot or more on the Berkshires region and New York's Capital District.
The National Weather Service is forecasting an inch of snow an hour beginning early this afternoon and continuing into Saturday morning. The monster storm dropped several inches of snow on Las Vegas before moving into the Midwest yesterday, paralyzing parts of the region and closing airports.
Southern Berkshire could get more than 14 inches of the white stuff with total accumulation dropping off to the north. Southern Vermont could get 4 to 8 inches.
 Both North Adams and Pittsfield have declared a snow emergency beginning this evening and continuing through Sunday morning. Parking bans will be in effect to make way for snowplows.
Lee, Lenox, Berkshire Country Day and Berkshire Hills Regional schools were closed today; most other school districts planned noontime dismissals. Berkshire Community College also closed and rescheduled Friday's final exams for Monday.
This storm comes week after an ice storm that left more than a million customers without power throughout the Northeast. Thousands were without power for days in the higher elevations of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont because of downed trees and power lines. Some 50,000 are still without power.
Flights have been canceled across the region, disrupting one of the busiest days of the holiday travel season.
Two more storms are forecast, on Sunday and Wednesday, which should ensure a white Christmas. Ski areas, hit by last week's weird warm weather on top of the ice storm, are looking forward to a foot of snow. Jiminy Peak will be open with 30 trails.
Snow is already falling in New York City and is expected to hit the Berkshires around noon.
North Adams' snow emergency begins at 9 p.m., Pittsfield's at 6. Parking will be allowed on North Street between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. but vehicles cannot be left in municipal parking lots.
Berkshire residents are reminded to clean off sidewalks in front of their properties and are encouraged to clear any nearby fire hydrants. |
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