The National Weather Service has posted a winter storm watch for Wednesday and forecast the possibility of up to a foot of snow as a major Nor'easter blows through the region. 

Heavy snowfall is expected to begin Wednesday morning and continue into the evening. Temperatures will be in the 20s and expect roads to be snowpacked and slippery. 

Most schools are closed. See full list here.

Cancellations: 

• Lee Premium Outlets
• Boys & Girls Club closing at 1 p.m.
• Berkshire Museum closed
• All evening programs at the North Adams Armory and skating rink are canceled.
• MountainOne offices closing at 3 p.m.
• Adams Community Bank closing at 3 p.m.
• Greylock Federal Credit Union closing at 2 p.m.
• Berkshire Mall closing at 1 p.m.; Target & Regal Cinemas still open
• Williamstown Town Hall, library & Harper Center closed at noon
• Pittsfield government meetings tonight are canceled.
• Clarksburg Planning Board meeting postponed
• NBT Bank closing at 3 p.m.
• Grazie Restaurant in North Adams is closed.

 

"This storm is expected to bring snow, freezing rain, sleet, and ice to locations across the Commonwealth meaning that members of the public should monitor roadway conditions and make informed decisions before heading out onto the roadways," said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "While the initial early morning commute may be free of impacts, we expect that heavy snow and mixed precipitation including sleet and freezing rain will fall throughout the day, possibly creating challenging conditions for the afternoon commute. Drivers should reduce speeds, give themselves extra time to reach their destinations, and provide plenty of space to snow and ice equipment on the roadways."

 

State Department of Transportation snow and ice operations will be deployed as conditions necessitate. Crews are currently conducting preparation activities in advance of the winter weather including pretreating roadways with brine and magnesium chloride. 

 

In the worst storms this season, MassDOT's Highway Division would be able to utilize up to 700 personnel to perform snow and ice removal operations on more than 15,000 lanes miles of roadway throughout the Commonwealth. This snow and ice season, MassDOT will have approximately 4,200 pieces of state and vendor equipment available using over 150 depots and storage locations. This includes over 1,300 plow and spreader combos, 2,100 plows, and 460 front-end loaders.

 

Driver are reminded not to "crowd the plows" and lower their speeds. Call ahead to destinations to ensure they are open. Residents and businesses are reminded to clear sidewalks after the storm and help clear fire hydrants.