Weather Advisory: Sleet, Freezing Rain to Fall on the Berkshires

02:01PM / Wednesday, February 06, 2019Print Story | Email Story

You could get whiplash trying to keep up with weather in the Berkshires: from minus temperatures last week to glorious temperatures 60s on Monday, it's hard to figure out what to wear.

So, after a few nice, bright mild days, it's time for a turnover. Starting this evening, freezing rain and sleet will cover the Berkshires with ice and slush.

The National Weather Service is forecasting that a mainly freezing rain event with some sleet mixed-in will develop starting between 6 and 9 p.m. and the freezing rain will continue through Thursday morning before tapering off and transitioning to drizzle by midday Thursday. Up to a quarter of an inch of ice accretion is possible, especially in central and Western Massachusetts.

Daytime temperatures will stay in the 40s but expect that to drop to the 20s by the weekend.

There have already been some cancellations: Pittsfield Public Schools is canceling activities scheduled to take place after 5:30 p.m., including sporting events and PTO meetings. Southern Berkshire Regional School District has canceled all after-school events (except Ski Butternut) and tonight's Voice of Democracy Awards ceremony in Pittsfield has been postponed.

The biggest concern is the conditions of the roads on Thursday morning, so be prepared for icy roadways and sidewalks. There also could be isolated power outages and downed tree limbs.

And more rain is expected Thursday night into Friday, along with above-freezing temperatures and snow melt leading to rises on area rivers that could cause ice jams.

#WinterStormLucian is spreading sleet and freezing rain across the Midwest Tuesday evening. An ice storm warning remains in effect for #Chicago through early Wednesday morning: https://t.co/iYSb8NfCZO pic.twitter.com/j4KU59NwhL
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 6, 2019

Temperatures at 1:20PM this aft'n still below freezing in the Mohawk Valley & Upper Hudson Valley. Rain continues to push eastward so these areas are most susceptible to freezing rain by 3-6pm. Untreated surface may turn icy which could lead to hazardous travel. #nywx pic.twitter.com/lfhhhgroEx
— NWS Albany (@NWSAlbany) February 6, 2019

[Tonight → Thursday] Freezing rain. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES posted. Our biggest concern is icing into & during the Thursday AM commute. Untreated roads becoming slick, expect hazardous travel conditions. Be aware, be prepared, plan accordingly. pic.twitter.com/3RJOLpCact
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 6, 2019

Tags: cold weather,

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