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Snow Possible for Berkshires on Friday

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The forecast for this week is "soggy and dreary," according to Accuweather, but don't worry, there's a snowstorm on the way as well.

A combination of a winter storm heading eastward and Tropical Storm Zeta moving up the coast will bring drenching rain and potential snow for the Berkshires and Southern Vermont.
 
"With a full changeover to snow now anticipated over the mountains, a moderate to heavy accumulation is appearing more likely over the higher terrain into Friday. Such a scenario could weigh down trees that still have a canopy of leaves and lead to power outages," according to Accuweather.
 
However, a high pressure system could push the wet weather farther east and out to sea by Saturday night, just in time for trick or treating. The rain may leave but the temperatures will still be chilly — 5 to 10 degrees below normal for the end of October.
 
The National Weather Service is predicting a 50 percent chance that more than 2 inches of snowfall will cover the Berkshires and Southern Vermont between Wednesday and Saturday, although most weather predictions are that the storm system will move out by Friday afternoon.
 
Rain late Thursday is expected to mix with snow as the colder air arrives with accumulations in the higher regions but there's also the possibility the valleys may see a covering of snow.  
 
The latest forecast from NWS is 1 to 2 inches in the higher elevations but with the 10 percent chance of 5 to 7 inches in North Berkshire and Southern Vermont. 
 
Greylock Snow Day wakened from its long hibernation on Wednesday to make some predictions — and advocate for snow days in this virtual education world. 
 
"For an October snow event, this storm has some steam. Early season storms are always hard to predict because there often is no snow pack or base of cold air, which somewhat explains the wide range of predicted snowfall," writes the blog. "It has the feel of the October 29-30 storm of 2011 that dropped over a foot in South County and over 6 inches in North County."
 
Friday morning commutes from the living room to the kitchen may be treacherous it warns. 
 
Greylock Snow Day says the "home office" will remain open but implores readers to contact their school officials to "retain the sacred snow day." No Zoom, no remote, just a snow day. 

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MassDOT Warns of Toll-fee Smishing Scam

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.

EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:

  • EZDriveMA will never request payment by text
  • All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

The FBI says it has received more than 2,000 complaints related to toll smishing scams since early March and recommends individuals who receive fraudulent messages do the following:

1. File a complaint with the  Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; be sure to include:

The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text

2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

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