The Berkshires are in for a double whammy this week — a Nor'easter is expected to bring up to a foot of snow and ice overnight followed by another Arctic blast that will keep temperatures in the freezer zone.
A winter storm warning is now in effect beginning Sunday at 10 p.m. and through Monday at the same time. The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., is forecasting 5 to 11 inches of snow and ice accumulations of up to a 10th of an inch. Winds could gust to 40 mph.
Adams, Clarksburg, North Adams (starting at 10 p.m.) and Pittsfield have so far declared snow emergencies and other communities may before the afternoon is over. Snow emergencies mean motor vehicles cannot be parked on the roadways during the storm to allow for plowing; in some communities public parking lots will be made available. Residents in North Adamsneeding assistance during the storm should contact Public Safety dispatch at 413-664-4945
The storm warning covers the Berkshires, eastern New York and northern Connecticut.
Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible between midnight and 7 a.m. The snow will later turn to a wintry mix of precipitation that could cut down the total accumulation of snow and create more hazardous conditions. The amount of snow will vary greatly depending on terrain.
Accuweather reported that lineman from Oregon were flying into Boston in preparation for the storm. The eastern part of the state is predicted to have damaging high winds and potential flooding. Eversource on Friday said it was prepositioning crews for both Sunday night's storm.
“We’ve been carefully monitoring these weather systems for the last few days and we’ll have workers and materials in position across the state ready to respond and will adjust our plans if the forecast changes,” said Eversource Vice President of Electric Field Operations in Massachusetts Bill Ritchie. “We’re fully stocked with extra utility poles, wire, transformers and other equipment and ready to repair any damage this storm may cause.”
National Grid tweeted on Sunday that it was "closely monitoring a storm expected to bring snow, rain & wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour in MA & RI."
Monday is celebrated as Martin Luther King Jr. Day so schools and public offices will be closed.
Colder air will begin moving into the region Tuesday but Accuweather says the real blast will happen at the end of the week. The Midwest will get hit with lows in the minus-20s and the polar vortex will move into New England by Friday.
"These frigid conditions will spread eastward through the second half of the week with places like Boston, New York City and Philadelphia seeing the coldest day on Friday," AccuWeather Senior meteorologist Adam Douty said.
The jet stream will dip far south, leaving the Northeast in a deep chill through the end of January.
A blast of winter weather will impact big cities along the I-95, but hazards will shift over to heavy rain and strong winds as the storm progresses. https://t.co/anHyhseagrpic.twitter.com/AlQf5INkLV
— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) January 16, 2022
Our winter storm continues to crank into the northeast tonight-tue AM. Big snowfall for the interior northeast, cold rain for the I-95 corridor, and BIG wind for everyone.
As cold as it is now it still looks like a change to ice and even rain after an initial burst of snow. Snow starts a little before midnight then starts changing overnight. The further west and higher elevation the more snow. pic.twitter.com/51kK45l6j8
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Saboteurs Earn Narrow Win in Northern Berkshire Fall Hoop League
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Jake Hall had a double-double to lead the Saboteurs to a one-point win in the Northern Berkshire Sports Academy fall league B Division on Sunday.
Hall scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in a 66-65 win over Adelson and Company at the Armory.
Dave Crtielli scored 13 points, and Sam Larabee finished with nine points and eight rebounds.
For Adelson, Jon Gregory scored a game-high 29 points and collected 12 rebounds. Nick Lewis scored 12 points.
Workaholics 60, Elegant Stiches 40
Amont David scored 16 points, and Darian Vidal finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Dave Vidal scored 12 for Workaholics.
Shamar Ringgold led Elegang Stiches with a game-high 23 points.
Ioka Valley/Original Seed Cigar 65, Northern Berkshire Sports Academy 59
This year the committee has revealed that there will be 15 colorful leaves hidden in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams and Williamstown.
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There will be a variety of events in the Berkshires this weekend including community days, apple squeeze, live musical performances, and more.
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The Class of 1973 recently held its 50th class reunion and, as part of their celebration, donated a bench to Colegrove Park Elementary School.
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Mayor Jennifer Macksey read the proclamations at last week's lengthy City Council meeting. All three awareness initiatives have been recognized by past administrations as well.
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