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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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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