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Snow, Freezing Rain, Plummeting Temps for Christmas Weekend

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You don't have to dream. Christmas this year is expect to be white — as well as icy.
 
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has issued a winter weather advisory until 5 a.m. Friday, particularly for Pittsfield and North County, Southern Vermont and eastern New York. 
 
Snow will start falling this afternoon and early evening before turning to rain overnight. Isolated pockets of freezing rain are possible. 
 
The snow, sleet and windy conditions are expected create slippery roads and reduced visibility across the county. Strong winds beginning this evening could cause tree damage overnight. 
 
A flood watch is also in effect and minor flooding has been forecast along the Hoosic River in Williamstown over the next 48 hours. 
 
A strong cold front moving through Friday afternoon could bring a quick coating of snow and a potential flash freeze as temperatures drop significantly and rapidly following the cold front passage.
 
Temperatures could plummet to 13 degrees below zero. 
 
National Grid and Eversource say they are positioning crews and equipment in preparation of freezing temperatures and wind gusts that could result in downed power lines. 
 
National Grid says it has 645 crew and nearly 2,000 personnel ready to respond, with crews coming from as far as Texas, Florida and Mississippi. 
 
Eversource say it is closely monitoring weather forecasts and bringing in hundreds of outside crews to assist its regular complement of contractors. 
 
Customers are encouraged to prepare for the storm by assembling or restocking a storm kit which should include essentials like flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable foods, pet food and any needed medications. In addition, make sure cell phones and devices are fully charged, create an emergency plan with family members and prepare to check on elderly neighbors and friends.
 
Downed wires should be avoided and reported immediately to 911. Outages can be reported to Eversource by calling 877-659-6326 or to National Grid at www.nationalgridus.com or 1-800-465-1212.
 
Accuweather says this massive storm system is expected to dump more than a foot of snow across the Midwest, freeze the Northeast and put the Texas power grid to the test. 
 
The storm is already disrupting transportation during one of heaviest travel times of the year. 
 
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says it is coordinating with more than 500 local public safety partners and utilities. 
 
The president even weighed in, encouraging people to heed their local warnings and let his own staff leave early. 
 
"It's not like a snow day when you were a kid," he said from the Oval Office. "This is serious stuff. ... if you all have travel plans — leave now."
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Tags: snow & ice,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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