Winter's come late to the Berkshires. A third significant storm in as many weeks is forecast to drop a foot or more of snow overnight Monday and through Tuesday.
This Nor'easter arrives barely a week before the first day of spring and some local meteorologists are already comparing to the "Storm of the Century" of 1993 that occurred 30 years ago on March 12-14.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has issued a winter storm warning beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday 8 a.m. Snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches can be expected across the Berkshires, Southern Vermont and Western Mass., and 20 inches or more in the higher elevations.
Travel may be "difficult or impossible," according to NWS, and heavy wet snow may cause downed tree limbs and wires.
Snowfall rates will be reach 1 to 2 inches an hour at times accompanied by strong winds especially later on Tuesday. This could reach blizzard conditions of 35 to 40 mph winds and reduced visibility.
Accuweather reports two systems — one moving east across the Midwest and a larger storm moving up the coast — will combine as they move into the Northeast with the potential forming a bomb cyclone.
"When the pressure drop occurs in the center of the storm, it creates a giant vacuum effect. Air then rushes toward the center in the form of powerful winds, sometimes similar to how a hurricane develops," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Accuweather says snowfall rates could be 2 to 3 inches an hour in some areas from New York State to Maine and that high points in the Berkshires and Green Mountains could get an astonishing 36 inches!
Our friends at Greylock Snow Day say they aren't mincing words on this prediction: "students from pre-school to college are not going to be in session on Tuesday."
iBerkshires will be reporting any closures as soon as we get them (probably Monday evening after the 6 p.m. weather report) and any other cancelations.
Assume that snow emergencies will be in force throughout the county by early Monday evening. That means no parking on streets to allow for plows to get through.
• Pittsfield on-street parking is limited to the odd side of the street from Monday night through 7 p.m. Tuesday when it switches over to the even side. The McKay Parking Garage is open for overnight parking.
• North Adams: All public buildings closed for Tuesday, City Council meeting is canceled and the snow emergency starts at 5 p.m. on Monday.
• BCC and MCLA have both closed for Tuesday.
• Otis public buildings are closed and the Select Board meeting canceled.
"National Grid has been monitoring the forecasts closely for multiple days. We have secured additional crews and personnel across Massachusetts who are ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible to any impact this storm may bring," said Tanya Moniz-Witten, vice president for electric operations for New England.
National Grid is preparing for this storm by securing more than 1,000 field-based crews and more than 3,000 personnel as part of the company's emergency response operations. This includes overhead line, forestry, contractors, underground, damage assessment, wires down, transmission, and substation workers.
Snowfall rates (how quickly the snow accum in 1 hour) during the storm seem most intense...
1st in Central Mass on Tuesday morning...
then in Eastern Mass Tuesday afternoon/night.
Unpopular opinion: this ups the ante for an 8-12" closer to the coast and even in Greater Boston. pic.twitter.com/TWzJfz4bV5
— Pete Bouchard NBC10 Boston (@PeteNBCBoston) March 12, 2023
[#Winter Storm Impacts] Not expected to be exact, but here is the likelihood of impact from #snow load issues late Mon night thru Wed AM - tree damage & associated power outages. Now is the time to begin preparing for potential loss of power. #MAwx#CTwx#RIwxpic.twitter.com/zRGRwfNFki
[#Winter Storm Impacts] Not expected to be exact, but here is the likelihood of impact from #snow load issues late Mon night thru Wed AM - tree damage & associated power outages. Now is the time to begin preparing for potential loss of power. #MAwx#CTwx#RIwxpic.twitter.com/zRGRwfNFki
A large swath of the Capital Region has at least a 50% chance of getting more than a foot of snow Monday night through Tuesday. This includes population centers. The heavy wet snow could lead to multiple hazards, including widespread power outages. More to come. @WNYTpic.twitter.com/M6ZPSRH3HT
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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 Zeppieriand 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.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
