Mid-Week Elevation Snow Event

A low pressure system moving over the Ohio valley is destined to bring a combination of rain and snow showers for Western Massachusetts overnight. Expect snow/wintry mix to begin sometime around or after midnight. Heavy, wet snow will fall across higher elevations in the Berkshires and the hilltowns where they could see up to a foot of snow. Areas along the valley should receive no more than a coating to three inches. Temperatures warm into the upper 30s by tomorrow afternoon and snow will begin to changeover to rain for many. The highest elevations may hold onto the snow a bit longer and those are where the highest accumulations occur.

January 2013 Climate Summary

CEF (Springfield/Chicopee)

January 2013 Daily Data

Temperature (°F)
Average High: 36.7
Average Low: 16.7
Average: 26.7 (3.3°F Above Average)
Highest: 59 (1/31)
Lowest: -6 (1/3, 1/24)
Lowest High: 15 (1/23)
Highest Low: 37 (1/14)
Days with Highs 90 or Above: 0
Days with Highs 32 or Below: 10
Days with Lows 32 or Below: 28
Days with Lows 0 or Below: 2

Dew Point (°F)
Highest: 59 (1/31)
Lowest: -10 (1/23, 1/24, 1/25)

Weather
Thunderstorm Days: 0
Foggy Days: 8
Snow Days: 9

Precipitation
Total: 2.28" (0.88" Below Average)
Total Snowfall: 7"
Highest Daily: 1.21" (1/31)
Highest Daily Snowfall: 4" (1/16)
Days with 0.01 Inch or More: 11
Days with 0.10 Inch or More: 5
Days with 0.50 Inch or More: 1
Days with 1.00 Inch or More: 1

Wind Speed
Highest Wind Gust: 51 mph (1/31)

Sea Level Barometric Pressure
Highest: 30.54" (1/10)
Lowest: 28.98" (1/31)

BAF (Westfield)

January 2013 Daily Data

Temperature (°F)
Average High: 36.6
Average Low: 18.4
Average: 27.5 (4.6°F Above Average)
Highest: 60 (1/31)
Lowest: -2 (1/3, 1/24)
Lowest High: 16 (1/23)
Highest Low: 37 (1/14)
Days with Highs 90 or Above: 0
Days with Highs 32 or Below: 11
Days with Lows 32 or Below: 27
Days with Lows 0 or Below: 2

Dew Point (°F)
Highest: 57 (1/31)
Lowest: -13 (1/23)

Weather
Thunderstorm Days: 0
Foggy Days: 6
Snow Days: 6

Precipitation
Total: 1.88" (1.38" Below Average)
Total Snowfall: 6.2"
Highest Daily: 0.98" (1/31)
Highest Daily Snowfall: 4" (1/16)
Greatest 24-Hour: 1.02" (1/30-1/31)
Days with 0.01 Inch or More: 10
Days with 0.10 Inch or More: 5
Days with 0.50 Inch or More: 1
Days with 1.00 Inch or More: 0

Wind Speed
Highest Wind Gust: 53 mph out of the NNW (1/10)w

Sea Level Barometric Pressure
Highest: 30.56" (1/10, 1/11)
Lowest: 28.96" (1/31)

PSF (Pittsfield)

January 2013 Daily Data

Temperature (°F)
Average High: 32.1
Average Low: 15.0
Average: 23.5 (3.3°F Above Average)
Highest: 58 (1/31)
Lowest: -7 (1/24)
Lowest High: 8 (1/23)
Highest Low: 34 (1/12, 1/13, 1/30)
Days with Highs 90 or Above: 0
Days with Highs 32 or Below: 14
Days with Lows 32 or Below: 28
Days with Lows 0 or Below: 3

Dew Point (°F)
Highest: 54 (1/30, 1/31)
Lowest: -13 (1/24)

Weather
Thunderstorm Days: 0
Foggy Days: 7
Snow Days: 12

Precipitation
Total: 2.25" (0.67" Below Average)
Total Snowfall: 5.3"
Highest Daily: 1.07" (1/31)
Highest Daily Snowfall: 3.5" (1/16)
Greatest 24-Hour: 1.19" (1/30-1/31)
Days with 0.01 Inch or More: 10
Days with 0.10 Inch or More: 6
Days with 0.50 Inch or More: 1
Days with 1.00 Inch or More: 1

Wind Speed
Highest Wind Gust: 51 mph out of the W (1/20, 1/31)

Sea Level Barometric Pressure
Highest: 30.53" (1/10)
Lowest: 28.89" (1/31)

AQW (North Adams)

January 2013 Daily Data

Temperature (°F)
Average High: 34.7
Average Low: 15.5
Average: 25.1 (2.8°F Above Average)
Highest: 61 (1/31)
Lowest: -7 (1/3)
Lowest High: 10 (1/23)
Highest Low: 37 (1/30)
Days with Highs 90 or Above: 0
Days with Highs 32 or Below: 11
Days with Lows 32 or Below: 27
Days with Lows 0 or Below: 3

Dew Point (°F)
Highest: 54 (1/30, 1/31)
Lowest: -13 (1/3, 1/23, 1/24)

Weather
Thunderstorm Days: 0
Foggy Days: 2
Snow Days: 11

Precipitation
Total: 1.56" (1.10" Below Average)
Highest Daily: 0.61" (1/31)
Greatest 24-Hour: 0.68" (1/30-1/31)
Days with 0.01 Inch or More: 10
Days with 0.10 Inch or More: 5
Days with 0.50 Inch or More: 1
Days with 1.00 Inch or More: 0

Wind Speed
Highest Wind Gust: 58 mph out of the W (1/10)

Sea Level Barometric Pressure
Highest: 30.56" (1/10, 1/11)
Lowest: 28.91" (1/31)

ORE (Orange)

January 2013 Daily Data

Temperature (°F)
Average High: 34.4
Average Low: 14.0
Average: 24.2 (3.2°F Above Average)
Highest: 60 (1/31)
Lowest: -10 (1/3)
Lowest High: 11 (1/23)
Highest Low: 35 (1/14)
Days with Highs 90 or Above: 0
Days with Highs 32 or Below: 12
Days with Lows 32 or Below: 28
Days with Lows 0 or Below: 5

Dew Point (°F)
Highest: 57 (1/31)
Lowest: -13 (1/23, 1/24)

Weather
Thunderstorm Days: 0
Foggy Days: 9
Snow Days: 8

Precipitation
Total: 2.27" (0.45" Below Average)
Highest Daily: 1.2" (1/31)
Greatest 24-Hour: 1.25" (1/30-1/31)
Days with 0.01 Inch or More: 13
Days with 0.10 Inch or More: 6
Days with 0.50 Inch or More: 1
Days with 1.00 Inch or More: 1

Wind Speed
Highest Wind Gust: 49 mph out of the W (1/31)

Sea Level Barometric Pressure
Highest: 30.55" (1/10)
Lowest: 28.92" (1/31)

Blizzard of 2013 Recap: Snowfall Totals

Last weekend's nor'easter will go down as one of the most remarkable storms in New England history. A storm that rivals the Blizzard of 1978! An intensifying low pressure system produced widespread one to two feet of snow across the region. In the case of New Haven County, Connecticut, Hamden picked up over three feet of snow, 40" in fact. Remarkable...that has to be a record of some kind! It's unheard of! Massachusetts enforced a traffic ban in anticipation of the impending blizzard which was only the second time ever; the other time being the Blizzard of 1978! Thundersnow reports were prevalent across southeastern parts of Southern New England due to the immense instability in the atmosphere and the overpowering strength of the storm. Areas that were hit the hardest lost power in the aftermath of the blizzard and it took a couple days for power to be completely restored. I will forever remember the intense snow band and the blinding wind-swept snow that resulted last Friday night. It's nothing I have seen before in my life!

Here is a complete list of snowfall totals in Western Mass complied from NWS, CoCoRaHS, COOP (not listed by NWS) and news media outlets:

NWS

...BERKSHIRE COUNTY...
   NORTH OTIS            22.0   950 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   ALFORD                20.0   627 AM  2/09  WEATHERNET6
   PERU                  18.7   500 AM  2/09  SPOTTER
   BECKET                15.0   410 PM  2/09  SPOTTER
   LENOX                 12.1   800 AM  2/09  CO-OP OBSERVER
   LANESBOROUGH          12.0   430 PM  2/09  WEATHERNET6
   GREAT BARRINGTON      11.0   719 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WILLIAMSTOWN          10.0   756 AM  2/09  SPOTTER

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...
   LEVERETT              23.0  1205 PM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   ASHFIELD              22.0   424 PM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   GREENFIELD            20.0   820 AM  2/09  MEDIA
   TURNERS FALLS         19.0  1223 PM  2/09  GENERAL PUBLIC
   SHELBURNE             19.0  1225 PM  2/09  GENERAL PUBLIC
   COLRAIN               16.0   249 PM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   EAST CHARLEMONT       15.5   730 AM  2/09  SPOTTER
   HEATH                 14.0   704 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER

...HAMPDEN COUNTY...
   SOUTHWICK             28.3   800 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   AGAWAM                24.0  1120 AM  2/09  TRAINRD SPOTTER
   MONSON                24.0   653 AM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   WESTFIELD             23.0   750 AM  2/09  GENERAL PUBLIC
   CHESTER               22.0   752 AM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   WEST SPRINGFIELD      21.0   836 AM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   LUDLOW                20.5  1008 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   EAST LONGMEADOW       20.0  1246 PM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   SPRINGFIELD           18.5   630 AM  2/09  CO-OP
   CHICOPEE              18.0   833 AM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   PALMER                18.0  1113 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER

...HAMPSHIRE COUNTY...
   WESTHAMPTON           25.0   905 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   NORTHAMPTON           24.0   700 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   WALES                 22.0   927 AM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   AMHERST               21.5   731 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   GRANBY                21.0   733 AM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   SOUTH HADLEY          20.0   644 AM  2/09  TRAINED SPOTTER
   HUNTINGTON            20.0  1258 PM  2/09  HAM RADIO
   BELCHERTOWN           18.5   625 AM  2/09  EMERGENCY MANAGER
   AMHERST COLLEGE       17.8   630 AM  2/09  NONE
   WORTHINGTON           16.0   829 AM  2/09  CO-OP OBSERVER
   PLAINFIELD            15.9   644 AM  2/09  NONE

CoCoRaHS

Stockbridge: 9.1"
East Windsor: 13.4"
Wilbraham: 24"

COOP (not listed by NWS)
West Otis: 19.4"
Sunderland: 22.3"
Greenfield: 18.5"
Ware: 20"
Leverett: 18"
Amherst: 16"

WGGB Springfield

Springfield: 21"
Holyoke: 20"
Greenfield: 21"
East Longmeadow: 21"
Westfield: 24"
Wilbraham: 19"
Blandford: 23"
Ludlow: 20"
Monson: 23"
Peru: 18"
Pittsfield: 10"
Shelburne: 19"
Deerfield: 21"
Huntington: 18"
Northampton: 25"
Chicopee: 20"
Southwick: 28"
Belchertown: 18"
Hampden: 20"

WWLP Springfield

West Granville: 30"
Tolland: 29”
Holland: 28"
West Orange: 27"
Blandford: 25-27"
Westfield: 22"-27"
Sunderland: 25"
Southwick: 25"
West Springfield: 25"
Shutesbury: 24"
Monson: 24"
Russell: 24"
Ware: 24"
Sixteen Acres: 24"
Wilbraham: 24”
Worthington: 23"
Hampden: 23"
Easthampton: 23"
Southampton: 19"-23"
Holyoke: 22”
Amherst: 22”
Ashfield: 22"
Ludlow: 22"
Erving: 22"
Becket: 21”
Palmer: 21"
Springfield: 21"
Belchertown: 21"
Northampton: 21"
Williamsburg: 20”
E. Longmeadow: 20”
Orange: 20"
Hadley: 20”
Greenfield: 20"
Colrain: 15-20"
Agawam: 19"
Chicopee: 19”
Leyden: 19”
Northfield: 19"
Cummington: 18"
Conway: 18"
South Hadley: 16"
Plainfield: 16"
Springfield: 14.5"
Wales: 14"
Peru: 14”
Charlemont: 12"
Northfield: 12”
Pittsfield: 9”

Blizzard On The Way!

Models are converging on the idea of a potential, "historic" blizzard across New England tomorrow into Saturday. Big props to the ECMWF model ("the king") as it was the first to pick up on the idea and other models have followed it ever since. We are looking at more than a foot of snow in Western Mass, greater amounts as you head east where they are expected to receive up to 2 feet of snow, with higher totals in localized areas! The National Weather Service have already issued Blizzard Watches for central and eastern CT, RI, and points east of Worcester including the Cape and the Islands. Western Mass is under a Winter Storm Watch as of this post.

10-18" for the Berkshires, 14-28" for region extending north
and east of Hartford which includes Greater Springfield
(highest amounts in eastern Massachusetts)

Expect light snow to commence Friday morning turning heavier during the afternoon. The heaviest snow should arrive after sunset. Snowfall rates of 1-3" per hour will be common, possibly greater favoring south and east. In fact, thundersnow is a possibility in the heavier bands! Winds are also going to be a problem with gusts up to 50+mph posing the threat for power outages. Make sure to stock up on supplies in preparation for the worst outcome. This storm is not something to fool around as it can pose danger to life and property. The snow ends by Saturday afternoon but not before dumping a foot or more of snow throughout a large swath of the region. Be safe and be prepared guys. I will tweet up-to-date information on my Twitter (@SenhW) so follow me there for the very latest.