Post-Christmas Snowstorm: What to Expect

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A large storm system that produced numerous tornadoes and wintry conditions across the Deep South Christmas Day is set to impact the Northeast and New England later this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for all of Western Massachusetts for heavy snow with the possibility of icing as well. I expect snow to enter the region this evening from southwest to northeast. As temperatures drop overnight, heavy snow may fall especially across the higher regions of the Berkshires. From Wednesday evening to Thursday morning is where the heaviest activity will occur before warmer air gradually takes over and changes over to rain in the valleys tomorrow afternoon. But before the changeover, I expect 4-8" for the Springfield area up to Northampton; 5-10" directly outside those locations and up to a foot possible across the Berkshires and Franklin County including Greenfield. Check out the snow map above for further details. Colder air should be harder to budge in locations north and west of the Pioneer Valley and we may stay all snow or in the most likely case, a changeover to a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain. So, in short, rain in the valleys and a wintry mix for points north and west of the valleys Thursday afternoon. After the low exits the area, rain should turn back to snow for a short period Thursday evening before it is said and done around 10PM Thursday. Stay safe and check my Twitter (@SenhW) for continuous updates throughout the storm!