4 days Ago
For this weekend, it’s a tale of two dueling weather systems, unseasonably mild to the south, seasonably chilly to the north. Call it a temperature battle, and if you like it warm and cozy, your chances are best south of Pittsfield and central Berkshire towns. Berkshire County is caught right along the boundary, meaning it’s an especially tricky forecast for Saturday, although on and off rain showers are a near-certainty.
The result, as Boston Globe meteorologist Ken Mahan put it , is “a mixed bag, since the stalled boundary will create a sharp contrast in temperatures across New England on Saturday, as it sets up a barrier between the two air masses — colder, dry air to the north and relatively warm, summer-like air with a bit more humidity to the south.” The so-called atmospheric fence will set up close to and somewhat parallel to Massachusetts’ northern border, according to Mahan’s forecast. But the National Weather Service in Albany, N.
Y., locates the boundary roughly along I-90, the Mass Pike, and so does NewsChannel 13 chief meteorologist Paul Caiano in his forecast for WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Saturday’s daytime temperatures in the Berkshires could hit 60 or higher south of the Pike, while stuck in the 40s for points north.
And if your plans include Vermont or upstate New York, there’s a good chance of an icy, wintry mix with temperatures in the 30s. “Spring is often a battle between two seasons, winter and summer,” according to AccuWether.com senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski in an online post.
“In some extreme cases, huge temperature differences of 30 to 50 degrees can occur in as little as a few dozen miles,” he pointed out. “A mere shift of the wind from one direction to another can cause temperatures to jump or plummet dozens of degrees in a couple of hours.” At least the weekend won’t be a complete washout, and Sunday shapes up as the better of the two days, with rain chances decreasing from south to north.
The work and school week will see more rounds of rainfall, with Monday the warmest day as highs reach the 60s or even 70. Tuesday will be dry but chilly again, with rain returning by Wednesday evening through Thursday. Looking back at the winter just ended, total snowfall of 47 inches at the National Weather Service’s Pittsfield Municipal Airport station is far below the seasonal historic average of 76 inches.
There was persistent snow cover from light to moderate storms, but it was never deep except where it was plowed. So far, March temperatures have averaged well above normal, with highs in the 60s on five days, and in the 50s on seven more days. But January and February temperatures were moderately below average.
The Climate Prediction Center’s outlook for April 5-11 indicates slightly above normal temperatures and rainfall. Saturday: Cloudy, rain likely from mid-afternoon through the night. Highs averaging in the 50s, possibly higher in South Berkshire, lower in North County.
Overnight lows in the mid-30s. Sunday: Mostly cloudy, mid-40s, a 50-50 chance of rain. Rain more likely at night, low around 40.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, rain from mid-afternoon into the evening, high in the mid-60s, nighttime low in the mid-30s. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, mid-40s; partly cloudy at night, mid-20s. Wednesday: Sunshine, near 45.
A mix of rain and snow at night, low near 30. Thursday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon and evening rain likely, mid-50s, down to mid-40s at night. Friday: Afternoon and evening showers, high near 50, nighttime low in the mid-30s.
Saturday (April 5): Partly sunny, high 50-55. Sources: National Weather Service and AccuWeather.com forecasts for Berkshire County.
.
