2 weeks Ago
From drought to deluge — that's what the Berkshires can expect in the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the area as an approaching rainstorm fueled by moisture and mild air from the Gulf of Mexico is set to drench the Berkshires with up to 2 inches of rain. The countywide flood watch extends from 1 p.
m. Wednesday through 7 a.m.
Thursday, according to the NWS office in Albany, N.Y. “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” according to the alert posted by National Weather Service lead meteorologist Tom Wasula.
“Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.” Advancing cold air from northern Canada, interacting with unusually mild temperatures in the Berkshires and surrounding counties on Wednesday, will trigger moderate to heavy rainfall.
Highs could reach the mid-50s, compared to a normal high of 37. The thaw will accelerate snowmelt , adding to the potential for minor flooding along the Hoosic River at Eagle Bridge in Williamstown. “It will be a very active period of potentially impactful weather on Wednesday,” Wasula said.
The severe drought plaguing the region since early November should be in the rearview mirror after the rainstorm winds down on Thursday. But its impact is likely to reduce the threat of any major flooding. “Because of the long-term drought, the rain should be well handled by most small streams and the major rivers,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
“This rain can bring yet another boost to streams, lakes and reservoir levels.” There’s even a chance of thunderstorms — extremely rare for the Northeast in December — during the flood watch time span. Sharply dropping temperatures Wednesday night have a chance to produce flash freeze conditions in some areas, the weather service noted.
Wednesday: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High in the mid-50s.
One to two inches of rain possible. Wednesday night: Rain ending by midnight, some thunder possible, then a slight chance of a snow shower, low in the mid-20s. Thursday: Mostly sunny, windy, high 30-35.
Partly cloudy at night, low near 15. Friday: Sunny, near 30; some clouds at night, low in the mid-teens. Saturday: Partly sunny, mid-30s; mostly cloudy at night, chance of snow showers, low around 25.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, near 40, chance of rain and snow showers. Source: National Weather Service forecast for Berkshire County..
