Spring checks in to the Berkshires for an extended stay, though at least part of the weekend looks wet

At long last, spring seems to have settled in for long-term residency in the Berkshires, much to the relief of everyone except allergy sufferers. Saturday: Showers and possible thunderstorms, high in the mid-60s. Mostly cloudy, chance of more showers at night, low near 40.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, windy, chance of showers, high around 50. Clearing by nightfall, low around 40 overnight. Monday: Sunny, mid-60s, mostly clear after dark, mid-40s.



Tuesday: Mostly sunny, mid-70s; mostly cloudy at night, chance of showers and thunderstorms, mid-50s. Wednesday: Partly cloudy, high near 70, nighttime low around 40. Thursday: Partly sunny, mid-60s.

Cloudy at night, chance of rain, low 40s. Friday: Cloudy, showers and thunderstorms likely, high in the mid-50s, low 40-45. Saturday (May 3): Partly cloudy, near 60.

Sources: National Weather Service and AccuWeather.com This weekend is far from ideal, although typical of the season — a good likelihood of showers and thunderstorms and increasing chances of widespread soaking for Saturday. Strong winds are expected with any thundershowers that develop.

On Sunday, there will be a better shot of sunshine breaking through, though it will be blustery and much cooler. “Given recent dry conditions and some developing greenup from vegetation, this will be a good, beneficial rain with no concerns for flooding,” according to National Weather Service forecasters. After the cooldown to start the week, a major warmup is forecast for Tuesday, with highs well up in the 70s.

A sunny day is expected, with only a very low chance of any showers or thunderstorms. Later in the week, chances of showers and thunderstorms increase for Thursday night and Friday. Several climate-related studies of interest emerged this past week: • Air quality due to wildfire smoke and more daytime heat is declining, not only along the New England coast but also in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley, according to the American Lung Association , as reported by the Boston Globe.

Particulate pollution — very fine matter, such as soot, that typically comes from wildfires, power plants and industrial sources — is the main problem in western New England, borne into the region by southwesterly winds that prevail during the warm weather season, giving us heat and high humidity. Among the worst areas in the state were Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden counties, which all received “D” grades for particulate pollution, the association’s annual report stated. It found that 156 million people in the U.

S., or about 46 percent of the population, now breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution, an increase of 25 million from 2020-22. Climate change is blamed for worsening air quality.

Hot temperatures accelerate formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. As the planet warms, those hot, humid and stagnant days are becoming more common. • Tree pollen levels are expected to hover around average levels in the Northeast, AccuWeather.

com reports, but allergy sufferers in much of the Northeast should prepare for a summer with higher grass pollen levels compared to the historical average. Meteorologists say warm air and plentiful rainfall expected in the region will allow grass to grow quickly this summer. The National Weather Service reminds gardeners that the frost-free growing season in the Berkshires begins May 11.

That’s the average date of the last freeze, based on records from 1991 to 2020. The Climate Prediction Center’s outlook for May 3-9 indicates temperatures slightly above normal and rainfall near normal. For the week ahead, the long-term temperatures based on records at Pittsfield Municipal Airport range from the upper 30s to the low 60s.

Day by day ...

Saturday: Showers and possible thunderstorms, high in the mid-60s. Mostly cloudy, chance of more showers at night, low near 40. Sunday: Mostly cloudy, windy, chance of showers, high around 50.

Clearing by nightfall, low around 40 overnight. Monday: Sunny, mid-60s, mostly clear after dark, mid-40s. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, mid-70s; mostly cloudy at night, chance of showers and thunderstorms, mid-50s.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy, high near 70, nighttime low around 40. Thursday: Partly sunny, mid-60s. Cloudy at night, chance of rain, low 40s.

Friday: Cloudy, showers and thunderstorms likely, high in the mid-50s, low 40-45. Saturday (May 3): Partly cloudy, near 60. Sources: National Weather Service and AccuWeather.

com.