1 week Ago
Here's a harsh reality check: It’s spring by the calendar — the season snuck in on Thursday at the stroke of 5:01 a.m. But the off-the-charts warm spell earlier this week was just a spring tease.
Late March in western New England means normal temperatures from the predawn mid-20s to the midafternoon mid-40s, based on 86 years of historical records from the National Weather Service at Pittsfield Municipal Airport. Even though spring peepers (aptly named small chorus frogs) emerged full-throated, chirping away in our wetlands and vernal pools after dark on Thursday, we and they have weeks to go before the arrival of daily lows around 50 and highs near 70. A coating of snow covered much of the county Friday morning, along with fierce winds that have become regular, unwelcome visitors — though nothing like Mount Washington, N.
H. The upshot: The past week’s flirtation with short-sleeve temperatures has been put on ice for a while. While it’s safe to put the plows and shovels away, there may be several more light snowfalls next week, along with rain showers and occasional sunshine.
According to AccuWeather.com , several hard freezes are for certain in the early morning next week, so gardeners should not be tempted by the recent mild spell to get an early start with planting. For this weekend, a chilly and windy Saturday is a given, but more sunshine is likely on Sunday, along with subdued winds and highs only near 40.
A dusting of light snow is possible before dawn on Monday followed by rain and temperatures still below the normal late-March high of 45. Later in the week, the region remains locked into northwest winds , resulting in more chilliness. There’s a chance of snow showers on Wednesday, but no warmup is likely until the weekend of March 29-30, when temperatures should top out over 50.
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicates cooler than normal temperatures from March 29-April 4, with rainfall slightly above average. For the full month of April, the CPC’s just-issued 30-day forecast signals above average temperatures but no clear up or down trend for rainfall. Looking ahead: AccuWeather.
com predicts an intense, long-lasting allergy season , with pollen counts spiking at levels above the historical average in parts of 39 states, including western Massachusetts. High grass pollen levels are likely from the beginning of May onward, peaking later than usual in June because of a cool start to spring, while tree pollen will be average as of early June. AccuWeather’s climate specialist and senior meteorologist Brett Anderson pointed out that “pollen counts are on the rise and seasonal allergies are getting worse for millions of people as our climate continues to warm.
” He noted that the seasonal allergy season is lasting one to four weeks longer compared to 50 years ago. The trend of lengthier and more intense allergy seasons is expected to continue over the next decade because of climate change. Saturday: Increasing cloudiness, breezy, showers likely by late afternoon, high near 50.
Partly cloudy, much colder at night, chance of rain or snow showers, low around 20. Sunday: Sunny, breezy, near 40; light snow likely late at night, low 25-30. Monday: Rain likely, high in the upper-40s, ending in the evening, overnight low near freezing under mostly cloudy skies.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, near 45. Mostly cloudy at night, low in the upper-20s. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of snow showers, low-40s.
Partly cloudy at night, mid-20s. Thursday: Mostly sunny, low-40s. Partly cloudy after dark, low around 25.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 40, nighttime low near freezing. Saturday (March 29): Cloudy, milder, high 50-55, late-day showers possible. Sources: National Weather Service and AccuWeather.
com forecasts for Berkshire County..
