After the mild and pleasant day we had on Thursday it was quite a shock this morning as temperatures had tumbled into the teens by dawn. With gusty northwest winds we had wind chills near zero at times as we headed out for the day. Temperatures did not recover much as afternoon highs only reached into the low 20s for most of us.
After a chilly Friday night we can expect a dramatic increase in temperatures Saturday as brisk southwest winds drive milder air across the region. Skies will be a blend of clouds and sun, but clouds probably win the battle later in the afternoon and there is a slight chance of a flurry or snow shower towards the Berkshires.
The bigger story for this weekend will be the arctic front that approaches Saturday night and charges through here on Sunday. Ahead of the front winds stay southwesterly and temperatures respond by keeping on the mild side. However, the front is expected to push through the local area by midday on Sunday and this will allow the arctic air to spill into western Massachusetts on gusty northwest winds. With early day highs in the 40s you will see a marked drop in the thermometer as it will get colder and increasingly windy during the afternoon and especially overnight. Also, the lake effect snows in New York State may transition as far east as the local area, especially in the Berkshires. A few snow showers cannot be ruled out for Sunday afternoon and night.
High pressure introduces itself on Monday, but it remains quite cold despite sunshine. Meanwhile, an ocean storm will be developing to the south of New England and is expected to deepen as it moves northeastward. It appears the storm may give southeast New England a glancing blow Monday night or Tuesday. Locally, not much impact if any is expected. Once the storm pulls out into the Atlantic another rush of very cold air will follow, with Wednesdays high temperature probably remaining in the teens.
Five Day Forecast:
Saturday: Variable cloudiness, milder and becoming windy. High temperatures near 40 degrees. Southwest winds increasing to 15 to 20 mph, with gusts to 30 mph or higher likely.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy. Not so cold as lows only fall to the low 30s. Southwest winds slacken to 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy and windy. Turning colder in the afternoon. Morning highs in the lows 40s, with temperatures falling through the 30s during the afternoon. Shifting winds to northwest and blowing 15 to 25 mph and gusty in the afternoon.
Sunday night: Partly to mostly cloudy, windy and much colder. Lows tumble to the mid teens. West to northwest winds 15 to 25 mph and gusty, diminishing overnight.
Monday: Partly cloudy and cold. Highs in the mid 20s.
Monday night: Mostly cloudy and cold. Lows 10 to 15, with a few single digits in outlying areas.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Considerable cloudiness and continued quite cold. Highs near 20 Tuesday, mid to upper teens Wednesday. Overnight lows near zero to 10 above on Tuesday night.
Wednesday night: Partly cloudy and very cold. Lows zero to 5 above.
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