Ice Storm — Western Franklin, Massachusetts

2019-12-30 to 2019-12-31 · Western Franklin, Massachusetts

Event narrative

One-half inch of ice accretion was reported in Rowe. At 1044 AM in Ashfield, amateur radio operators reported wires downed and sparking on Hawley Road across from the Water Department shed.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system over the Great Lakes drew in moisture across southern New England, where cold air remained in place at the higher elevations. This led to ice storm conditions on the 30th in a narrow region along the immediate east slopes of the Berkshires, where 0.5 to 0.75 inches of ice was observed. Lesser amounts occurred in northern Worcester County. There was also some light snow and sleet, mainly north of the Mass Pike. Weaker low pressure developed south of Long Island on the 31st, which prolonged light precipitation.

Elevated instability during the afternoon of the 30th led to thunderstorms tracking across the Poconos, eastern NY, and into northern CT and western and central MA. One of these storms became severe, producing quarter-size hail in Southwick and Westfield, MA (Hampden County) - very unusual for the end of December.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 867977. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.