Heavy Snow — Western Franklin, Massachusetts

2021-01-16 · Western Franklin, Massachusetts

Event narrative

Heavy snow averaged 6 inches across western Franklin County, but ranged from 3 to 10 inches, highest in the immediate higher slopes of the Berkshires. Specific amounts included 10.0 inches in East Hawley (CoOp Observer), 8.5 inches in Ashfield (public), 8.3 inches in Heath (amateur radio), 8.2 inches in Rowe (Co-Op Observer), 4.6 inches in Colrain (CoCoRaHS), 4.0 inches in Shelburne Falls (amateur radio), 3.1 inches in Conway (CoCoRaHS), and 3.0 inches in Leyden (amateur radio). In Colrain at 809 AM EST, power lines were down on Adamsville Road due to the weight of the wet snow. In Shelburne at 925 AM EST, wires were down on Route 2 due to heavy, wet snow. In Heath at 958 AM EST, a tree was down on Burnt Hill Road due to the heavy, wet snow. In Charlemont at 1018 AM EST, a tree and wires were down on West Oxbow Road due to the weight of the wet snow.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure in the Ohio Valley spawned a secondary low pressure system off the mid-Atlantic coast, which moved northward into northern New England. It brought 1 to 2 inches of rain to much of Massachusetts, but in the highest terrain of western Franklin and Hampshire Counties, it was cold enough for 6 to 10 inches of snow to pile up during the overnight and early morning hours. The heavy, wet snow downed some trees and wires in Franklin County. Strong winds occurred in eastern Massachusetts, with gusts to 50 to 55 mph and a sustained wind generally of 30 to 40 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 929578. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.