Heavy Snow — Western Hampshire, Massachusetts

2021-01-16 · Western Hampshire, Massachusetts

Event narrative

Heavy snow averaged close to 6 inches in western Hampshire County, but ranged all the way from 1 to 9.5 inches, with the highest amounts in the immediate east slopes of the Berkshires. Some specific amounts included 9.5 inches in Cummington (amateur radio), 8.0 inches in Plainfield (CoCoRaHS), 7.0 inches in Middlefield (broadcast media), 2.0 inches in Westhampton (CoCoRaHS), and 1.0 inches in Williamsburg (CoCoRaHS).

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 929580. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.