Powerful storm set to bring bitter cold with sub-zero wind chills

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A powerful storm continues to strengthen as it moves into Canada. Temperatures will go from the 50′s to the 20′s by this evening. It will stay windy this evening then the cold air rushes in with rain ending as a few snow showers. Watch out scattered coatings and icy spots as temperatures plunge. Wind chills will fall below zero after midnight and a Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for Berkshire County from 7pm this evening until 12noon Saturday

A Wind Advisory remain in effect for all of western Mass until 9pm this evening with wind gusts potentially to 45 mph. Tree damage with more power outages are still possible with the frontal passage. In addition a Flood Watch remains in effect for Berkshire county as the heavy rainfall combined with snow melt could lead to some isolated stream and minor river flooding. In fact there is a River Flood Warning for the Deerfield River in Franklin County. Minor flooding is likely. The river will crest Friday evening.

It will remain bitter cold and windy for Christmas weekend with sunshine. Highs will only be near 20 tomorrow with winds still gusting to 30 mph. This will keep wind chills in the single digits and below zero in the hills. There will be ocean effect snow showers across the Cape where some minor accumulations are possible. Christmas Day will be sunny, but still brisk and cold with highs in the upper 20′s, but wind chills stay in the teens. Temps will moderate next week back to seasonable levels and even above normal for the last couple of day of 2022! We may see a touch of light snow, but the bulk of the week looks dry. Temperatures may reach above 50 for a few days, as we ring in 2023!

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