Temperatures are set to plummet to dangerous levels on Friday as Massachusetts prepares for a looming snowstorm that is forecast to drop more than 12 inches on the region.
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for Berkshire County from 7 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday. Overnight temperatures are set to hit -6 degrees in that part of the state, with wind chill values as low as -19.
The rest of the state won’t be much warmer. Boston will reach a high of 30 degrees during the day before plunging to 4 degrees at night, while Worcester will see a high of 28 before dropping to zero degrees overnight.
Temperatures will rebound slightly on Sunday but remain frigid across the state. Forecasts call for sunny skies and a high of 15 degrees in Boston, 18 degrees on Cape Cod & the Islands, 13 degrees in Worcester, 14 degrees in Springfield and 4 degrees in Pittsfield. Overnight temps will drop to single digits, with Pittsfield falling to -2 degrees.
Sunday will bring the biggest storm of the winter, which is projected to drop more than 12 inches of snow in some areas.
The snowfall is expected to begin around 7 a.m. Sunday and continue well into Monday evening, with scattered snow showers possibly lingering into Tuesday morning. Heaviest snowfall should occur Sunday evening into Monday morning.
The National Weather Service projects with 70% to 80% confidence that the state will receive 12 to 18 inches of snow during the storm.
The one-two punch of sub-zero temperatures and a massive snowstorm means residents should prepare for emergency situations, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Caitlyn Mensch.
“We don’t know how big the impact is going to be at this point,” Mensch said, “but (make) the usual preparations for any winter storms. Have a kit ready in case of power outages.”
