GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — A powerful winter storm is poised to move across Franklin County and the rest of Massachusetts beginning late Sunday morning and continuing through Monday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the area, prompting widespread preparations across the region.
The NWS has issued the warning for Franklin County from 7 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday, forecasting heavy snow and hazardous travel conditions
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Sunday: Snow likely developing by late morning, becoming heavy at times in the afternoon and evening.
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Sunday Night: Continued heavy snow and occasional wintry mix with significant accumulations possible.
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Monday: Ongoing snow, possibly mixed early before changing back to all snow, with continued low temperatures.
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Tuesday: Drier and sunnier but still cold.
Forecasters predict that Franklin County and much of western Massachusetts could see snowfall totals ranging from 12 to 20 inches or more .
The storm’s intensity, combined with gusty winds, will create plummeting visibility, slick roads and dangerous travel. Bridges and overpasses are expected to freeze quickly, and the NWS cautioned residents to delay travel if possible and to exercise extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.
Massachusetts officials, including the Healey-Driscoll administration, have urged residents to prepare for severe winter conditions this weekend. Prior to the storm’s arrival, extreme cold warnings with wind chills as low as -25 °F were issued for parts of western Massachusetts, underscoring the frigid air feeding into the system.
Local governments are adjusting services — trash and recycling schedules in Greenfield have been shifted one day due to the storm. Monday pickup will now be on Tuesday, Tuesday pickup on Wednesday, Wednesday pickup on Thursday, and Thursday’s pickup will be on Friday.
An Emergency Parking Ban goes into effect in Greenfield as of 12:01 pm Sunday and will remain in effect through 6:00 pm on Monday. In Orange, a parking ban runs from Sunday afternoon until 8:00 am on Tuesday. The Montague DPW has declared a show emergency. Parking is not allowed on Turners Falls street until 10:00 pm Monday.
The Warming Center at the Salvation Army at 72 Chapman Street in Greenfield will be open from 2:00 pm Sunday through 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
Franklin County Now will provide more information during the storm.