This week’s weather forecast includes a possibility of snow Thursday morning before 11 a.m., and a chance of rain and snow between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but people should not anticipate any kind of winter wonderland.
Due to morning temperatures in the mid 20s, Meteorologist Lenore Correia from the National Weather Service office in Taunton said there is a chance of snow Thursday in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. The northwest portion of Worcester county may also receive some snowfall.
Tuesday and Wednesday high temperatures will be 49 degrees, with lows in the mid 20s both days.
“If there is any precipitation early Thursday morning, it will most likely be snow, but it won’t accumulate much,” Correia said.
She said that accumulation would hit a ¼ inch at most, and impact places at higher elevations.
Rain or sleet is also likely if temperatures creep higher.
People “should not be worried, but they should be aware it’s a possibility. I don’t think it’s going to be anything significant,” Correia said.
Correia explained that early snow is not an indicator about how much snow the area will receive this winter.
In fact, the NWS Climate Predictor Center said the area is expected to have above normal temperatures in the next three months, and has a higher chance of experiencing an average winter.
Winter conditions won’t fully begin until late November, Correia said.
While early snowfall may take people by surprise, she said it is not anything to be concerned about.
“It’s not normal, but it’s not unheard of,” Correia said.
The earliest snowfall on record in Amherst was on Oct. 23, 2002, and the earliest measurable snowfall was Oct. 8, 1988, in the Worcester area.