Berkshire County snowstorm alerts

Berkshire County — According to numerous weather forecasts, heavy snow is expected to fall throughout Berkshire County from early Sunday morning, January 25, to Monday night, January 26.

Total snow accumulation estimates range from 12 to 24 inches.

The following list of weather-related alerts by town will be updated as needed.

To report a power outage, downed power line, or if your heat goes out:

National Grid: 800-465-1212 or go to the company’s website at this link;
Eversource: 800-592-2000 or go to the company’s website at this link;
Berkshire Gas: 800-292-5012 or go to the company’s website at this link.

As of Sunday, January 25 at 10 p.m., no outages have been reported in the Berkshire County area.

School districts

The Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Southern Berkshire Regional School District, and Pittsfield Public Schools have all declared a snow day for Monday. January 26. All classes are cancelled.

Great Barrington

In anticipation of the winter storm, the town has issued the following notifications and public safety reminders. The town encourages residents to monitor conditions and follow all guidance to ensure public safety.

All non-essential services closed

All non-essential town offices and programs will be closed Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26, 2026. This closure includes the Transfer Station, Mason and Ramsdell Libraries, the Senior Center, Town Hall, Housatonic Community Center, and the South County Connector Transportation.

The Monday, January 26, Selectboard meeting will be held via zoom only.

Winter parking ban reminder

The parking ban remains in effect. Vehicles are prohibited from parking along public ways in order to expedite plowing and sanding operations. Any vehicles found in violation of this parking ban may be subject to ticketing and towing at the owner’s expense.

Sand available for residents

Free sand is available to residents in two- to five-gallon bucket loads, maximum, at the following locations:

Courthouse — intersection of Gilmore Avenue and Anderson Street
Meadow Street, Housatonic — near the basketball court
Transfer Station — across from Monument Mountain Regional High School

Safety Reminders

CodeRED: The Town will use the CodeRED mobile app throughout the storm to share time-sensitive updates. Residents who use CodeRED must update the app to ensure they continue to receive push notifications. Those not yet registered are strongly encouraged to sign up to receive alerts by phone, text, or email. Signup online here.

Editor’s note: The town’s Public Relations Department sent the following press release on Sunday, January 25:

With an upcoming winter storm forecasted for Sunday and Monday, the Town of Great Barrington would like to remind residents of our snow removal and winter operations procedures.

• Emergency routes
• Major arterials and collector roads
• School bus routes
• Hills, curves, and intersections

• Widen travel lanes
• Clear intersections
• Push snow back to curb lines
• Address drifting and refreeze conditions

• Prepare your vehicle for winter driving.
• Reduce your speed and keep extra distance between vehicles.
• Do not attempt to pass plows or sanders.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during storms.
• Park vehicles fully off the roadway and out of plow paths.
• Do not push, blow, or shovel snow into streets or onto sidewalks; this is a violation of state law.
• If there is a catch basin or fire hydrant near your home, help by keeping it clear if it is safe to do so.

Pittsfield

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for Pittsfield that is currently in effect from this Friday evening through Saturday afternoon and a Winter Storm Warning from Sunday into Monday. 

Trash and recycling pickup for Monday, January 26 is canceled. Collection will resume on Tuesday, January 27 and will be on a one-day delay for the remainder of the week.

Please be advised that due to impending inclement weather expected, no on-street parking, including on both sides of the street, will be allowed between 7 p.m. Saturday, January 24 through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 26. 

Residents in and around downtown Pittsfield are encouraged to use the McKay Street parking garage for parking, which will be open to the public free of charge starting Saturday, January 24 through the duration of the snow event.

All other existing and signed parking regulations remain active. Non-permitted vehicles are prohibited from parking or standing in any open municipal or school parking lot between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. Vehicles found in violation of the above parking regulations may be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense. 

For residents looking for some relief from the cold, the Berkshire Athenaeum will be open for regular business hours on Saturday, January 24, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. In addition, the Athenaeum will open their auditorium space only on Sunday, January 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No other services will be available in the Athenaeum on Sunday. For those that are seeking shelter overnight, please visit the warming center at the Pearl located at 21 Pearl Street, will open early on Sunday at 4pm and be available though Tuesday at 8am in which they will return to normal hours of operation (10pm-8am everyday). 

To report any emergencies, please call 911. If you have a non-emergency, storm-related concern that you need to report, please call the city’s Highway Department at (413) 499-9314, press option #2. You can also email the Highway Department at dpw@cityofpittsfield.org. 

According to the National Weather Service, travel conditions will be dangerous to impossible at times due to expected white-out conditions and limited visibility. Please avoid unnecessary travel when possible. 

City residents are further advised that sidewalks and ramps abutting their property must be cleared of snow within 24 hours of the storm’s end. As a reminder, it is a violation of city ordinance to plow or otherwise dispose of snow from their property onto city streets and sidewalks.  Residents are also encouraged to clear snow from around fire hydrants located near their properties.

Egremont

The Transfer Station and Recycling Center will be closed on Sunday, January 25.

The Egremont Free Library will be closed on Monday, January 26. It will be open Saturday, January 24, from 9:00 AM to Noon.

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, January 26.

Lee

A snow emergency has been declared from Sunday, January 25 12 p.m. through Monday, January 26 at 5 p.m.

No on-street parking is permitted town-wide during this period. Vehicles parked on streets are subject to fines and possible towing at the owner’s expense. Municipal parking areas may be used.

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, January 26.

Lenox

The town has declared a snow emergency beginning Sunday, January 25 at 12 p.m. continuing through Monday, January 26 at 5pm.  Any vehicles parked on any street, town wide, will be towed at the owner’s expense for snow removal purposes.

Lenox Affordable Housing Trust is cancelling the Housing Vision Session scheduled for Monday, January 26 at 6 p.m. at the Community Center. 

Otis

The Transfer Station and the Otis Town Hall will be closed on Monday, January 26.

Sandisfield

The Town of Sandisfield is advising residents to prepare for a significant winter storm expected to impact the area from Sunday, January 25 through Monday, January 26.

During certain periods of the storm, snowfall is expected to accumulate at a rapid rate, which may make road conditions hazardous and travel difficult. While the Sandisfield Department of Public Works will be actively maintaining roads throughout the storm, there may be times when conditions deteriorate faster than crews can safely keep up. DPW staff will be working to the best and safest of their ability throughout the event.

Residents are strongly encouraged to limit travel during the storm, particularly during periods of heavy snowfall. If you experience a road-related issue or have a concern, please contact DPW Superintendent Derek Boomsma at (413) 717-7627.

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for CodeRED, the Town’s emergency notification system to receive timely updates regarding road conditions, closures, and other important advisories. Click here to register.

Warming Station Information:

Due to the forecasted extreme cold, Town Hall, located at 66 Sandisfield Road, will serve as a warming station from Saturday, January 24 through Monday, January 26.

Residents who may need access or transportation to the warming station should contact the Sandisfield Police or Fire Department for assistance.

The town urges residents to plan ahead, use caution, and check on neighbors who may be vulnerable during this storm.

The town’s transfer station will be closed on Sunday, January 25.

Sheffield 

Due to the forecasted snowstorm, the Transfer Station will be closed on Sunday, January 25th. 

Stockbridge 

The Town of Stockbridge is declaring a snow emergency from noon Sunday through Monday at 5 p.m. No on street parking will be allowed in order to provide for snow removal. Any vehicles parked on any streets, town wide, will be towed at the owner’s expense. Town Hall and the Transfer Station will be closed on Monday.

West Stockbridge

Due to the Winter Storm from Sunday morning through Monday evening, the West Stockbridge Town Offices and Library will be closed on Monday, January 26. If you lose power or heat, please feel free to come to the Town Hall for shelter in the gym.  The Police Department will be on duty throughout the storm.

We advise everyone to stay home and off the roads unless you have an emergency.  Travel safely if you must go out.

Berkshire Humane Society