A cold front moved across eastern New York and western New England on Wednesday, December 10th, ushering a cold airmass into the region. A low pressure system developed over the southeast states Wednesday and Wednesday night. This storm then headed northeast Thursday and Thursday night, December 11th, with precipitation spreading northward well in advance of the low. The low continued to track northeast, passing over the mid Atlantic region late Thursday night, and over the New York City Metropolitan area and southern New England Friday morning, December 12th. The low then moved to the Canadian Maritimes Friday night.
As the storm approached, warmer air moved in aloft, and with a cold airmass remaining in place at the surface, this set the stage for a significant mixed precipitation event. The precipitation came down heavy at times, especially Thursday night. Hourly precipitation rates of one quarter to one third of an inch were reported for several hours in the form of freezing rain across much of the region. The precipitation changed back to snow before ending early Friday afternoon. Total ice accretion from freezing rain ranged from one half to one inch, with the greatest amounts occurring across higher elevations of eastern Berkshire County. Some sleet and snow were also mixed in, with as much as 3 inches reported at Alford.
The ice storm resulted in widespread damage to trees and resultant power outages across Berkshire County in western Massachusetts, where an estimated 10,000 utility customers lost power. Many schools and businesses were shut down for several days due to the loss of power, and impassable roads from extensive fallen debris, resulting in significant economic and societal impacts. States of emergency were also declared across portions of Berkshire County. The hardest hit area was across the higher elevations within Berkshire County.
Bitterly cold temperatures followed in the wake of the storm Saturday and Sunday, compounding the power outages across the region. Numerous warming shelters were setup to assist those who were without power and heat.