Storm Coordination Message #2 – Late Sunday Night 2/22/26 – Early Tuesday AM 2/24/26
Hello to all…
..Major Winter Storm/Blizzard Potential increasing across all of Southern New England with the blizzard potential particularly across Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts but possibly extending into portions of Northern Connecticut, Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Strong to damaging winds and the possibility of a wet consistency to the snow particularly across Southeast New England will result in pockets of wind damage and power outages. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is also likely..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect from late Sunday Afternoon through Tuesday Morning for the entire NWS Norton coverage area except for Northern Connecticut where the watch starts Sunday Morning for a widespread 10-18″ with higher amounts 18″ or more in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts with even higher amounts possible in isolated locations or in a narrow 25-50 mile wide band of heavier snow..
..Blizzard conditions are possible in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts with wind gusts to 60 MPH and higher gusts likely. Wind Gusts in Central and Northeast Massachusetts will be between 50-60 MPH and wind gusts to 50 MPH likely in the rest of the coverage area..
..The High Wind Watch for Cape Cod and the Islands has been merged into the Winter Storm Watch due to the potential for blizzard conditions and other areas expected to experience high winds are covered under the Winter Storm Watch for the same reason..
..A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect from Late Sunday Night to Tuesday Morning for East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands for minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of high tides during this timeframe resulting in potential shore road closures..
..ARES/RACES Groups should closely monitor the progress of this system particularly in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island but all areas should monitor. Preparations to have battery/generator powered equipment should be completed. If you do not lose power, you will be better prepared for any potential event that causes power disruption..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets likely for this potentially major multi-hazard winter storm. These nets will likely start Sunday Evening in eastern areas and perhaps earlier in portions of Northern Connecticut. An initial Amateur Radio Net schedule will be posted if not Saturday Evening, Sunday Morning. Pictures/videos of the storm can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..
A coastal storm will potentially take aim on Southern New England late Sunday Night into early Tuesday Morning. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors include:
1.) Storm track trends continue to call for a significant winter storm for Southern New England with all areas impacted but the highest impacts in Eastern New England and particularly in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts. The time for any further offshore trend in the guidance is nearly closed.
2.) Watch areas will likely be converted to warnings later today.
3.) Additional specifics on snow totals, strong to damaging wind and coastal flood impacts have been provided with this update and will be further detailed in future updates.
4.) Preparations to have battery/generator powered equipment should be completed. If you do not lose power, you will be better prepared for any potential event that causes power disruption.
SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets likely for this potentially major multi-hazard winter storm. ARES/RACES Groups should closely monitor the progress of this system particularly in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island but all areas should monitor. Amateur Radio Nets are likely and a schedule is listed below. Pictures/videos of the storm can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated.
The next coordination message will be posted by 11 PM Saturday Evening, Below is the Winter Storm Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
NWS Boston/Norton MA Winter Storm Watch Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=WSW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
NWS Boston/Norton MA Coastal Flood Watch Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=CFW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
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