Blizzard Coordination Message #4 – FINAL 12/26-12/27/10 Major Nor’easter Event

Hello to all…

..Major Winter Storm/Blizzard to Pound Southern New England. All travel and preparations for this dangerous severe winter storm should be completed no later than 3 PM ET..
..A Blizzard Warning remains in effect from Noon Sunday through 6 PM Monday for Southern Worcester County Massachusetts, Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island except for Cape Cod and the Islands for 12-20″ of snow likely with isolated 24″ amounts possible in the northern and western parts of the Blizzard Warning area. Blizzard conditions with near zero visibility and strong winds sustained at 30-40 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH and possibly even higher gusts possible in the Blizzard Warning area. Pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages will likely occur. It is noted that parts of the Southeast Massachusetts could see amounts closer to or a bit less than 12″ if enough mixing with sleet and rain occurs in this area and may not see blizzard conditions but they still could see a high impact due to damaging wind potential and heavy wet snow..
..A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Noon Sunday through 6 PM Monday for 12-18″ of snow and considerable blowing and drifting snow with reduced visibilities for Northern Connecticut, Western and North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Near Blizzard conditions with sustained winds of 25-30 MPH with gusts up to 45 MPH possible with some higher elevation locations gusting as high as 50 MPH probable..
..The Winter Storm Watch for Cape Cod and the Islands is canceled. In this area, 1-4″ of snow will occur but the precipitation is now predominately expected to be rain which will hold down snowfall amounts significantly but strong to damaging winds are likely in this area..
..A High Wind Warning is in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands for sustained winds 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH and the potential for even higher wind gusts. This will result in pockets of tree and power line damage..
..A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect from Late Sunday Night to Monday Afternoon for East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island. A widespread moderate coastal flood event is likely in this area with isolated pockets of major coastal flooding possible for the early Monday Morning high tide between 3-4 AM. A more minor coastal flood event is possible with the Monday afternoon high tide. The Coastal Flood Watch will likely be upgraded to a Coastal Flood Warning later today..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence at 3 PM Sunday Afternoon with Ops lasting through the overnight period well into the day on Monday Afternoon. ARES/RACES Groups should seek guidance from their local leadership on this potentially dangerous severe winter storm situation. Eastern Massachusetts ARES has been placed on stand-by for this situation starting at 5 PM Sunday Afternoon through Monday Evening. Massachusetts State EOC and Regional Offices are activating Sunday at 4 PM through Monday Afternoon at 4 PM..

Multi-model agreement and a high confidence forecast now for a major nor’easter winter storm/blizzard for much of Eastern Massachusetts north and west of the Cape Cod Canal, Rhode Island and Southern Worcester County Massachusetts. A Blizzard Warning remains in effect for this region from Sunday at Noon time through 6 PM Monday Evening. Total Snowfall of 15-20″ with isolated amounts of 24″ are likely in the Blizzard Warning area. In addition, damaging winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH and isolated higher gusts are likely. The combination of snow and wind will create dangerous travel conditions of zero visibilities and the potential for tree and power line damage and power outages in this region.

It is noted that across portions of Bristol and Plymouth County that there is a chance of more mixing with sleet and rain but not until after a significant snowfall occurs. The snow could also be heavy and wet and combined with strong winds could result and tree and power line damage and power outages. The Blizzard Warning may be reduced to a Winter Storm Warning for parts or all of these counties but even with that reduction in the warning status, a significant impact from the storm is still likely.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Southern New Hampshire, North-Central and Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut from Noon Sunday to 6 PM Monday. In this area, 12-18″ of snow is expected with sustained winds of 25-30 MPH with gusts 45 MPH and gusts up to 50 MPH in the higher elevations. This will create a period of near-blizzard conditions in this region with the possibility of isolated pockets of tree and power line damage.

A High Wind Warning is in effect from Noon Sunday to 6 PM Monday for all of Cape Cod and the Islands and the Winter Storm Watch for Barnstable and Dukes Counties of Massachusetts as well as Block Island Rhode Island has been canceled. Snowfall in this area now only appears to be on the order of 1-4″ of snow with a changeover to rain. That said, the wind and coastal flood impacts in this area are of significant concern.Damaging Winds are likely in this area with a High Wind Warning in effect for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH and even higher gusts possible. This will likely cause pockets of tree and power line damage and power outages.

A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect from late Sunday Night through Monday Afternoon for East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island. The high tide cycle at 3-4 AM ET will be the most problematic high tide with the potential for widespread moderate to isolated pockets of severe coastal flooding across north and east facing beach exposures. This situation will need to be monitored very closely. An upgrade to a Coastal Flood Warning is likely for the Monday Morning high tide. For the Monday Afternoon high tide cycle, some coastal flooding is possible but due to a change in wind direction to an offshore wind, coastal flood impacts will be less during that high tide cycle.

This has the potential to be a significant multi-faceted and dangerous severe winter weather event. All SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators are urged to monitor local SKYWARN Frequencies, the Echolink/IRLP New Enlgand Reflector system and HF frequencies during this major winter storm/blizzard situation and provide reports per the SKYWARN reporting criteria while being safe doing so. Best practice precision in reporting will be helpful as this information will be utilized by NWS Taunton forecasters for updating their forecasts and by local, state, and federal emergency management to get a near real-time feel for the conditions and damage the major winter storm/blizzard is bringing to the region. The WX1BOX Twitter account and both of my email addresses that send to the SKYWARN list will be monitored throughout the entire event. Storm damage and pictures of the major winter storm snow event are welcome to be sent to both email addresses for dissemination of info to NWS, Media and Emergency Management officials. Credit will be given to the Amateur Operator or SKYWARN Spotter who provided the pictures.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence no later than 3 PM Sunday Afternoon. ARES/RACES groups should closely monitor the storm situation and seek advice from local/regional ARES/RACES leadership on the situation. This is the last coordination message as we now go into operations mode. Below is the NWS Taunton Blizzard/Winter Storm Warning/Winter Storm Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, High Wind Warning Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Taunton Winter Storm Preparedness Public Information Statement:

NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Blizzard/Winter Storm Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement – Winter Storm Preparedness:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nous41.KBOX.html

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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Blizzard Coordination Message #3 – 12/26/-12/27/10 Major Winter Storm/Blizzard Event

Hello to all…

..Major Winter Storm/Blizzard to Pound Southern New England. Tonight through Sunday Morning is the time to prepare for this major winter weather event. All travel and preparations for this dangerous severe winter storm should be completed no later than 4 or 5 PM ET..
..A Blizzard Warning is in effect from Noon Sunday through 6 PM Monday for Southern Worcester County Massachusetts, Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island except for Cape Cod and the Islands for 15-20″ of snow likely with isolated 24″ amounts possible. Blizzard conditions with near zero visibility and strong winds sustained at 30-40 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH and possibly even higher gusts possible in the Blizzard Warning area. Pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages will likely occur..
..A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Noon Sunday through 6 PM Monday for 12-18″ of snow and considerable blowing and drifting snow with reduced visibilities for Northern Connecticut, Western and North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Near Blizzard conditions with sustained winds of 25-30 MPH with gusts up to 45 MPH possible with some higher elevation locations gusting as high as 50 MPH probable..
..A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Barnstable and Dukes Counties Massachusetts and Block Island Rhode Island from Sunday Afternoon through Monday Afternoon for the potential of 6″ or more of snow. In this area, the snowfall potential is not as certain as portions or all of this area could mix with or change to rain for a time holding down snow amounts and rain could be falling as the strongest winds approach this region..
..A High Wind Warning is in effect for Block Island and Nantucket Island for sustained winds 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH and the potential for even higher wind gusts..
..A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect from Late Sunday Night to Monday Afternoon for East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island. A widespread moderate coastal flood event is likely in this area with isolated pockets of major coastal flooding possible for the early Monday Morning high tide between 3-4 AM. A more minor coastal flood event is possible with the Monday afternoon high tide..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence at 3 PM Sunday Afternoon with Ops lasting through the overnight period well into the day on Monday Afternoon. ARES/RACES Groups should seek guidance from their local leadership on this potentially dangerous severe winter storm situation..

Multi-model agreement and a high confidence forecast now for a major nor’easter winter storm/blizzard for much of Eastern Massachusetts north and west of the Cape Cod Canal, Rhode Island and Southern Worcester County Massachusetts. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for this region from Sunday at Noon time through 6 PM Monday Evening. Total Snowfall of 15-20″ with isolated amounts of 24″ are likely in the Blizzard Warning area. In addition, damaging winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH and isolated higher gusts are likely. The combination of snow and wind will create dangerous travel conditions of zero visibilities and the potential for tree and power line damage and power outages in this region.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Southern New Hampshire, North-Central and Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut from Noon Sunday to 6 PM Monday. In this area, 12-18″ of snow is expected with sustained winds of 25-30 MPH with gusts 45 MPH and gusts up to 50 MPH in the higher elevations. This will create a period of near-blizzard conditions in this region with the possibility of isolated pockets of tree and power line damage.

A High Wind Warning is in effect from Noon Sunday to 6 PM Monday for all of Cape Cod and the Islands and a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Barnstable and Dukes Counties of Massachusetts as well as Block Island Rhode Island. Across the Winter Storm Watch area, there is a concern for rain mixing in with the snow in this region and the chances of 6″ or more of snow is lower in this area so a Winter Storm Watch is in effect to cover the winter storm threat. Damaging Winds are likely in this area with a High Wind Warning in effect for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH. This will likely cause pockets of tree and power line damage and power outages. Across Nantucket Island, a few inches of snow will occur before a changeover to rain along with the strong to damaging wind potential. A slightly further east track could result in warning snowfall amounts in the Winter Storm Watch area and potential for heavier snows on Nantucket Island.

A Coastal Flood Watch is in effect from late Sunday Night through Monday Afternoon for East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island. The high tide cycle at 3-4 AM ET will be the most problematic high tide with the potential for widespread moderate to isolated pockets of severe coastal flooding across north and east facing beach exposures. This situation will need to be monitored very closely. For the Monday Afternoon high tide cycle, some coastal flooding is possible but due to a change in wind direction to an offshore wind, coastal flood impacts will be less during that high tide cycle.

This has the potential to be a significant multi-faceted and dangerous severe winter weather event. All SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators are urged to monitor local SKYWARN Frequencies, the Echolink/IRLP New Enlgand Reflector system and HF frequencies during this major winter storm/blizzard situation and provide reports per the SKYWARN reporting criteria while being safe doing so. Best practice precision in reporting will be helpful as this information will be utilized by NWS Taunton forecasters for updating their forecasts and by local, state, and federal emergency management to get a near real-time feel for the conditions and damage the major winter storm/blizzard is bringing to the region.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence no later than 3 PM Sunday Afternoon. ARES/RACES groups should closely monitor the storm situation and seek advice from local/regional ARES/RACES leadership on the situation. The next coordination message will be issued by Noon Sunday and will likely be the last message before going into operations mode. Below is the NWS Taunton Blizzard/Winter Storm Warning/Winter Storm Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, High Wind Warning Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Taunton Winter Storm Preparedness Public Information Statement:

NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Blizzard/Winter Storm Warning/Winter Storm Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement – Winter Storm Preparedness:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nous41.KBOX.html

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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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UPDATE – SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2010 Friday Evening December 3rd at 7 PM Through Saturday December 4th, 2010 at 7 PM

**UPDATE TO FIRST PARAGRAPH ON CANCELLATION OF SPECIAL EVENT STATION AT
THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WEATHER CONFERENCE. REMAINDER IS UNCHANGED**

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX,
will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2010. In addition,
for the fourth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine
Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur
Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several
years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign W1BOS/MQE from
9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 4th, 2010. Due to equipment logistical issues at
the site of the Southern New England Weather Conference, the special
event station at the Southern New England Weather Conference, which will be
on  the same day as SRD, sponsored by the Worcester Emergency Communications
Team (WECT) will not be done at the site of the conference. Instead, WECT
will support SRD from their EOC in Worcester, Massachusetts.

This will be the 12th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its
anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once
again this year. This event was featured on page 62 of the December 2010
Issue of QST Magazine and web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day
can be seen at the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov
http://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-set-for-december-4

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be
utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes
on Saturday at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and
work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS,
feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a
response will be given. When you make contact, give your current
sky condition and temperature as required. Below is the tentative
schedule of operations:

Friday December 3rd, 2010:
7:00-7:30 PM:    146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM:    147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM:    145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM:    146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM:    146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM:   147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
10:00-10:30 PM:  146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.370-Coventry RI Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
10:30-11:00 PM:  145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM:  146.955-Barnstable PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the
*WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex
during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 4th, 2010:
7:00-8:30 AM:   146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM:   Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM:   145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM:  146.640-Waltham Repeater
10:00-10:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
10:30-11:00 AM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
11:00-11:30 AM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:30 AM-Noon:  146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
Noon-1:00 PM:   146.595 Simplex
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.130-Gloucester Repeater (PL: 107.2 Hz)
2:00-2:30 PM:   146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9)
2:30-3:00 PM:   146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4)
3:00-3:30 PM:   146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8)
3:30-4:00 PM:   147.165-Exeter, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:00-4:30 PM:   146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.37-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:30-5:00 PM:   145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:00-5:30 PM:   147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:30-6:00 PM:   449.375-Pack Monadnock, NH Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM:   146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0)
6:30-7:00 PM:   147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the
*WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex
during time slots if we run out of contacts.

The following is information EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN
Recognition Day. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the
event:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR  (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed) 
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS  (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
1100-1200: WX7PHX (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1200-1300: W7NWS  (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS) 
1400-1500: WX4HUN (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
1600-1800: WX4NC  (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX  (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep Time Slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed to keep Time Slot)
2300-2400: Open

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day.
They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass.
and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New
England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node:
9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the
system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition
Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in
past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on
IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices.
Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western
Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the
NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England
Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users,
you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users,
you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have
EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will
automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a
conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else.
This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference
considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our
web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information
on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web
site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the
*WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector
Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for there
support!

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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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