Storm Coordination Message #3 – Thursday 1/2/14-Friday 1/3/14 Potential Coastal Storm Event

January 1, 2014 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Happy New Year to all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators..
..Strong Coastal Storm taking aim on Southern New England Thursday into Friday. The peak of the storm and the worst conditions are expected Thursday Night into Friday Morning. The coastal storm has the potential to bring heavy snow region wide with near blizzard conditions at the coast, strong winds near and at the coast and minor to moderate coastal flooding to East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the entire NWS Taunton Coverage Area for late tonight through Friday Morning. A widespread 6-12″ snowfall is expected with portions of Eastern Massachusetts potentially receiving 8-14 inches of snow with locally higher amounts. Near Blizzard conditions are possible along portions of the Eastern Massachusetts coast line with sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH possible. In the interior, winds of 10-20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH are possible..
..A Coastal Flood Watch is now in effect for East Costal Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands from Thursday Morning through Friday Afternoon for the potential of minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of high tides Midday Thursday, late night Thursday and midday Friday..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely some time on Thursday lasting through mid-afternoon Friday. Overnight SKYWARN Operations at NWS Taunton are likely as well..

Overnight, some computer models have trended a bit stronger with a similar track as prior runs with the strong coastal storm taking aim on Southern New England. A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area for late tonight through Friday Morning. The headlines depict the potential scenario at hand and snowfall amounts. It is noted that on Thursday, along and south of the Mass. Pike, there may be an initial burst of snow and then a lull before conditions deteriorate Thursday Night. North of the Mass. Pike there could be an extended period of steady snow before it becomes heavier Thursday Night.

Near Blizzard conditions are possible along portions of the Eastern Massachusetts coast line including Cape Cod and the Islands as sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH will be possible. Inland, winds of 10-20 MPH with gusts of 30 MPH are possible. While near blizzard conditions will be possible due to the strong winds and heavy snow along the coast, the snow is still right now expected to be a lighter and fluffier snow and winds are still not expected to be as strong as the February 2013 blizzard. Isolated pockets of tree and wire damage will be possible along the Eastern Massachusetts coast line and Cape Cod and the Islands but the extent of any damage from a wind perspective is still right now expected to be less than the February 2013 blizzard. This will continue to be monitored. Like with any larger storm, it is always good to be prepared and have any battery operated and generator equipment prepared just in case and if its not needed, you will be better prepared for the next major storm.

A Coastal Flood Watch is now in effect for East Coastal Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands from Thursday Morning through Friday Afternoon for the potential of minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of high tides midday Thursday, late night Thursday and midday Friday. Tides are astronomically high and this coupled with a long period of onshore winds will create the threat of minor to moderate coastal flooding. If the storm were to slow down over the course of Friday, the midday Friday high tide could have the highest concerns for more significant coastal flooding and this will be monitored.

As mentioned in the prior coordination message, during and after the storm passes, bitterly cold air will affect the region later Thursday Night through Saturday and into Sunday. It will be the coldest air of the winter season to date. This could have an impact on schools or other buildings where heat has been turned down for school vacation weeks where vacations extend into the Thursday/Friday period or other reasons. It is advised to raise heat in these buildings where needed to avoid frozen/bursting pipes in various buildings. Also, portable space heaters should be properly maintained to avoid any overheating and fire issues.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely some time on Thursday lasting through mid-afternoon Friday. Overnight SKYWARN operations at NWS Taunton are likely as well. The next coordination message will be posted by 10 PM this evening. Below are the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, Special Weather Statement for the Bitter Cold conditions, Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Taunton Snowfall Forecast Map:

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

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

NWS Taunton Special Weather Statement on Bitter Cold Conditions:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

NWS Taunton Snowfall Forecast Map:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/StormTotalSnow/index.php

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
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