April 2015

Special Announcement: 2015 SKYWARN Training Class Schedule

April 22, 2015 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

We have a significant number of 2015 SKYWARN Training classes scheduled. Still in planning and will be completed soon for the Spring/Summer 2015 will be classes in Palmer and Belmont, Mass. A few additional classes will be planned for the Fall. Below are links to the SKYWARN Training Schedule and the current complete list of SKYWARN Training classes:

Web Links to SKYWARN Training Classes:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36
http://www.weather.gov/box/skywarnprogram#tab2

Complete schedule listing:

Tuesday April 28th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Cummington Town Hall
33 Main Street
Cummington, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Tuesday May 5th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Warren Fire Department
1 Joyce Road
Warren, RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: Registration required. Email Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo@rcn.com

Thursday May 7th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Andover CT Fire House
11 School Road
Andover CT
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: Registration required. Email Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo@rcn.com
Parking: If parking is not available at the fire department, overflow parking is available at the school 2 doors over.

Tuesday May 12th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Ashford Senior Center **NOTE LOCATION CHANGE**
25 Tremko Lane
Ashford, CT
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Wednesday May 13th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Center for Coastal Studies – Larkin Hall
5 Holway Avenue
Provincetown, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required
Parking: Please park in the town lot behind the building — NOT in the church lot next to the building.

Thursday May 14th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Mansfield Town Hall (3rd Floor)
6 Park Row
Mansfield, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Sponsored by: Mansfield Emergency Management Agency

Thursday May 14th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Ipswich Town Hall – Bottom Floor Training Room
25 Green Street
Ipswich, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Co-Sponsor: Ipswich Emergency Management Agency
Registration: None Required

Tuesday May 26th 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Holden Public Safety Building
1370 Main Street
Holden, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: Pre-registration is required. Pre-register via email to holden.cert@gmail.com

Wednesday May 27th, 2015 – 6-830 PM:
Maury Loonjens Memorial Library
35 Kingstown Road
Narragansett, RI
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None required

Tuesday June 2nd, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Norwell Fire Department Headquarters
300 Washington Street
Norwell, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Wednesday June 3rd 2015 – 7-10 PM
Maynard Public Library – The Roosevelt Room
77 Nason St
Maynard, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Thursday June 4th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Revere City Hall – City Council Chambers
281 Broadway
Revere, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Monday June 8th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Granby Senior Center (Behind Granby CT Town Hall)
15 North Granby Road
Granby, CT
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

Thursday June 11th, 2015 – 7-10 PM:
Marion Fire/EMS
50 Spring Street
Marion, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Wedsday April 22nd 2015 Strong Thunderstorm Potential

April 22, 2015 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..A cold front moving through the region will have the potential to bring heavy convective showers and the possibility of an isolated strong thunderstorm this afternoon and evening with the potential for strong wind gusts up to 50 MPH and small hail. Severe thunderstorms are currently not expected but this will be monitored..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor today’s conditions. This will be the only coordination message on this situation unless time allows and a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook..

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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Boston Marathon Weather and Storm Coordination Message #2 – Monday April 20th, 2015

April 19, 2015 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..A storm system is on track to bring rain, heavy at times, cool, damp, and some windy conditions below Wind Advisory levels during the timeframe of the Boston Marathon. After the marathon, rain and some windy conditions below Wind Advisory levels will continue with the possibility of minor coastal flooding at the time of the Monday Evening and overnight high tide cycle and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms. The cooler conditions on Monday despite the rain may be ideal for runners but not as ideal for volunteers and spectators. Volunteers and spectators along the route should dress accordingly given the current weather forecast..
..WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio Station at NWS Taunton, will activate at 600 AM to monitor weather conditions for the Boston Marathon and surrounding areas during this storm. Most conditions should stay below SKYWARN Reporting criteria but monitoring of weather conditions will occur throughout the day supporting the event and in case any conditions reach SKYWARN reporting thresholds..
..A Coastal Flood Advisory is now in effect from 8 PM-12 AM Monday Evening for southeast coastal Rhode Island and Southern Bristol and Southern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts. A Coastal Flood Advisory is now in effect from 12 AM Monday Evening through 4 AM Tuesday Morning. This is for minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide Monday Evening and during the overnight hours Monday Night into early Tuesday Morning..
..Eastern Massachusetts ARES has been mobilized for those ARES Amateurs not directly involved in the Boston Marathon for any incidents unrelated to activities in the Boston Marathon zone that need support..

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 20th. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message although for this year, there is a storm system that will affect the region Monday Morning through Monday Evening. The storm is expected to be below most SKYWARN reporting thresholds but could make for poor conditions for those outside for extended periods of time particularly for those who do not prepare for the conditions in advance. The storm conditions are also close enough to SKYWARN reporting criteria to warrant a coordination message.

The weather outlook for the Boston Marathon has a coastal storm system moving into the area. This will result in overcast skies with rain starting in the early to mid-morning. Rain will start between 7-10 AM in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and reach Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island between 10 AM-1 PM. Rain will start off light and then become heavy at times between Noon-2 PM in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and between 2-5 PM in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island including the marathon route. There will be some windy conditions as well with the rain. Winds will be out of the East at 15-20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH possible and around 35 MPH at the coast line. These winds are unlikely to cause any significant damage but it will add to the cool, raw feel to the day for volunteers and spectators. Total rainfall by Monday Evening near the end of the marathon is likely to be around 0.50-1″ of rain across the region. The rain will continue after the marathon is completed into Tuesday with total rainfall by the end of the event Tuesday Evening in the 1-2″ range with isolated higher amounts possible especially in southeast New England. Any thunderstorm activity at this time, looks to be after the marathon is completed but this will be monitored. Temperatures will be in the 40s to around 50 degrees. The wind will make conditions feel cooler with wind chills in the mid-30’s to lower 40’s.

After the marathon is completed, along coastal areas, minor coastal flooding is likely at the time of high tide Monday Evening and overnight across the Massachusetts and Rhode Island coast lines. A Coastal Flood Advisory is now in effect from 8 PM-12 AM Monday Evening for southeast coastal Rhode Island and Southern Bristol and Southern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts. A Coastal Flood Advisory is now in effect from 12 AM Monday Evening through 4 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Area Forecast Discussion with details on the upcoming storm for Marathon Monday:

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

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

NWS Taunton Area Forecast Discussion:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.fxus61.KBOX.html

It is noted that the 146.64-Waltham and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being used for Marathon operations. There will be no SKYWARN Nets on these frequencies. Other frequencies will be utilized as required and can be seen at the following link:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. Rain gear will be very important for this year’s marathon for volunteers and spectators. Runners will need to keep the conditions in mind accordingly as well. As you are constructing any medical tents along the route, while winds are not expected to be damaging in nature, the winds may be enough to effect any tents that are not tied down properly. Assured that they are tied down and staked properly to avoid any issues.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators:
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/mema/policies-for-2015-boston-marathon-spectators-and-participants.pdf

At the request of Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, Mike Neilsen-W1MPN, ARES Amateurs not directly involved in the Boston Marathon has been mobilized for any issues outside of the marathon zone. See the following link for further details:
http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/713

This will likely be the last coordination message on Boston Marathon weather. An additional shortened coordination message could be posted late Monday Afternoon/early Monday Evening regarding any storm related issues overnight Monday including the minor coastal flood potential. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring conditions for this year’s Marathon understand that this is an important function as well for situational awareness purposes. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

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Boston Marathon Weather and Storm Coordination Message #1 – Monday April 20th, 2015

April 19, 2015 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..A storm system will bring rain, heavy at times, cool, damp, and some windy conditions below Wind Advisory levels during the timeframe of the Boston Marathon. After the marathon, rain and some windy conditions below Wind Advisory levels will continue with the possibility of minor coastal flooding at the time of the Monday Evening and overnight high tide cycle and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms. The cooler conditions on Monday despite the rain may be ideal for runners but not as ideal for volunteers and spectators. Volunteers and spectators along the route should dress accordingly given the current weather forecast..
..WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio Station at NWS Taunton, will activate at 600 AM to monitor weather conditions for the Boston Marathon and surrounding areas during this storm. Most conditions should stay below SKYWARN Reporting criteria but monitoring of weather condition will occur throughout the day supporting the event and in case any conditions reach SKYWARN reporting thresholds..

The weather outlook for the Boston Marathon has a coastal storm system moving into the area. This will result in overcast skies with rain starting in the early to mid-morning. Rain will be heavy at times into early Monday Evening. There will be some windy condition as well with the rain. Winds will be out of the East at 15-20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH possible and around 35 MPH at the coast line. These winds are unlikely to cause any significant damage but it will add to the cool, raw feel to the day for volunteers and spectators. Total rainfall by Monday Evening is likely to be around 1″ of rain. The rain will continue after the marathon is completed into Tuesday with total rainfall by the end of the event Tuesday Evening in the 1-2″ range with isolated higher amounts possible. Any thunderstorm activity at this time, looks to be after the marathon is completed but this will be monitored.

After the marathon is completed along coastal areas, there is the possibility of minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide Monday Evening and overnight across the Massachusetts and Rhode Island coast lines. This will be monitored as well. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and Area Forecast Discussion with details on the upcoming storm for Marathon Monday:

NWS Taunton Area Forecast Discussion:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.fxus61.KBOX.html

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

Another coordination message will be issued by 9 PM Sunday Evening. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring conditions for this year’s Marathon understand that this is an important function as well for situational awareness purposes. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday Evening 4/8/15 Through Thursday Morning 4/9/15 – Light Wintry Precipitation Event

April 8, 2015 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Another round of winter weather for northern parts of the NWS Taunton coverage area Wednesday Night into Thursday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 PM tonight through 6 AM Thursday Morning for Franklin, Western Hampden, Western Hampshire, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 1″ of snow and a trace to less than a tenth inch of ice causing slippery travel conditions. Other areas near the Winter Weather Advisory area may see some wintry precipitation as well but the advisory area is where the highest risk of slippery travel condition will be..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor these conditions tonight through Thursday Morning. This will be the only coordination message on this event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Winter Weather Graphics..

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

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

NWS Taunton Winter Weather Graphics:
http://www.weather.gov/box/winter

Respectfully Submitted,

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Wind Coordination Message #1 – Saturday April 4th 2015 High Wind Potential

April 4, 2015 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Strong to Damaging Winds likely to cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is in effect for the entire NWS Taunton Coverage Area from 10 AM-8 PM Saturday for sustained winds of 15-25 MPH with gusts up to 50 MPH..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the strong winds throughout the day today. This will be the only coordination message on this event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

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

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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