August 2016

Special Announcement: 5th Anniversary of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene Impacts for Southern New England

August 28, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Sunday August 28th, 2016 is the fifth anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene’s impacts on Southern New England. Irene caused widespread pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages across all of Southern New England, pockets of moderate coastal flooding along the coast line and significant flooding of rivers, streams and roads especially in portions of Western New England and into Eastern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire..
..To commemorate the anniversary, prior summary stories and reports of Irene are listed below including a video on Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irene based on pictures from many Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters..

ARRL ARES E-Letter link:
http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2011-09-28

NWS Taunton Post Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/psh_9_1_11.txt

NWS Taunton Local Storm Report:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/LSR_8_28_11.txt

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/pns_8_29_11.txt

Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irene Post Storm Video:
http://www.nsradio.org/video/features/recap/irene/index.html

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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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Special Announcement: Current Fall 2016 NWS Taunton SKYWARN Class Schedule

August 24, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

We are pleased to announce two Fall 2016 NWS Taunton SKYWARN classes for September. There is a possibility we may have a couple more SKYWARN Classes during the Fall season. You can check for updates via the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

Class schedule listed below:

Wednesday September 7th, 2016: 530-730 PM:
Edgartown Public Library
35 Robinson Road
Edgartown, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Friday September 9th, 2016: 1-4 PM:
Holiday Inn – Boxborough – Seminar Room
242 Adams Place
Boxborough Mass.
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Sponsorship: This training is being run in conjunction with the ARRL
New England Division Convention and Ham Radio Show. This is being done prior
to the Hamfest starting and no admission will be charged on Friday for those
interested in attending this SKYWARN Training session.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Post Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – EF1 Tornado in Concord Massachusetts Early Monday Morning 8/22/16

August 23, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..EF1 Tornado confirmed in Concord Massachusetts with straight-line wind damage also recorded in Concord, Massachusetts between 320 and 330 AM. This is the first nocturnal tornado to hit Southern New England/Massachusetts since July 11th, 1970. SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Concord Mass Police/Fire and EMS critical in relaying initial reports into NWS Taunton and we are grateful to all for their efforts..
..More isolated wind damage reports occurred in the Boylston, Marlborough, Sudbury, Billerica and Woburn Massachusetts area..
..Beneficial Rainfall occurred across portions of Southern New England from the overnight storm system but not enough to significantly reduce the drought and rainfall deficit in much of the region..
..Any additional damage photos from the Concord Mass area or other areas of Middlesex County Massachusetts can be sent as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or to the pics@nsradio.org email address. Credit will be given to the SKYWARN Spotter, Amateur Radio Operator, or individual who provided the photo. This will be the only Post Severe Weather Coordination Message unless additional significant information is made available. Below is the NWS Taunton Public Information Statement, Local Storm Report and WX1BOX Facebook Album..

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement – EF1 Tornado in Concord Massachusetts:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/pns_8_22_16.txt

NWS Taunton Local Storm Report – 8/22/16:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/lsr_8_22_16.txt

WX1BOX Facebook Album:
https://www.facebook.com/wx1box/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1270579259642756

Respectfully Submitted,

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Special Announcement: 25th Anniversary of Hurricane Bob’s Impact on Southern New England

August 22, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

On August 19th, 1991, Hurricane Bob impacted Southern New England as the last landfalling hurricane to strike the region. NWS Taunton has put together a web page summarizing the impacts of Hurricane Bob on the region. In addition, back in 2011 commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Bob’s impact on the region, NWS Taunton put a Public Information Statement out summarizing Bob’s impacts on the region and finally, local SKYWARN Spotter and Amateur Radio Operator, ML Baron-KA1WBH has a complete web page of videos and information on Bob’s impacts on South Coastal Massachusetts. Links to pertinent information on Hurricane Bob can be seen at the following links:

NWS Taunton Web Page – Hurricane Bob Summary:
http://www.weather.gov/box/hurricane_bob

WX1BOX Web Page Link on Hurricane Bob and the August 19th, 2011 Public Information Statement 20th Anniversary Statement:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/1234

KA1WBH-ML Baron – West Island Weather Station Hurricane Bob Summary Page:
http://www.westislandweather.com/hurricanebob1991.htm

We are approaching the main timeframe for Southern New England to be impacted from a tropical system. While it has been a very dry summer over the region, we should remain vigilant and prepared and monitor developments from the tropics as we approach the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Now is the time to review your personal/family preparedness plans for any type of tropical system impact and to review plans and be prepared to spot and report conditions based on the SKYWARN reporting criteria in the event a tropical system impacts the region.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Sunday Evening 8/21/16-Early Monday Morning 8/22/16 Heavy Rainfall/Flood/Severe Weather Potential

August 21, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Convective showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are likely tonight across much of Southern New England between 9 PM to 1 AM in Western and Central New England and between 1 AM to 6 AM across Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The heavy rainfall and urban and poor drainage flooding associated with the heavy rainfall is the main concern but a secondary concern for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms with a strong to damaging wind component is also possible..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for reportable criteria conditions during the overnight hours..

A cold front will move through Southern New England overnight into early Monday Morning and will bring the first fall-like temperatures of the late summer for a couple of days to start the new work week. Ahead of the front, convective showers and thunderstorms are likely as the headlines depict the main concern heavy rainfall and urban and poor drainage flooding but there is a secondary concern for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms with a strong to damaging wind component as well. There is even the small chance for an isolated weak tornado or waterspout in Southeast New England if there is enough instability to tap into strengthening wind shear profiles. The most likely scenario is for the heavy rainfall and the potential for localized urban and poor drainage flooding but we cannot rule out an isolated severe thunderstorms with a localized strong to damaging wind threat as the front moves through the entire region and the possibility of a weak tornado/waterspout and that possibility confined to Southeast New England.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for reportable criteria conditions during the overnight hours. This will likely be the only coordination message on this severe weather potential unless Ops at NWS become required or a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and Area Forecast Discussion:

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #2 – Tuesday 8/16/16 – Severe Weather Potential

August 16, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms likely Tuesday after midday through evening across much of Southern New England. Strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning are the main threats but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out and is a secondary threat..
..The Storm Prediction Center has now placed much of Southern New England in a Slight Risk for severe weather with a marginal risk for severe weather for Cape Cod and the Islands..
..The timeframe for severe weather is now looking more like from midday today through late evening. This timeframe could be fine tuned as we go through the day..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is likely today. The start time of activation could be around 11 AN-Noon or towards mid-afternoon. A shortened coordination message will be issued if time allows to update the timeframe for Ops at NWS..

Tuesday has the potential to be an active severe weather day in Southern New England. A warm front will push its way through Southern New England in the morning and early afternoon followed by a pre-frontal trough and cold front later Tuesday and Tuesday Night. Right now, it is looking more like the threat for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will be later in the day (likely midday into late evening). As the warm front moves through, there appears to be enough cloud breaks for heating and destabilization. If that trend continues coupled with the sufficient strong wind shear profiles, it will set the stage for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning as the main threats but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out and is a secondary threat. The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded most of Southern New England to a Slight Risk for severe weather with Cape Cod and the Islands in a marginal risk for severe weather.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is likely today. The start time of activation could be around 11 AN-Noon or towards mid-afternoon. A shortened coordination message will be issued if time allows to update the timeframe for Ops at NWS. Below is the NWS Taunton Special Weather Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Tuesday 8/16/16 – Severe Weather Potential

August 16, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms likely Tuesday across much of Southern New England. Strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning are the main threats but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out and is a secondary threat..
..The Storm Prediction Center has parts of Western New England in a Slight Risk for severe weather with the rest of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather..
..Timeframe could be either two rounds with the first round between 7 AM-1 PM followed by a break and then a second round between 3-10 PM or all the activity could be centered after Noon Tuesday..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible as early as 7 AM with any morning convection with SKYWARN Self-Activation likely. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely for the afternoon and evening severe weather potential..

Tuesday has the potential to be an active severe weather day in Southern New England. A warm front will push its way through Southern New England in the morning and early afternoon followed by a pre-frontal trough and cold front later Tuesday and Tuesday Night. The warm front could bring a round of thunderstorms with frequent lightning and torrential rain and an isolated risk for strong to damaging winds and possibly even an isolated tornado and then more activity could occur after the warm front passes behind the pre-frontal trough and cold front. This activity could occur in the 7 AM-1 PM timeframe associated with the warm front followed by a brief break with more activity in the 3-10 PM timeframe or it could be a situation where activity will start around midday and last through early to mid evening. There will be strong wind shear for storms on Tuesday and instability levels despite potential cloud cover may also be sufficient given the level of wind shear and the position of the warm front to our region. The Storm Prediction Center has parts of Western New England in a Slight Risk for severe weather with the rest of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible as early as 7 AM with any morning convection with SKYWARN Self-Activation likely. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely for the afternoon and evening severe weather potential. The next coordination message will be posted by 800 AM Tuesday and may be a shortened coordination message depending on how the severe weather potential for Tuesday Morning evolves. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2016/day2otlk_20160815_1730.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #3 – Sunday 8/14/16 Severe Weather and Flash Flood Potential

August 14, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..After yet another round of severe weather and flash flooding for portions of Southern New England, one last round of severe weather and flash flooding is likely Sunday before a short break in the heat and humidity for the region. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed all of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. Strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall causing urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning are the primary threats..
..Also, intense heat and humidity continues. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for Hartford, County Connecticut, Kent, Washington and Southeast Providence Counties of Rhode Island and Bristol, and Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts away from the immediate coast for heat indices up to 107 degrees with high temperatures in the low 90s with mid 70s dewpoints. A Heat Advisory is in effect for much of the rest of the NWS Taunton Coverage area except for Northwest Massachusetts for heat indices up to 102 and temperatures in the upper 80s to around 90 with dewpoints in the mid 70s..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 100 PM today. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely again on Sunday..

Saturday brought another day of intense heat and humidity except for Northeast Massachusetts with another round of flash flooding and severe weather to portions to isolated to scattered areas of Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island and much of Massachusetts. One last day of intense heat and humidity will affect the entire area again on Sunday. The headlines mention the latest in Heat Advisories/Warnings for the area. Below are links to reports from Friday’s severe weather event:

NWS Taunton Local Storm Report:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nwus51.KBOX.html

WX1BOX Amateur Radio “Raw” Storm Report Log:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_8_14_16_1.txt

Another round of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Sunday Afternoon through early Sunday Evening. This continues to be caused by a frontal boundary near Southern New England. The boundary has pushed a bit further north which means parts of Northeast Massachusetts will be back to the heat and humidity and will have the potential to have another round of severe weather and flash flooding to the regions. Wind shear values will be the strongest they’ve been in the last 4 days of severe weather events. Instability will be strong and this combination should set off another round of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across much of Southern New England. The triggering mechanism will be a cold front that will put a brief end to the heat and humidity to start the work week.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 100 PM today. This will be the last coordination message posted on this series of severe weather events. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 and the NWS Taunton Excessive Heat Warning/Heat Advisory Statement:

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Saturday 8/13/16-Sunday 8/14/16 – Severe Weather/Flash Flood Potential

August 13, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Friday brought intense heat and humidity and a round of flash flooding and severe weather to portions of South-Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Two more rounds of high heat and humidity and severe weather is expected on Saturday and again on Sunday as a frontal boundary draped over Southern New England will set the for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning as the primary threat and strong to damaging winds as a secondary threat through the period..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed parts of Western New England in a slight risk for severe weather with much of the rest of central and east-central New England in a marginal risk for severe weather for today and a marginal risk for severe weather for much of Southern New England for Sunday..
..An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for Hartford County Connecticut and Eastern Hampden County Massachusetts for heat indices up to 107 with temperatures in the mid 90s and dewpoints in the mid 70s. A Heat Advisory is in effect from Noon to 7 PM Friday for Tolland and Windham Counties of Connecticut, Providence and Western Kent Counties of Rhode Island for heat indices of 104 with temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90s and Dewpoints in the low to mid 70s. Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories could be needed for portions of Southern New England again on Sunday..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 100 PM today. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely again on Sunday..

Friday brought intense heat and humidity and a round of flash flooding and severe weather to portions of South-Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Another round of intense heat and humidity is expected again Saturday with a bit of a reprieve in parts of Northeast Massachusetts with intense heat and humidity across the entire area again on Sunday. The headlines mention the latest in Heat Advisories/Warnings for the area. Below are links to reports from Friday’s severe weather event:

NWS Taunton Local Storm Report:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nwus51.KBOX.html

WX1BOX Amateur Radio “Raw” Storm Report Log:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_8_13_16.txt

Another round of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Saturday Afternoon through early Saturday Evening and again Sunday Afternoon through early evening. This continues to be caused by a frontal boundary near Southern New England. The boundary has pushed a bit further south which means parts of Northeast Massachusetts will have less heat and humidity and that may extend through much of Eastern Massachusetts so the Saturday severe weather potential is highest over Western and Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and Northern and Western Rhode Island. Wind shear values will remain marginal today though a bit stronger than Friday and wind shear values may again be stronger still on Sunday. Instability will be strong and set the stage for several rounds of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and extending through this evening with heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning as the primary threat and strong to damaging winds as a secondary threat through the period and then another round of similar conditions for Sunday afternoon and evening and then the heat and humidity breaks for a couple of days early next week.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 100 PM today. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely again on Sunday. The next coordination message will be posted either late Saturday Evening by 1130 PM or by 1100 AM Sunday Morning depending on how long Ops at NWS Taunton and Saturday’s activation will be. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 and Day-2 Outlooks and the NWS Taunton Excessive Heat Warning/Heat Advisory Statement:

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Friday 8/12/16-Sunday 8/14/16 – Severe Weather/Flash Flood Potential

August 12, 2016 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Friday and the weekend will be a very hot and humid stretch of weather for Southern New England. The heat and humidity and a frontal boundary sagging slowly through Southern New England will set the stage for several rounds of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning as the primary threat and strong to damaging winds as a secondary threat through the period..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather for Friday and again on Sunday with areas north and west of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather Saturday..
..A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 AM to 7 PM Friday for Eastern Franklin, Northern Worcester County Massachusetts, Eastern Massachusetts away from the South Coast, North-Central Rhode Island and Northern Connecticut for heat indices up to 103 degrees and temperatures in the low to mid 90s. Heat Advisories could be needed for portions of the area again this weekend..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely by 130 PM today and could be activated as early as 1230-100 PM. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely again Saturday and Sunday..

From Friday through this weekend, the weather will feature intense heat and humidity over much of the region with the warmest days likely on Friday and Sunday. A break in the heat and humidity will occur as we get into early next week. Heat Advisories are in effect for portions of Southern New England today and will likely be needed again this weekend.

Several rounds of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected between Friday Afternoon through this weekend. This will be caused by a frontal boundary approaching and moving slowly through Southern New England. Wind shear values will be marginal but instability will be strong and set the stage for several rounds of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and extending through this evening with heavy rainfall and the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning as the primary threat and strong to damaging winds as a secondary threat through the period. Exact areas that see isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will be difficult to pinpoint and will vary day to day over the region. SPC has a marginal risk for severe weather for both Friday and Sunday but areas in Western New England may see isolated strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely by 130 PM today and could be activated as early as 1230-100 PM. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely again Saturday and Sunday. The next coordination message will be posted either late Friday Evening by 1130 PM or by 1000 AM Saturday Morning depending on how long Ops at NWS Taunton and Friday’s activation will be. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 and Day-3 Outlooks and the NWS Taunton Heat Advisory Statement:

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

SPC Day-3 Convective Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day3otlk.html

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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