May 2017

Severe Weather Coordination Message #2 – Wednesday 5/31/17 Severe Weather Potential

May 31, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are likely to develop late Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening across Western, Central and Northern Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall with the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has upgraded this area to a slight risk for severe weather for Wednesday with a marginal risk area surrounding the slight risk area into parts of Eastern Massachusetts. Timeframe for severe weather activity is in the 4-10 PM EDT timeframe..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 4 PM EDT to monitor the severe weather potential..

At 1030 AM EDT, satellite and radar imagery shows cloud cover over Southern New England with some shower activity over western and southern parts of the NWS Taunton coverage area. This activity is moving northeast with significant clearing over New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This clearing should make its way from west to east across the region in the midday to early afternoon. This should allow the necessary heating and destabilization to take place to allow for an increasing potential of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms for Wednesday Afternoon and Evening across portions of Southern New England particularly north and west of the Boston to Providence corridor and especially over Northern Connecticut and Western, Central and Northern Massachusetts. There continues to be sufficient wind shear profiles aloft along with good cooling aloft to help with strong to severe thunderstorm development. The key item that will determine the severe weather potential and coverage of strong to severe thunderstorms is the amount of heating and destabilization that can occur. If the clearing works from west to east as expected, this should allow a level of severe weather potential to be realized. If clouds remain over the area, it would limit the severe weather potential in the region.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 4 PM EDT to monitor the severe weather potential. This will be the last coordination message on this severe weather potential as we shift to operations mode later this afternoon. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook, Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and the SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

NWS Taunton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.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
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Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday 5/31/17 Severe Weather Potential

May 30, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms possible to likely Wednesday afternoon and evening across Western, Central and Northern Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall with the potential for urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has this area in a marginal risk for severe weather for Wednesday..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely Wednesday Afternoon and Evening to monitor the severe weather potential..

The potential exists for a round of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms for Wednesday Afternoon and Evening across portions of Southern New England particularly north and west of the Boston to Providence corridor and especially over Northern Connecticut and Western, Central and Northern Massachusetts. There will be sufficient wind shear profiles aloft along with good cooling aloft to help with strong to severe thunderstorm development. The key item that is uncertain is the amount of clearing to allow for heating and destabilization of the atmosphere. If cloud cover remains over the area, it would mean a more limited severe weather potential while more sunshine would yield greater heating and destabilization and a more organized severe weather threat.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely Wednesday Afternoon and evening to monitor the severe weather potential. Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 AM Wednesday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook, Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and the SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

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

NWS Taunton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2017/day2otlk_20170530_1730.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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Special Announcement: WX4NHC presents award to NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb at Hurricane Hunters Tour

May 29, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

From Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, a story on an award presented to now former Director of the National Hurricane Center, Dr Rick Knabb, by the Amateur Radio team at WX4NHC the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center. Dr Knabb is now at The Weather Channel. Photos provided by Julio-WD4R are on the WX1BOX Facebook page.

Report on Our WX4NHC Appreciation Award to NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb

The Amateur Radio Group at the National Hurricane Center WX4NHC presented NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb with an award of appreciation during the Hurricane Hunters Tour. Dr. Knabb had announced his departure from NHC to join The Weather Channel.

Dr. Knabb will be greatly missed at NHC, especially by the volunteer Amateur Radio Operators at WX4NHC, who enjoyed many years of his welcome and support. Rick’s smile and enthusiasm was always contagious.

His positive communications with the public; exemplary. The “Hurricane Hams” at WX4NHC wish Dr. Knabb all the best of success.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Special Announcement: WX4NHC Annual Station Test Event Report – Saturday May 27th, 2017

May 29, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

The Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC, Annual station test report has been received from Julio Ripoll-WD4R, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator. His report is posted below. Pictures from the station event are posted on the WX1BOX Facebook page. We appreciate everyone who checked into the Annual station test whether it be via Echolink/IRLP or HF, VHF and the many other modes used in the station test. Below is the WX4NHC Annual Station Test Event Report from Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator, WD4R-Julio Ripoll:

WX4NHC Annual Station Test Event Report – Saturday May 27th, 2017

We had a very successful WX4NHC Radio Station Test yesterday (Saturday May 27th, 2017). All of our radio and computer equipment and new main HF Dipole antenna worked well. We feel that our equipment will perform well if needed during this hurricane season.

We logged a total of 196 communications contacts throughout the US, Canada, Caribbean and Europe. Total time on-the-air was about 8 hours and we used all of the communications modes available at our station; HF, VHF, UHF, several digital radio modes (EchoLink, IRLP, DMR, D-Star, D-RATS) and digital HF messaging (Winlink).

We tested the Florida Statewide SARNet network which connects more than 26 VHF/UHF Repeaters and EOC Offices. Our UHF Repeater at FIU campus is part of the SARNet system, that is sponsored by the State of Florida DOT. We contacted Several stations throughout all parts of Florida from Miami, Tampa to Tallahassee State EOC.

Some of our interesting contacts:

Canadian Hurricane Center VE1MBR (Bob Robichaud), Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it was 50F; it was 93F in Miami at that time. Bob sends many thanks for the great cooperation between the Hurricane Centers and WX4NHC during Hurricane Season. Lafayette, LA EOC, Slidell NWS, San Juan PR EOC, and as far as Germany and Tel Aviv Israel.

Rob KD1CY operated Net Control for the VoIP Hurricane Net from WA1EMA at Acushnet, Mass Emergency Management Agency. The Asst. Director of Acushnet EMA (Ed KA1RSY) also took time to make a contact and send his cool regards (it was 64F up there and we were still hot in Miami).

Many of our contacts were with individual Amateur Radio Operators that volunteer as Skywarn Spotters for their local NWS offices and also participate in the Hurricane Watch Net on HF during hurricanes. One of them “Debbie” WX9VOR from Aurora, IL was very active relaying surface reports during Hurricane Mathew last year.

Thanks again to everyone that participated in our annual WX4NHC Pre-Hurricane Season station test.

We hope our services are not needed during this hurricane season. But if needed, we are ready to provide NHC backup communications and ready to receive those important Surface Reports from stations inside the hurricane.

Your Surface Report or your Relay can make a big difference.

73, Julio – WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 37 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Respectfully Submitted,

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Special Announcement: 2017 WX4NHC Annual On-Air Communications Station Test

May 25, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

Please see the following information from WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator on the 2017 WX4NHC On-Air Communications Test which will be held this Saturday May 27th, 2017 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT (1300-2100 UTC) across various bands and modes on Amateur Radio. We encourage Amateur Radio Operators in our region to participate.

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Station Test
Saturday, May 27th , 2017 from 9AM- 5 PM EDT (1300z- 2100z)
This will be our 37th year of public service at NHC.

The purpose of this event is to test Amateur Radio Station equipment,
antennas and computers prior to this year’s Hurricane Season, which starts
June 1st and runs through November 30th.

This event is good practice for Ham Radio Operators world-wide as well as
NWS Staff to become familiar with Amateur Radio communications available
during times of severe weather.

We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging
signal reports and basic weather data exchange (“Sunny”, or “Rain”, etc.)
with any station in any location.

WX4NHC will be On-The-Air on HF, VHF, UHF , 2 & 30 meter APRS and WinLink
wx4nhc@winlink.org subject must contain “//WL2K”.
We will try to stay on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency 14.325 MHz most of
the time.

Due to space and equipment limitations, we will have 2 operators per shift,
we cannot be everywhere and every mode at the same time.
You may be able to find us on HF by using one of the DX Spotting Networks,
Such as the DX Summit Web Site: http://www.dxsummit.fi/Search.aspx

We will also be on VoIP Hurricane Net 4pm-5pm EDT (2000-2100z)
(IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). http://www.voipwx.net/

Florida VHF & UHF Repeaters will be contacted.

QSL Cards are available via WD4R.
Please send your card with a S.A.S.E.
Please do NOT send QSLs directly to the Hurricane Center address, as it will
get delayed.

Due to security measures;
NO VISITORS will be allowed entry to NHC without prior clearance from NHC
PIO and Security.
Only WX4NHC Operators on the pre-approved operating schedule will be allowed
entry.

For more information about WX4NHC, please visit our website
www.wx4nhc.org

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Thursday Night 5/25/17-Friday Morning 5/26/17 Storm Potential

May 25, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Storm system combined with high astronomical tides is expected to bring minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide late tonight to East Coastal Massachusetts, heavy rainfall with urban and poor drainage flooding possible across portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area and the potential for wind gusts to around 40 MPH at the coast..
..A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 10 PM Thursday Evening to 3 AM Friday Morning for Eastern Essex, Suffolk, Eastern Norfolk, Eastern Plymouth, Barnstable and Nantucket counties for minor coastal flooding of shore roads at the time of high tide. The greatest threat is over the North Shore of Massachusetts..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for any minor coastal flooding reports for the late night high tide as well as for any rainfall reports, urban and poor drainage flooding and any wind damage/wind measurement reports overnight. This will be the only coordination message for this storm system unless an upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

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 Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

Respectfully Submitted,

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Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Thursday Evening 5/18/17-Early Friday Morning 5/19/17 Severe Weather Potential

May 18, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..Record heat will give way to the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms over portions of Western Massachusetts and Northwest and North-Central Connecticut as a cold front approaches. Strong to damaging winds, hail, lightning and torrential downpours with urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats. The timeframe is between 6 PM to 12 AM this evening..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed portions of Western Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut in a marginal risk of severe weather with a slight risk of severe weather into portions of Berkshire County Massachusetts..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the severe weather threat this evening in Western New England. Strong to Severe thunderstorms will likely weaken as they cross into central and eastern parts of New England due to loss of daytime heating and marine influences..

Record heat is expected across Southern New England today. A cold front will approach from New York State as we get into this evening. While the cold front will move through past peak heating, the record heat expected over the area will mean warmer temperatures as we get into this evening providing sufficient heating and destabilization coupled with strong winds aloft and a triggering mechanism with the cold front for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms and SPC has placed portions of Western Massachusetts and Northwest and North-Central Connecticut in a marginal to slight risk for severe weather as stated in the headlines. The timeframe for severe weather is anytime between 6 PM and 12 AM this evening. Activity should weaken as it moves eastward as further loss of daytime heating and marine influences weaken the thunderstorms.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the severe weather threat this evening in Western New England. Strong to Severe thunderstorms will likely weaken as they cross into central and eastern parts of New England due to loss of daytime heating and marine influences. This will likely be the only coordination message on this severe weather potential unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook and the NWS Taunton Special Weather Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

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

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

NWS Taunton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #2 – Saturday 5/13/17-Sunday 5/14/17 Coastal Storm Potential

May 13, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..A rare May coastal storm still expected to bring a soaking rainfall of 1-1.5″ with a few locations potentially in the 1.5-2.5″ range with a low risk of urban and poor drainage flooding. Rain will start a bit later than expected spreading west to east late this afternoon and evening with a period of heavier rainfall expected overnight into Sunday Morning. Stronger winds now expected along portions of the coastal plain..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 11 PM Saturday Night to 800 PM Sunday Evening for Eastern Essex and Eastern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts as well as Cape Cod and the Islands for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with wind gusts in the 45-50 MPH range. With trees becoming fully leaved, these winds could bring isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. Other parts of coastal Southern New England could see wind gusts in the 40-45 MPH range with wind gusts of around or near 40 MPH in parts of interior Eastern New England..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions from this storm system today through Sunday for rainfall totals, any flooding and criteria wind gust measurements and wind damage reports. This will be the last coordination message on this storm system unless an upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Experimental Enhanced 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

NWS Taunton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

Respectfully Submitted,

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Special Announcement: Prevailing Winds SKYWARN Newsletter – Spring 2017 Edition & Weather Eye – Cooperative Observer Newsletter – Spring 2017 Edition Posted

May 13, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

The Spring 2017 edition of the Prevailing Winds SKYWARN Newsletter is now available. Links to the Spring 2017 Prevailing Winds SKYWARN Newsletter appear below:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/Iss7vol1_newslettermay2017.pdf
https://www.weather.gov/media/box/prevailing_winds/2017_05_prevailing_winds.pdf

An archive of Prevailing Winds SKYWARN Newsletters can be seen via the following link:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/3288

There are many interesting stories in the Spring 2017 Prevailing Winds SKYWARN Newsletter including a summary of the most critical SKYWARN Activations and Amateur Radio Operations during the winter of 2016-2017.

Also, the Spring 2017 edition of the Cooperative Weather Observer Letter called The Weather Eye is now available and can be seen via the following links:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/coop_2017_05_wxeye.pdf
https://www.weather.gov/media/box/coop/coop_2017_05_wxeye.pdf

An archive of Weather Eye Cooperative Weather Observer letters can be seen via the following link:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/3289

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Saturday 5/13/17-Sunday 5/14/17 Coastal Storm Potential

May 13, 2017 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all…

..A rare May coastal storm will bring a soaking rainfall of 1-2″ with a few locations potentially in the 2-3″ range with a low risk of urban and poor drainage flooding and strong winds currently expected to be just below Wind Advisory level along coastal areas of Southern New England with wind gusts to around 40 MPH..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions from this storm system today for rainfall totals, any flooding and wind damage reports. This will be the only coordination message on this storm system unless an upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

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

NWS Taunton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

Respectfully Submitted,

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