Special Announcement: Public Information Statement – Friday 3/30/18 Update on NOAA Weather Radio Outage Since the Office Move

Hello to all…

NWS Boston/Norton issued a Public Information Statement on Friday 3/30/18 regarding the NOAA Weather Radio outage and that a couple more transmitters are back on air. Details can be seen at the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/PNS_noaa_wx_radio_move_3_30_18.txt

We will provide updates on the NOAA Weather Radio status as time allows. We’ll provide an update on the Amateur Radio station setup at the new NWS office building by the end of the weekend or Monday.

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

Read more

Special Announcement: Public Information Statement – Update on NOAA Weather Radio Outage Since the Office Move

Hello to all…

NWS Boston/Norton issued a Public Information Statement regarding the NOAA Weather Radio outage and that a couple transmitters are back on air. Details can be seen at the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/PNS_noaa_wx_radio_move_3_28_18.txt

We will provide updates on the NOAA Weather Radio status as time allows. We’ll provide an update on the Amateur Radio station setup at the new NWS office building by this weekend.

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

Read more

Special Announcement: National Hurricane Conference in Orlando Florida Amateur Radio Workshop to Be Livestreamed & Recorded – Tuesday 3/27/18 Amateur Radio Workshop 1030 AM-500 PM

Hello to all…

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2018 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in Orlando Florida. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. All Amateur Radio sessions are free. For 2018, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday March 27th, 2018 from 1030 AM-1215 PM EDT and 130-500 PM EDT. Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The session will be livestreamed and recorded. The live stream links follow below:

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and live streamed via Youtube. Livestream links below and these same links will serve as the links for the recorded session:

http://www.nsradio.org/stream

http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm

Here is the session breakdown:

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Eastern Daylight Time – EDT):

1030-1035 AM: Opening Remarks

1035-1105 AM: Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports (Dr. Ed Rappaport)

1105-1135 AM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)

1135 AM-1215 PM: ARRL “Force of Fifty Mission” and Caribbean Amateur Radio Response (KI1U)

—> NOTE: Speakers will be on a lunch break from 1215 PM-130 PM EDT

130-210 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Overview (WD4R)

210-240 PM: Hurricane Watch Net Overview, Personal Weather Stations and Backup Power and Antenna Overview (KB5HAV)

240-310 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)

—> NOTE: Speakers will be on a break from 310-330 PM EDT

330-415 PM: SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH)

415-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)

500-515 PM: Door Prize Raffles (In Person Audience Only)

We hope many of you can watch the livestream or see the recording of the Amateur Radio Workshop as the Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1st. Thanks to all for their support of the Amateur Radio Workshop and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program.

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

 

Read more

Special Announcement: NWS WFO Boston/Norton and NERFC resumed forecast operations in Norton, MA

Hello to all…

The National Weather Service Forecast Office has now moved to its new facility in Norton Massachusetts and has been renamed to the National Weather Service Forecast office Boston/Norton. A Public Information Statement and a few photos of the facility can be seen at the following link:

https://www.weather.gov/box/moveday

The Amateur Radio Station at the new weather office will be brought online likely over the next couple of weeks as there are still a few important communications issues that are still in the process of being resolved for NWS operations and they will take priority. Once those are resolved, the Amateur Radio Station will be brought online. On the nearest weekend or weeknight that work is completed, we will hold a communications test of the Amateur Radio equipment to test out the station.

It is very important to note that WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio station at NWS Boston/Norton, will feature all new Amateur Radios and antennas. The Eastern Region and national headquarters of NWS made it a point to get the new facility and our station, all new Amateur Radio equipment, as a thanks and in recognition to ongoing efforts to support the NWS Forecast Office during times of severe weather and understanding the high utilization that it has due to the dedicated volunteers that man the station and the thousands of Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters who report in during severe weather. This could not be done without your continued support.

We have renamed our WX1BOX Twitter to the Boston/Norton name and the Facebook name change to Boston/Norton is pending approval. We will also make appropriate changes to the static pages on the wx1box.org web site.

We will send out another special announcement when the new Amateur Radio station at the NWS Boston/Norton facility is on air. Thanks to all for their continued support of the now NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program and thanks to the city of Taunton for their support over the last 25+ years.

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

 

Read more

Storm Coordination Message #5 – Reduction of Storm Impacts – Wednesday Night 3/21/18-Thursday Morning 3/22/18

Hello to all…

..Nor’easter causing strong winds in Southeast New England but snowfall and bands of precipitation weaker than expected due to dry air with some mixed precipitation issues at the coast and Southeast New England causing lighter snowfall amounts. Winter Storm Warnings have been reduced to Winter Weather Advisories in the region. Minor Coastal Flooding still expected at the 4 AM high tide cycle and strong winds are expected to continue overnight..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 8 AM Thursday for Windham County Connecticut, Rhode Island, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts for 2-5″ of wet snow. The wet snow and strong winds may cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 8 AM for Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard for 1-3″ with isolated higher amounts possible by the Cape Cod Canal. The wet snow and strong winds may cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages if snowfall reaches 3-4″..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 8 AM for Hartford and Tolland County CT, Worcester, Middlesex and Essex Counties of Massachusetts for 1-4″ of snow. The Winter Weather Advisory for Hampden County Massachusetts is cancelled with less than an inch of snow expected..
..A High Wind Warning remains in effect through Noon Thursday for Cape Cod and the Islands and through 8 AM Thursday for Block Island RI. The High Wind Warnings are for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH. These winds along with wet snow accumulation could cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is in effect through 8 AM Thursday for South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Eastern Essex, Eastern Norfolk and Eastern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts. The wind advisories are for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. These winds along with any wet snow accumulation could cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages..
..A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Eastern Essex, Eastern Norfolk, Suffolk, Barnstable and Nantucket Counties from Midnight to 6 AM Thursday for minor coastal flooding of shore roads..
..SKYWARN Activation will monitor the storm through Thursday Morning. With the NWS office move, Ops will be handled from home stations for this storm event. No changes to reporting methods will be made. The statements and reports may have less reports than normal. Social media/emails with reports collected into the WX1BOX team will be disseminated to help provide situational awareness given the office move affected reports in NWS statements. Pictures and videos from this storm system can be sent in as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the pictures/videos..

Dry air in the mid levels and mixed precipitation have kept snowfall amounts lower than forecast and this message is being sent to update for lower snowfall amounts and Winter Storm Warnings being downgraded to Winter Weather Advisories for those areas. Accumulating snowfall is still likely overnight but will likely be less than forecast. With strong winds in Southeast New England, if snowfall totals of 3″ or more occur, there will be the potential for isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages but not like the last 3 nor’easters we have had recently.

As for why the snowfall amounts were lower and storm impacts were less than expected, the forecast models were having a very difficult time handling the amount of dry air in the mid-levels with some models forecasting less dry air in those mid-levels and other models calling for the dry air to hold on for lesser snow amounts. Models also struggled with temperatures and any cooling from heavier precipitation resulting in another forecast complication. High resolution models had some handle on this but even with those models, there was spread in the guidance. Normally, when coming close to storm impacts, models coalesce on this solution. For this storm system, there was divergence. This is similar to the late January “surprise” snowstorm where the model guidance did not have a good handle on current trends and led to a forecast with lower snow totals than realized. For this nor’easter, the reverse occurred. Spotter reports of less snow accumulation and mixed precipitation provided ground truth to help guide the forecast and snowfall amounts to the lower numbers.

SKYWARN Activation will monitor the storm through Thursday Morning.  With the NWS office move, Ops will be handled from home stations for this storm event. No changes to reporting methods will be made. The statements and reports may have less reports than normal. Social media/emails with reports collected into the WX1BOX team will be disseminated to help provide situational awareness given the office move affected reports in NWS statements. Pictures and videos from this storm system can be sent in as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the pictures/videos. This will be the last coordination message on this storm system.

Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Coastal Flood Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, and Snowfall Maps:

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

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

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

NWS Taunton Snowfall Maps:
http://www.weather.gov/box/winter

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


Read more

Storm Coordination Message #4 – Wednesday Morning 3/21/18-Thursday Morning 3/22/18 Major Winter Storm Potential

Hello to all…

..Unfortunately, yet another nor’easter, the 4th nor’easter this month, is on target and taking aim on Southern New England Wednesday Morning into Thursday Morning with potential significant impacts from heavy snowfall and potentially a wet snowfall, strong to damaging winds and a greater risk for one to two tide cycles of minor to moderate coastal flooding due to higher astronomical tides..
..Uncertainty has increased in exact snowfall amounts due to spread in the models on where the northwest cutoff of the snow is and possible mixed precipitation type issues for some coastal areas particularly Cape Cod and the Islands and the possibility dry air causes lighter precipitation. For now, the current forecast continues. Worst conditions for snow and wind will be from late this afternoon through Wednesday Night..
..A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Northern Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, Southern Worcester, Suffolk, Southeast Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes Counties of Massachusetts for 5-10″ of snow with isolated higher amounts possible. In Barnstable County, the highest amounts will be closer to the Cape Cod Canal. The snow will be heavy and wet and with wind gusts in western interior areas to 35 MPH and central to eastern areas of 40-55 MPH with higher gusts to 60 MPH possible in coastal areas, isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages are likely..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 2 PM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Essex, Northern Worcester, North-Central Middlesex and Hampden Counties Massachusetts for 3-6″ of snow. Franklin and Hampshire Counties are expected to get 1-3″ of snow with similar amounts on Nantucket where Nantucket sees mixed precipitation..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through Noon Thursday for Cape Cod and the Islands. A High Wind Warning is in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Block Island RI. The High Wind Warnings are for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH. These winds along with wet snow accumulation could cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 8 AM Wednesday to 8 AM Thursday for South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island and a Wind Advisory is now in effect from 11 AM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Eastern Essex, Eastern Norfolk and Eastern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts. The wind advisories are for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. These winds along with wet snow accumulation could cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for the late Wednesday Night high tide cycle for Eastern Plymouth County Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island for minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of this high tide cycle and the Thursday Afternoon tide cycle may also be impacted as well. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Eastern Essex, Eastern Norfolk and Suffolk Counties from Midnight to 6 AM Thursday for minor coastal flooding of shore roads..
..SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will be handled from home stations for this storm event. No changes to reporting methods will be made. The statements and reports may have less reports than normal. Social media/emails with reports collected into the WX1BOX team will be disseminated to help provide situational awareness given the office move affected reports in NWS statements. Pictures and videos from this storm system can be sent in as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the pictures/videos..

Unfortunately, another nor’easter is taking aim on Southern New England. Track guidance overnight as struggled to coalesce further with a wide variation in the northwest cutoff of precipitation as well as the amount of dry air that could get entrenched over the area and where that ends up along with mixed precipitation issues over the coastal areas particularly Cape Cod and the Islands. Also the heaviest snow is expected towards late afternoon and Wednesday Night from southwest to northeast across the area. The headlines provide the current thinking which is little changed from prior updates. Key items for this storm system:

1.) Track guidance is close enough to the coast means higher snow amounts but along and south of the Mass Pike based on a track south and east of the benchmark currently. It also means more snow across South Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard with a setup between the strong to damaging winds and wet snow for isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. The Winter Storm Watch for North-Central and Northeast Massachusetts has been changed to a Winter Weather Advisory. There still could be more changes to the forecast given model spread on heaviest precipitation, dry air and mixed precipitation.
2.) The astronomical high tides are higher so that means a bit higher risk for at least minor to moderate coastal flooding on the Wednesday Night high tide cycle and possibly affecting the Thursday afternoon high tide cycle as well. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect now for Northeast Coastal Massachusetts while a Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for Eastern Plymouth County, Cape Cod and Nantucket as it isn’t clear for the watch area whether coastal flooding will be more minor in nature or if it will remain in the moderate category.
3.) The strong to damaging winds and potentially heavy wet snow could cause another round of isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. The current track and intensity support this scenario in areas where Winter Storm Warnings and Wind Advisories/High Wind Warnings are in effect.

SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will be handled from home stations for this storm event. No changes to reporting methods will be made. The statements and reports may have less reports than normal. Social media/emails with reports collected into the WX1BOX team will be disseminated to help provide situational awareness given the office move affected reports in NWS statements. Pictures and videos from this storm system can be sent in as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the pictures/videos. Another coordination message will be posted by 7 AM Wednesday Morning.

Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch/Winter Weather Advisory Statement, High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Coastal Flood Watch/Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, Snowfall Maps and Facebook briefing:

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

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Watch/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 Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

NWS Taunton Snowfall Maps:
http://www.weather.gov/box/winter

NWS Taunton Facebook Storm Briefing:

https://www.facebook.com/NWSBoston/photos/pcb.1662619443832420/1662618757165822/?type=3&theater

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


Read more

Storm Coordination Message #3 – Wednesday Morning 3/21/18-Thursday Morning 3/22/18 Major Winter Storm Potential

Hello to all…

..Unfortunately, yet another nor’easter, the 4th nor’easter this month, is on target and taking aim on Southern New England Wednesday Morning into Thursday Morning with potential significant impacts from heavy snowfall and potentially a wet snowfall, strong to damaging winds and a greater risk for one to two tide cycles of minor to moderate coastal flooding due to higher astronomical tides..
..A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Northern Connecticut, all of Rhode Island, Southern Worcester, Suffolk, Southeast Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes Counties of Massachusetts for 5-10″ of snow with isolated higher amounts possible. In Barnstable County, the highest amounts will be closer to the Cape Cod Canal. The snow will be heavy and wet and with wind gusts in western interior areas to 35 MPH and central to eastern areas of 40-55 MPH with higher gusts to 60 MPH possible in coastal areas, isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages are likely..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 2 PM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Hampden County Massachusetts for 3-5″ of snow. The Winter Storm Watch for Franklin and Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts has been cancelled as only 1-3″ of snow is expected in this area..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Morning through Thursday Morning for Northern Worcester, North-Central Middlesex and Essex Counties of Massachusetts for 4-8″ of snow and Winds gusts of 25-35 MPH are expected in the interior western parts of the Winter Storm Watch area with wind gusts between 40-60 MPH in Northeast Massachusetts. These winds with wet snow may cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through Noon Thursday for Cape Cod and the Islands. A High Wind Warning is in effect from 8 AM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Block Island RI. The High Wind Warnings are for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH. These winds along with wet snow accumulation could cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 8 AM Wednesday to 8 AM Thursday for South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island and a Wind Advisory is now in effect from 11 AM Wednesday through 8 AM Thursday for Eastern Essex, Eastern Norfolk and Eastern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts. The wind advisories are for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. These winds along with wet snow accumulation could cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for the late Wednesday Night high tide cycle for Eastern Plymouth County Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island for minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of this high tide cycle and the Thursday Afternoon tide cycle may also be impacted as well..
..SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will be handled from home stations for this storm event. No changes to reporting methods will be made. The statements and reports may have less reports than normal. Social media/emails with reports collected into the WX1BOX team will be disseminated to help provide situational awareness given the office move affected reports in NWS statements. Pictures and videos from this storm system can be sent in as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the pictures/videos..

Unfortunately, another nor’easter is taking aim on Southern New England. The trend with these storm systems this month has been to have the storm systems look further offshore in the 3-5 day period only to come closer to coast in the under 3-day period and that seems to be the case for this system as well. The track guidance continues to coalesce to be a storm system with significant impacts to our region once again though there is a sharp northwest cutoff that has been illustrated and the solution has turned a bit colder for the South coast of Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard with Winter Storm Warnings in effect for those areas. Also the heaviest snow is expected towards late afternoon and Wednesday Night from southwest to northeast across the area. The headlines provide the current thinking. Key items for this storm system:

1.) Track guidance is close enough to the coast means higher snow amounts but along and south of the Mass Pike based on a track south and east of the benchmark currently. It also means more snow across South Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard with a setup between the strong to damaging winds and wet snow for isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for North-Central and Northeast Massachusetts as these areas may remain in the heavier snowfall area.
2.) The astronomical high tides are higher so that means a bit higher risk for at least minor to moderate coastal flooding on the Wednesday Night high tide cycle and possibly affecting the Thursday afternoon high tide cycle as well.
3.) The strong to damaging winds and potentially heavy wet snow could cause another round of isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. The current track and intensity support this scenario in areas where Winter Storm Warnings and Wind Advisories/High Wind Warings are in effect.

SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will be handled from home stations for this storm event. No changes to reporting methods will be made. The statements and reports may have less reports than normal. Social media/emails with reports collected into the WX1BOX team will be disseminated to help provide situational awareness given the office move affected reports in NWS statements. Pictures and videos from this storm system can be sent in as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the pictures/videos. Another coordination message will be posted by 7 AM Wednesday Morning.

Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch/Winter Weather Advisory Statement, High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, Snowfall Maps and Facebook briefing:

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

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Watch 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 Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

NWS Taunton Snowfall Maps:
http://www.weather.gov/box/winter

NWS Taunton Facebook Storm Briefing:

https://www.facebook.com/NWSBoston/photos/pcb.1662090640551967/1662090577218640/?type=3&theater

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


Read more

Storm Coordination Message #2 – Wednesday Morning 3/21/18-Thursday Morning 3/22/18 Major Winter Storm Potential

Hello to all…

..Unfortunately, yet another nor’easter, the 4th nor’easter this month, is on target and taking aim on Southern New England Wednesday Morning into Thursday Morning with potential significant impacts from heavy snowfall and potentially a wet snowfall, strong to damaging winds and a greater risk for one to two tide cycles of minor to moderate coastal flooding due to higher astronomical tides..
..A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from 8 AM Wednesday to 8 AM Thursday for Northern Connecticut, North-Central Rhode Island, Eastern Hampden, Southern Worcester, Suffolk, Southeast Middlesex, Norfolk, Northern Bristol and North-Central Plymouth Counties Massachusetts for 10-14″ of snow with isolated higher amounts possible. The snow will be heavy and wet and with wind gusts in western interior areas to 35 MPH and central to eastern areas of 40-55 MPH with higher gusts to 60 MPH possible in coastal areas, isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages are likely..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Morning through Thursday Morning for Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard for 3-6″ of snow with isolated higher amounts in the 6-10″ range closer to the Cape Cod Canal area and strong to damaging winds with wet snow have the potential to produce isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages possible..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Morning through Thursday Morning for Southern Rhode Island, Eastern Franklin, Hampshire, Western Hampden Counties, Northern Worcester, North-Central Middlesex, Essex, Southern Bristol and Southern Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts for total snowfall of 6-12″ with isolated higher amounts or bands of higher amounts of snow of up to 14″. Winds gusts of 25-35 MPH are expected in the interior western parts of the Winter Storm Watch area with wind gusts between 40-60 MPH in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. These winds with wet snow may cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Morning through Thursday Morning for South Coastal Rhode Island and East and South Coastal Massachusetts for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH. These winds along with wet snow accumulation could cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect for the late Wednesday Night high tide cycle for Eastern Plymouth County Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island for minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of this high tide cycle and the Thursday Afternoon tide cycle may also be impacted as well..
..SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will most likely be done from Amateur Radio home stations for this storm event. This will be updated as needed..

Unfortunately, another nor’easter is taking aim on Southern New England. The trend with these storm systems this month has been to have the storm systems look further offshore in the 3-5 day period only to come closer to coast in the under 3-day period and that seems to be the case for this system as well. The track guidance continues to coalesce to be a storm system with significant impacts to our region once again. The headlines provide the current thinking. Key items for this storm system:

1.) Track guidance closer to the coast means higher snow amounts and this could increase more depending on the track provided it stays along or just east of the benchmark. This could also mean higher wind speeds depending on storm system intensity. Some mixed precipitation is possible at the coast which is why Winter Storm Watches remain in place there but heavier precipitation may offset the threat of mixed precipitation during the event. Northern and western parts of the area may have lighter snowfall depending on the northwest cut off the storm which is why Winter Storm Watches remain in place there.
2.) The astronomical high tides are higher so that means a bit higher risk for at least minor to moderate coastal flooding on the Wednesday Night high tide cycle and possibly affecting the Thursday afternoon high tide cycle as well.
3.) The strong to damaging winds and potentially heavy wet snow could cause another round of isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages and will depend on storm track and intensity.

SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will most likely be done from Amateur Radio home stations for this storm event. This will be updated as needed. Another coordination message will be posted by 11 PM Tuesday Evening. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch Statement, High Wind Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and Snowfall Maps:

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

NWS Taunton High Wind Watch Statement:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Watch 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 Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

NWS Taunton Snowfall Maps:
http://www.weather.gov/box/winter

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


Read more

Storm Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday Morning 3/21/18-Thursday Morning 3/22/18 Winter Storm Potential

Hello to all…

..Unfortunately, yet another nor’easter, the 4th nor’easter this month, will take aim on Southern New England Wednesday Morning into Thursday Morning with potential significant impacts from heavy snowfall and potentially a wet snowfall, strong to damaging winds and a greater risk for one to two tide cycles of minor to moderate coastal flooding due to higher astronomical tides..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Morning through Thursday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern Franklin, Eastern Hampshire and Eastern Hampden Counties eastward through the rest of Eastern Massachusetts except for Cape Cod and the Islands for total snowfall of 5-8″ with isolated higher amounts or bands of higher amounts of snow of up to 12″. Winds gusts of 25-35 MPH are expected in the interior western parts of the Winter Storm Watch area with wind gusts between 40-55 MPH in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. These winds with wet snow may cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated to scattered power outages..
..A Coastal Flood Watch is now in effect for the late Wednesday Night high tide cycle for Eastern Plymouth County Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket Island for minor to moderate coastal flooding at the time of this high tide cycle and the Thursday Afternoon tide cycle may also be impacted as well..
..SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will most likely be done from Amateur Radio home stations for this storm event. This will be updated as needed..

Unfortunately, another nor’easter is taking aim on Southern New England. The trend with these storm systems this month has been to have the storm systems look further offshore in the 3-5 day period only to come closer to coast in the under 3-day period and that seems to be the case for this system as well. The headlines provide the current thinking. Key items for this storm system:

1.) Track guidance closer to the coast means higher snow amounts and this could increase more depending on the track provided it stays along or just east of the benchmark. This could also mean higher wind speeds depending on storm system intensity.
2.) The astronomical high tides are higher so that means a bit higher risk for at least minor to moderate coastal flooding on the Wednesday Night high tide cycle and possibly affecting the Thursday afternoon high tide cycle as well.
3.) The strong winds and potentially heavy wet snow could cause another round of isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages and will depend on storm track and intensity.

SKYWARN Activation is likely Wednesday into Thursday for this system. With the NWS office move, Ops will most likely be done from Amateur Radio home stations for this storm event. This will be updated as needed. Another coordination message will be posted by 9 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and Snowfall Maps:

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

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

NWS Taunton Snowfall Maps:
http://www.weather.gov/box/winter

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


Read more

Post Storm Coordination Message #1 – Major Nor’easter Storm Summaries for 3/2/18- 3/4/18 & 3/8/18-3/9/18 Major Winter Storms & Tuesday 3/13/18 Blizzard

Hello to all…

..Three major coastal storm/nor’easters, one of which was a blizzard, slam Southern New England on Friday 3/2/18-Sunday 3/4/18, Wednesday 3/7/18-Thursday 3/8/18 and Tuesday 3/13/18. Each storm brought significant severe weather types..
..The 3/2/18-3/14/18 major nor’easter brought heavy rainfall with river/stream/urban flooding, some heavy wet snow to far northern and western parts of the coverage area, hurricane force wind gusts with widespread pockets of tree and power line damage and power outages and numerous cycles of coastal flooding with several tide cycles of severe coastal flooding. At the height of the storm, 455,000 were without power in Massachusetts..
..The 3/7/18-3/8/18 major nor’easter brought heavy wet snowfall with widespread pockets of tree and power line damage and power outages to Connecticut, interior Rhode Island and Western, Central and Northeastern Massachusetts with strong wind gusts in the 50-60 MPH with heavy rainfall in Southeastern New England and minor coastal flooding in East Coastal Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands. At the height of the storm, 350,000 were without power in Massachusetts and 135,000 were without power in Connecticut..
..The 3/13/18 major nor’easter brought a blizzard to portions of Eastern New England, widespread heavy snowfall of 10-20″ with higher amounts of 20-28″ in Northeastern and North-Central Massachusetts, hurricane force wind gusts to Cape Cod and the Islands and Southeast New England where the hurricane force wind gusts and wet snow caused widespread pockets of tree and power line damage, and minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide. At the height of the storm, 250,000 were without power in Massachusetts with 23,000 without power in Rhode Island..
..Pictures and videos from these three major nor’easters can be sent as a reply to this email, via the WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or through the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the SKYWARN Spotter/Amateur Radio Operator for the photos and videos. Photos will be posted to the WX1BOX Facebook Albums for each storm as they are received through the end of March..
..Below are links for each storm with the Raw Amateur Radio logs of reports, the NWS Taunton Local Storm Reports, NWS Taunton Public Information Statements of spotter reports including a special Public Information Statement classifying Blizzard conditions for the Tuesday 3/13/18 Blizzard and the WX1BOX Facebook Albums for each storm system..
..It is too early to comment on a potential nor’easter for Wednesday into Thursday of this week but all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators should monitor forecasts and statements over the next few days..

Friday 3/2/18-Sunday 3/4/18 – Raw Amateur Radio logs:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_2_18_3_3_18.txt
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_4_18.txt

NWS Taunton Local Storm Report – Friday 3/2/18-Sunday 3/4/18 – Major Nor’easter:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/LSR_3_2_18_3_4_18.txt

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement – Friday 3/2/18-Sunday 3/4/18 – Major Nor’easter:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/PNS_3_2_18_to_3_3_18.txt

WX1BOX Facebook Photo Album – Friday 3/2/18-Sunday 3/4/18 – Major Nor’easter:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/wx1box/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1884897344877608

Wednesday 3/7/18-Thursday 3/8/18 – Raw Amateur Radio Logs:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_7_18.txt

NWS Taunton Local Storm Reports – Wednesday 3/7/18-Thursday 3/8/18 – Major Winter Storm:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/LSR_3_8_18.txt

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement – Wednesday 3/7/18-Thursday 3/8/18 – Major Winter Storm:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/PNS_3_7_18_to_3_8_18.txt

WX1BOX Facebook Photo Album – Wednesday 3/7/18-Thursday 3/8/18 – Major Winter Storm/Nor’easter:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/wx1box/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1886847021349307

Tuesday March 13th, 2018 – Raw Amateur Radio Logs:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_13_18_5.txt
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_13_18_4.txt
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_13_18_3.txt
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_13_18_2.txt
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/reports_3_13_18.txt

NWS Taunton Local Storm Reports – Tuesday March 13th, 2018 Blizzard:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/LSR_3_14_18.txt

NWS Taunton Public Information Statements – Tuesday March 13th, 2018 Blizzard Snowfall & Wind Gust Reports:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/PNS_3_13_18_3_14_18.txt

NWS Taunton Public Information Statement – Tuesday March 13th, 2018 Blizzard:
http://beta.wx1box.org/local/blizzard_3_14_18.txt

WX1BOX Facebook Photo Album – Tuesday March 13th, 2018 Blizzard/Major Winter Storm/Nor’easter:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/wx1box/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1897111876989488

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

 

Read more

1 2 3