Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Thursday 6/28/18 Flash Flood and Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all…

..Heavy Showers and Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible across Southern New England today. Heavy rainfall causing urban and poor drainage flooding along with strong to damaging wind gusts are the main threats. An isolated weak tornado cannot be ruled out in Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut as a secondary threat..
..A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect from 8 AM Thursday Morning through Thursday Evening for Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Worcester and Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 1-2″ of rainfall with isolated higher amounts potentially causing urban and poor drainage flooding..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut in a marginal risk for severe weather..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions for today. Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible if the severe weather threat increases..

At 650 AM, Doppler Radar shows a widespread area of showers some with heavier downpours and isolated thunderstorms over the area. These showers and thunderstorms are moving northeast as the area slides east and could produce heavy rainfall for urban and poor drainage flooding to flash flooding and will be monitored. There is also the possibility of an isolated severe thunderstorm embedded in this activity with strong to damaging wind gusts across. There is also a secondary threat for an isolated, weak tornado. The area for severe weather potential is across Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut. After this area swings through, if there is any sun allow for heating and destabilization, there could be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and strong to damaging wind gusts again centered across Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions for today. Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible if the severe weather threat increases. This will likely be the only complete coordination message on today’s severe weather potential. A shortened coordination message will be posted if time allows and Ops at NWS are initiated. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Flash Flood Watch Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

NWS Boston/Norton Flash Flood Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus61.KBOX.html

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

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
https://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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #4 – Saturday 6/23/18-Sunday 6/24/18 Weather Outlook/Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all..

..The following is the fourth in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 15 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..Saturday had some showers in the region with a few heavier downpours in Southeast New England during the morning but other thunderstorms and heavy downpours stayed well south of the region with just a few light showers and drizzle across the area and cool conditions. While not ideal, these conditions allowed for a safe and somewhat comfortable Saturday for Field Day..
..For Sunday, the morning through early to mid-afternoon looks dry but a warm front should make its way through the region. If clearing occurs behind the warm front then the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall on Sunday Afternoon/Evening potentially when Amateur Radio Field Day sites are breaking down stations and wrapping up for this year’s event. The greatest threat is in Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of Connecticut in a Marginal risk for severe weather..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Many locations can be visited by the public and Amateur Radio Field Day can be a form of outreach to Ham and non-Ham Operators. It is also noted that several states have given proclamations to Amateur Radio/Ham Radio Operators for either an ‘Amateur Radio Day or Amateur Radio Week’ during the month of June or an ‘Amateur Radio Month’ for this month. It is both a fun/preparatory event for Ham Radio Operators for Emergency Communications scenarios..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible Sunday afternoon into early evening for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential..

There are a large number of Amateur Radio Field Day sites across the NWS Boston/Norton Coverage Area and adjacent NWS Coverage Areas. Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region:

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: http://fd.ema.arrl.org/

The commonwealth of Massachusetts has declared this week to be Amateur Radio Week and Governor Baker has proclaimed Sunday June 24th, 2018 Amateur Radio Day in honor of the ARRL Field Day event. The details can be seen at the following links:
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/19/massachusetts-house-passes-bill-proclaiming-amateur-radio-week/
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/15/massachusetts-senate-proclaims-amateur-radio-week/
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/10/governor-baker-proclaims-june-24-2018-amateur-radio-day/

Saturday had some showers in the region with a few heavier downpours in Southeast New England during the morning but other thunderstorms and heavy downpours stayed well south of the region with just a few light showers and drizzle across the area and cool conditions. While not ideal, these conditions allowed for a safe and somewhat comfortable Saturday for Field Day.

For today (Sunday), a warm front will traverse the region and conditions will become warmer and more humid. At 930 AM, Doppler Radar shows no precipitation. Satellite imagery shows thinning clouds over Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This should work its way into Southern New England particularly into Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut. Clouds could still linger for most of the day in Eastern New England. A Cold front and impulse in the atmosphere will approach the region from the west. If there is sufficient heating and destabilization and forcing from the impulse and front coincide with that destabilization, it will set the stage for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall as the main threats with the area of concern over Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut. The timing should be as Amateur Radio Field Day ends and sites are being broken down across the region mainly after 1-2 PM through about 8 PM.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible Sunday afternoon into early evening for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook, NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

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

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

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are still encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/37

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. Also having a jacket or sweatshirt during evenings as conditions cool etc. may also be useful while operating this year’s Field Day. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

Given the threat for thunderstorms particularly on Sunday, lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

This will be the last complete Amateur Radio Field Day coordination message for 2018. A shortened coordination message will be posted if time allows and Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are initiated.

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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Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #3 – Saturday 6/23/18-Sunday 6/24/18 Weather Outlook/Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all..

..The following is the third in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 15 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..Saturday will feature showers at times widespread over portions of Southern New England with heavier rainfall and urban and the potential of urban and poor drainage flooding as well as an attendant lightning risk later Saturday into Saturday Night though there will also be dry periods as well particularly in interior Southern New England. As we move into Sunday, the morning currently looks dry but if the warm front makes it through the region and clearing occurs behind the warm front then the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall on Sunday Afternoon/Evening potentially when Amateur Radio Field Day sites are breaking down stations and wrapping up for this year’s event. Weekend weather will continue to be monitored closely..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Many locations can be visited by the public and Amateur Radio Field Day can be a form of outreach to Ham and non-Ham Operators. It is also noted that several states have given proclamations to Amateur Radio/Ham Radio Operators for either an ‘Amateur Radio Day or Amateur Radio Week’ during the month of June or an ‘Amateur Radio Month’ for this month. It is both a fun/preparatory event for Ham Radio Operators for Emergency Communications scenarios..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible on Saturday afternoon into early evening for any potential for thunderstorms, heavier downpours with possible urban and poor drainage flooding and the attendant lightning risk towards later afternoon/evening and will be based on radar trends. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible Sunday Afternoon/Evening for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential..

There are a large number of Amateur Radio Field Day sites across the NWS Boston/Norton Coverage Area and adjacent NWS Coverage Areas. Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region:

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: http://fd.ema.arrl.org/

The commonwealth of Massachusetts has declared this week to be Amateur Radio Week and Governor Baker has proclaimed Sunday June 24th, 2018 Amateur Radio Day in honor of the ARRL Field Day event. The details can be seen at the following links:
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/19/massachusetts-house-passes-bill-proclaiming-amateur-radio-week/
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/15/massachusetts-senate-proclaims-amateur-radio-week/
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/10/governor-baker-proclaims-june-24-2018-amateur-radio-day/

As of 920 AM Saturday, Doppler Radar showed a large area of showers with moderate rainfall to heavy rainfall across Southeast Coastal New England. There has been no lightning with this activity. Elsewhere across Southern New England, spottier light rain showers are developing over Western New England and to a lesser extent in Central New England. All activity is moving Northeast to North-Northeast. At this time current trends indicate most of interior Southern New England will be dry for the next several hours with a few passing showers barring development of more showers over the interior. For Southeast New England, steady rainfall in showers with moderate to heavy rainfall will continue for the next several hours before it moves northeast outside of the area. As we get closer to later Saturday Afternoon into evening, showers could again become more numerous with heavier rainfall especially across the Southeast New England but potentially in other parts of the area. There will also be the threat of isolated thunderstorms as well. Severe weather is not expected but the showers and heavier downpours and isolated thunderstorms could pose an urban and poor drainage flooding threat as well as an attendant lightning hazard. This may require monitoring from NWS Boston/Norton to guard field day sites and field flooding reports in isolated to scattered areas. If this occurred, we would likely put in operations at NWS towards the later afternoon and evening.

For Sunday, showers and any isolated thunderstorms and downpours should end during the overnight hours and offer a dry Sunday Morning. As we  get into the afternoon and evening hours provided the warm front moves through the region as forecasted and there is sufficient clearing for heating and destabilization, there will be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across the coverage area with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall as Field Day ends and takedown of equipment occurs. This will bear watching as we get model runs later on Saturday to discern the severe weather potential further for Sunday.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible later Saturday afternoon into early evening for any potential for thunderstorms, heavier downpours with possible urban and poor drainage flooding and the attendant lightning risk towards later afternoon/evening and will be based on radar trends. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible Sunday Afternoon/Evening for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential.

Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

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

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

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are still encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/37

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. Also having a jacket or sweatshirt during evenings as conditions cool etc. may also be useful while operating this year’s Field Day. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

Given the threat for thunderstorms particularly on Sunday, lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

The next Amateur Radio Field Day coordination message will be posted by 1000 PM Saturday Evening.

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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Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #2 – Saturday 6/23/18-Sunday 6/24/18 Weather Outlook/Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all..

..The following is the second in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 15 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..After quiet weather on Friday, unsettled weather is likely during Amateur Radio Field Day weekend. It will not be a complete washout but there will be the threat of widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms with heavier rainfall and urban and the potential of urban and poor drainage flooding as well as an attendant lightning risk Saturday into Saturday Night. As we move into Sunday, the morning currently looks dry but if the warm front makes it through the region and clearing occurs behind the warm front then the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall on Sunday Afternoon/Evening potentially when Amateur Radio Field Day sites are breaking down stations and wrapping up for this year’s event. Weekend weather will continue to be monitored closely..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Many locations can be visited by the public and Amateur Radio Field Day can be a form of outreach to Ham and non-Ham Operators. It is also noted that several states have given proclamations to Amateur Radio/Ham Radio Operators for either an ‘Amateur Radio Day or Amateur Radio Week’ during the month of June or an ‘Amateur Radio Month’ for this month. It is both a fun/preparatory event for Ham Radio Operators for Emergency Communications scenarios..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are now possible on Saturday for any potential for thunderstorms, heavier downpours with possible urban and poor drainage flooding and the attendant lightning risk. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible Sunday Afternoon/Evening for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential..

There are a large number of Amateur Radio Field Day sites across the NWS Boston/Norton Coverage Area and adjacent NWS Coverage Areas. Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region:

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: http://fd.ema.arrl.org/

The commonwealth of Massachusetts has declared this week to be Amateur Radio Week and Governor Baker has proclaimed Sunday June 24th, 2018 Amateur Radio Day in honor of the ARRL Field Day event. The details can be seen at the following links:
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/19/massachusetts-house-passes-bill-proclaiming-amateur-radio-week/
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/15/massachusetts-senate-proclaims-amateur-radio-week/
https://ema.arrl.org/2018/06/10/governor-baker-proclaims-june-24-2018-amateur-radio-day/

The weather forecast has unfortunately gotten a bit worse for the Saturday of Amateur Radio Field Day weekend. There will be showers fairly widespread over the region. As we get closer to later Saturday Afternoon into evening, showers could become more numerous with heavier rainfall. There will also be the threat of isolated thunderstorms as well. Severe weather is not expected but the showers and heavier downpours and isolated thunderstorms could pose an urban and poor drainage flooding threat as well as an attendant lightning hazard. This may require monitoring from NWS Boston/Norton to guard field day sites and field flooding reports in isolated to scattered areas and will bear watching. High resolution model runs into Saturday Morning will confirm if the trend for heavier rainfall and isolated thunderstorms is higher or not.

For Sunday, showers and any isolated thunderstorms and downpours should end during the overnight hours and offer a dry Sunday Morning. As we  get into the afternoon and evening hours provided the warm front moves through the region as forecasted and there is sufficient clearing for heating and destabilization, there will be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across the coverage area with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall as Field Day ends and takedown of equipment occurs. This will bear watching as we get model runs on Saturday to discern the severe weather potential further for Sunday.

Coordination messages Saturday will help better define the outlook particularly for Sunday and the severe weather potential. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

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

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

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are still encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/37

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. Also having a jacket or sweatshirt during evenings as conditions cool etc. may also be useful while operating this year’s Field Day. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

Given the threat for thunderstorms particularly on Sunday, lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

The next Amateur Radio Field Day coordination message will be posted by 1000 AM Saturday Morning.

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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Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #1 – Friday 6/22/18-Sunday 6/24/18 Weather Outlook/Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all..

..The following is the first in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 15 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..2018 Field Day weekend has quiet weather for Friday but looks unsettled with the potential for rain and possibly heavier rain and can’t rule out an isolated thunderstorm along with cooler temperatures on Saturday and then the potential of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall on Sunday Afternoon/Evening potentially when Amateur Radio Field Day sites are breaking down stations and wrapping up for this year’s event. Weekend weather will be monitored closely..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Many locations can be visited by the public and Amateur Radio Field Day can be a form of outreach to Ham and non-Ham Operators. It is also noted that several states have given proclamations to Amateur Radio/Ham Radio Operators for either an ‘Amateur Radio Day or Amateur Radio Week’ during the month of June or an ‘Amateur Radio Month’ for this month. It is both a fun/preparatory event for Ham Radio Operators for Emergency Communications scenarios..
..SKYWARN Activation on Saturday appears unlikely but will need to monitor for any potential for thunderstorms and attendant lightning risk and heavier rainfall. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible Sunday Afternoon/Evening for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential..

There are a large number of Amateur Radio Field Day sites across the NWS Boston/Norton Coverage Area and adjacent NWS Coverage Areas. Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region:

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: http://fd.ema.arrl.org/

The commonwealth of Massachusetts has declared this week to be Amateur Radio Week and Governor Baker has proclaimed Sunday June 24th, 2018 Amateur Radio Day in honor of the ARRL Field Day event. The details can be seen at the following links:

For Field Day weekend, Friday looks quiet weather wise with seasonable temperatures and dry conditions. As we get into Saturday, there could be general rain over Southern New England with cooler temperatures. There could also be heavier rainfall and the chance of an isolated thunderstorm though currently it looks more like a rain and heavier downpour situation versus a general thunderstorm concern but this will be monitored and updated again in the Friday Evening coordination message.

For Sunday, parameters could come together for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall in the Sunday Afternoon and Evening timeframe as Field Day operations end and field day sites are securing. We are still 2+ days from this event and this will be updated with greater details as we get closer to this timeframe. This concern is mentioned in the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook.

Coordination messages later Friday and Saturday will help better define the outlook particularly for Sunday and the severe weather potential. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

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

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

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are still encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/37

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. Also having a jacket or sweatshirt during evenings as conditions cool etc. may also be useful while operating this year’s Field Day. The link below features information on Heat Safety:

Given the threat for thunderstorms particularly on Sunday, lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

The next Amateur Radio Field Day coordination message will be posted by 1000 PM Friday Evening.

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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Severe Weather & Heat Coordination Message #2 – Monday 6/18/18 Intense Heat and Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all…

..Intense Heat and Humidity will grip the region on Monday. A Heat Advisory is in effect from 1-6 PM EDT Monday for Hartford County Connecticut, Eastern Hampden, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Hampshire, Central and Southeast Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Western Essex Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices of around 100 degrees. People both in the heat advisory area and outside of the heat advisory area should take precautions against the heat and drink plenty of liquids for Monday..
..Along with the heat and humidity will be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms during the Monday Mid to Late Afternoon and Evening timeframe with strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall which could cause urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has portions of interior northwest, north-central and northeast Massachusetts and North-Central Connecticut and Northwest Rode Island in a marginal to slight risk for severe weather in the mid Monday Afternoon/Evening timeframe..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence by 2 PM Monday Afternoon lasting through this evening..

Intense heat and humidity will grip the region Monday into Monday Night. This will result in high heat conditions with a heat advisory for portions of Southern New England as depicted in the headlines. Even in areas outside of the heat advisory areas precautions against the heat should be taken.

With the heat and humidity, a cold front will be approaching the region from north and west. There will be a reasonable level of instability and sufficient strong wind fields to allow for multi-cell clusters/lines or a line of strong to severe thunderstorms to develop in northern New England and moving south and east into the region towards late afternoon and evening. Two key items to determine the extent and coverage of any strong to severe thunderstorms:

1.) Cooling aloft in the atmosphere is marginal and this could make the thunderstorms more widely scattered from a strong to severe perspective. Other factors including a very moisture laden atmosphere could offset this condition.
2.) The timing of the cold front or a possible pre-frontal boundary making its way across the region to allow for forcing a trigger to take advantage of the level of instability and sufficient wind fields in the atmosphere. Thunderstorms will pop up in isolated fashion over the course of mid-afternoon and could become a bit more numerous toward early evening with the approach of the cold front.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence by 2 PM Monday Afternoon lasting through this evening. This will be the last coordination message on this severe weather potential. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

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

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

SPC Convective Day-1 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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Severe Weather & Heat Coordination Message #2 – Monday 6/18/18 Intense Heat and Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all…

..Intense Heat and Humidity will grip the region on Monday. A Heat Advisory is in effect from 1-6 PM EDT Monday for Hartford County Connecticut, Eastern Hampden, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Hampshire, Central and Southeast Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Western Essex Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices of around 100 degrees. People both in the heat advisory area and outside of the heat advisory area should take precautions against the heat and drink plenty of liquids for Monday..
..Along with the heat and humidity will be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms during the Monday Mid to Late Afternoon and Evening timeframe with strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall which could cause urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has portions of interior northwest, north-central and northeast Massachusetts and North-Central Connecticut and Northwest Rode Island in a marginal to slight risk for severe weather in the mid Monday Afternoon/Evening timeframe..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence by 2 PM Monday Afternoon lasting through this evening..

Intense heat and humidity will grip the region Monday into Monday Night. This will result in high heat conditions with a heat advisory for portions of Southern New England as depicted in the headlines. Even in areas outside of the heat advisory areas precautions against the heat should be taken.

With the heat and humidity, a cold front will be approaching the region from north and west. There will be a reasonable level of instability and sufficient strong wind fields to allow for multi-cell clusters/lines or a line of strong to severe thunderstorms to develop in northern New England and moving south and east into the region towards late afternoon and evening. Two key items to determine the extent and coverage of any strong to severe thunderstorms:

1.) Cooling aloft in the atmosphere is marginal and this could make the thunderstorms more widely scattered from a strong to severe perspective. Other factors including a very moisture laden atmosphere could offset this condition.
2.) The timing of the cold front or a possible pre-frontal boundary making its way across the region to allow for forcing a trigger to take advantage of the level of instability and sufficient wind fields in the atmosphere. Thunderstorms will pop up in isolated fashion over the course of mid-afternoon and could become a bit more numerous toward early evening with the approach of the cold front.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence by 2 PM Monday Afternoon lasting through this evening. This will be the last coordination message on this severe weather potential. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

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

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

SPC Convective Day-1 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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Read more

Severe Weather & Heat Coordination Message #1

Hello to all…

..Intense Heat and Humidity will grip the region on Monday. A Heat Advisory is in effect from 1-7 PM EDT for Hartford County Connecticut, Eastern Hampden, Middlesex and Western Essex Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices of around 100 degrees. People both in the heat advisory area and outside of the heat advisory area should take precautions against the heat and drink plenty of liquids for Monday..
..Along with the heat and humidity will be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms during the Monday Late Afternoon and Evening timeframe with strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall which could cause urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has portions of interior northwest, north-central and northeast Massachusetts and North-Central Connecticut and Northwest Rode Island in a marginal to slight risk for severe weather in the late Monday Afternoon/Evening timeframe..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible late Monday Afternoon into Monday Evening..

Intense heat and humidity will grip the region Monday into Monday Night. This will result in high heat conditions with a heat advisory for portions of Southern New England as depicted in the headlines. Even in areas outside of the heat advisory areas precautions against the heat should be taken.

With the heat and humidity, a cold front will be approaching the region from north and west. There will be a reasonable level of instability and sufficient strong wind fields to allow for multi-cell clusters/lines or a line of strong to severe thunderstorms to develop in northern New England and moving south and east into the region towards late afternoon and evening. Two key items to determine the extent and coverage of any strong to severe thunderstorms:

1.) Cooling aloft in the atmosphere is marginal and this could make the thunderstorms more widely scattered from a strong to severe perspective. Other factors including a very moisture laden atmosphere could offset this condition.
2.) The timing of the cold front or a possible pre-frontal boundary making its way across the region to allow for forcing a trigger to take advantage of the level of instability and sufficient wind fields in the atmosphere.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible late Monday Afternoon into Monday Evening. Another coordination message will be issued by 930 AM ET Monday. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

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

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

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

SPC Convective Day-2 Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2018/day2otlk_20180617_1730.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

Severe Weather & Heat Coordination Message #1 – Monday 6/18/18 Intense Heat and Severe Weather Potential

Hello to all…

..Intense Heat and Humidity will grip the region on Monday. A Heat Advisory is in effect from 1-7 PM EDT for Hartford County Connecticut, Eastern Hampden, Middlesex and Western Essex Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices of around 100 degrees. People both in the heat advisory area and outside of the heat advisory area should take precautions against the heat and drink plenty of liquids for Monday..
..Along with the heat and humidity will be the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms during the Monday Late Afternoon and Evening timeframe with strong to damaging winds, hail, heavy rainfall which could cause urban and poor drainage flooding and frequent lightning..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has portions of interior northwest, north-central and northeast Massachusetts and North-Central Connecticut and Northwest Rode Island in a marginal to slight risk for severe weather in the late Monday Afternoon/Evening timeframe..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible late Monday Afternoon into Monday Evening..

Intense heat and humidity will grip the region Monday into Monday Night. This will result in high heat conditions with a heat advisory for portions of Southern New England as depicted in the headlines. Even in areas outside of the heat advisory areas precautions against the heat should be taken.

With the heat and humidity, a cold front will be approaching the region from north and west. There will be a reasonable level of instability and sufficient strong wind fields to allow for multi-cell clusters/lines or a line of strong to severe thunderstorms to develop in northern New England and moving south and east into the region towards late afternoon and evening. Two key items to determine the extent and coverage of any strong to severe thunderstorms:

1.) Cooling aloft in the atmosphere is marginal and this could make the thunderstorms more widely scattered from a strong to severe perspective. Other factors including a very moisture laden atmosphere could offset this condition.
2.) The timing of the cold front or a possible pre-frontal boundary making its way across the region to allow for forcing a trigger to take advantage of the level of instability and sufficient wind fields in the atmosphere.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are possible late Monday Afternoon into Monday Evening. Another coordination message will be issued by 930 AM ET Monday. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

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

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

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

SPC Convective Day-2 Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2018/day2otlk_20180617_1730.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

Read more

Special Announcement: 2018 ARRL Hurricane Webinar Recording Now Available

Hello to all….

There have been a number of inquiries regarding a location for the 2018 ARRL Hurricane Webinar recording. It is now available on Youtube via the ARRL Youtube channel at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzp9vLv4PvY&feature=youtu.be

We hope many folks listen and enjoy the 2018 ARRL Hurricane Webinar recording!

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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