Storm Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday Night 12/16/20 Through Thursday Afternoon 12/17/20 Major Winter Storm Potential

Hello to all…

..Potential exists for a significant major winter storm for at least the southern half of Southern New England and could spread into most or all of Southern New England depending on the track, speed and intensity of the system as it approaches our region. The major winter storm will have the potential to bring heavy snow, strong wind gusts at the coast of up to 50 MPH and the potential for minor to low-end moderate coastal flooding at the time of high tide Thursday..
..A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for all of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts except for Nantucket Island for the potential of 6″ or more of snow and wind gusts of 40-50 MPH. Additional Watches may be required in future updates pending future model updates and the track, speed and intensity of the storm system as it approaches our region..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets likely late Wednesday Night through Thursday Afternoon..

A potentially significant and major winter storm across the southern half of Southern New England but it could spread into most or all of Southern New England depending on the track, speed and intensity of the winter storm. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors include:

1.) Where the cutoff of snowfall occurs in northern and northwest parts of the area, this could be around the Mass Pike or further north along or north of the Route 2 corridor.
2.) Multiple models bring very heavy snowfall to the Winter Storm Watch area with some potential for areas just north of the Winter Storm Watch area to get into this heavy snowfall area. This might require additional Winter Storm Watches for areas of Eastern, South-Central and Southwest Massachusetts. The southernmost model which keeps the heaviest snow near or just along the south coast has been gradually shifting northward to align with international and other model guidance.
3.) Areas of 12″ or more of snow could occur somewhere in the Winter Storm Watch area. There is also the potential this could shift north and west and future model runs will determine that potential and where additional Winter Storm Watches may be needed if necessary.
4.) The low pressure system will not be particularly strong but the pressure gradient of winds between low pressure to the south and high pressure to the north coupled with high astronomical tides will result in minor to possibly low-end moderate coastal flooding depending on the strength of the winds at the time of high tide.
5.) Wind gusts of 40-50 MPH are expected along Southeast coastal New England. This could result in isolated tree and power line damage and isolated power outages. If the system were to be stronger than currently modeled, the potential for stronger wind gusts would increase.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets likely late Wednesday Night through Thursday Afternoon. Another coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Winter Storm Watch Statement, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and Snowfall Maps:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.fxus61.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Storm Watch Statement:
https://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

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

NWS Boston/Norton Snowfall Maps:
https://www.weather.gov/box/winter

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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
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