Storm Coordination Message #2 – Late Thursday Night 12/22/22-Saturday 12/24/22 High Impact Storm Potential
Hello to all…
..High impact storm will bring significant hazards to Southern New England in the form of strong to damaging winds, minor to moderate coastal flood potential and heavy rainfall with the potential for urban, poor drainage, river, and stream flooding late Thursday Night into Friday Night with the strong to damaging wind potential extending into a portion of the day Saturday. Preparations for the potential of scattered to numerous pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages should begin now and if power isn’t lost, you are prepared for the next significant storm event when it occurs..
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect from Friday Morning through Saturday Morning for all of Eastern Massachusetts for sustained south winds 25-35 MPH with wind gusts to 65 MPH and isolated higher wind gusts possible. These winds could result in scattered to numerous pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. Other areas outside of the High Wind Watches may need wind headlines in future updates..
..A Coastal Flood Watch remains in effect from late Thursday Night Through Friday Afternoon for all of East and South Coastal Massachusetts and South Coastal Rhode Island for 1 to 2 feet of coastal inundation above ground level possible in low-lying areas near shorelines resulting in widespread minor to pockets of moderate coastal flooding at the time of the high tide cycle in these coastal areas..
..Additional watches, warnings and advisories are likely in later updates.In addition to the damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall of 1-3″ with isolated higher amounts are likely region wide. A brief period of snow and ice at the start of the storm changing over to heavy rain is expected in the higher elevations of Western and Northern Massachusetts. All areas could see heavy rainfall change back to a brief period of snow and ice before ending Friday Evening with the possibility of some slippery travel before the storm ends from this precipitation and any leftover freezing of any wet roads if not dried out by strong winds. People with travel plans particularly on Friday 12/23 but also into Christmas Eve should closely monitor the forecast..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely to monitor this multi-hazard storm system Friday Morning into Christmas Eve..
A high impact storm will bring significant hazards to Southern New England during a busy travel time for the Christmas holiday on Friday into Christmas Eve. The headlines depict the current thinking with the big update being a High Wind Watch for Eastern Massachusetts for Friday Morning into Saturday Morning. Key factors remain:
1.) The strong to damaging wind potential is the most widespread concern in the region and could result in scattered to numerous pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. These winds could also be enhanced in the vicinity of heavier rainfall/downpours, convective showers and possibly even a thunderstorm or two. The key factor which is typical in southerly wind events is how much of those very strong winds will reach the surface and what areas will see the strongest winds in and around the High Wind Watch area.
2.) A widespread 1-3″ rainfall is expected in the region with isolated higher amounts. In areas of the east slopes of Berkshires and along the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border, the recent heavier snowfall, snow melt and rainfall could result in some urban, poor drainage, river and stream flooding. Across other parts of Southern New England, urban and poor drainage flooding is possible. It is also noted that the heavy rain may start as a brief period of snow and ice in those higher elevations of Western and Northern Massachusetts before quickly changing over to rain, heavy at times.
3.) As we get into late Friday Night into early Saturday, there could be a changeover to snow before ending with little accumulation. Depending on residual moisture on road ways and the expected rapid cool down in temperatures, icy conditions could develop for a period of time early Saturday morning.
4.) Strong winds will continue into Saturday (Christmas Eve). They won’t be as strong as Friday but could gust 40-45 MPH with isolated higher wind gusts. This will be detailed more as we get closer to this storm event.
SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely to monitor this multi-hazard storm system Friday Morning into Christmas Eve. Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 PM Wednesday Evening. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Watch Statement, High Wind Watch Map, Coastal Flood Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Watch Map, Coastal Flood Wave Map, Wind Gust Map, Storm Total Rainfall Map and the Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Watch Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Watch Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/High_Wind_Watch_Graphic_1.jpg
NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Watch Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=CFW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Watch Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Coastal_Flood_Watch_Graphic_1.jpg
NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Wave Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Max_Wave_Height_Coastal_Flooding.png
NWS Boston/Norton Wind Gust Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Wind_Gust_Map_2.png
NWS Boston/Norton Storm Total Rainfall Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Storm_Total_Rainfall_Graphic_2.png
NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org