June 2024

Severe Weather Coordination Message #2 – Sunday Afternoon & Evening 6/30/24 – Severe Weather Potential

June 30, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Scattered to Numerous Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are likely across much of Southern New England Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats with an isolated tornado a secondary risk..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has most of Southern New England in an Enhanced risk for severe weather for Sunday with a slight risk for areas of Southern New England not in Enhanced risk. SPC has issued a Mesoscale Convective Discussion indicating an 80% chance of a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Southern New England. Threat timeframe is slightly expanded to between 12-10 PM Sunday..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely as the potential strong to severe thunderstorms traverse the region Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Pictures and videos of storm damage can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

We will be posting updated post severe weather coordination messages on the prior severe weather events over the course of this weekend. We appreciate and thank all Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters for the reports, pictures and videos during those events and if there is more data available, please feel free to send it along to us.

Turning our attention to Sunday’s severe weather potential, the headlines depict the current thinking with the risk increasing of widespread pockets of straightline wind damage in addition to the other hazards mentioned in the headlines. SPC has indicated an 80% chance for severe thunderstorm watches as we go through the day today. The key factors to dictating the coverage and intensity include:

1.) Amount of heating and destabilization we receive ahead of a strong cold front. As of 945 AM Monday, satellite imagery shows clearing from west to east across the area with radar showing showers and thunderstorms in the South-Central New York/Northeast Pennsylvania area. Heating and destabilization should build across the region as expected and has likely built confidence in the severe weather potential resulting in the update to Enhanced risk for most of Southern New England.
2.) Shear profiles will be very strong and with the heating and destabilization looking to be as expected, this sets the stage for a more widespread severe weather event especially with widespread pockets of wind damage in the region.
3.) Cold frontal timing which remains in the ideal time range to maximize heating and destabilization.
4.) While the severe weather potential is expected to be more widespread, not every city or town will see damage and the cities and towns that see damage will likely be in pockets of the communities like most severe thunderstorm events that affect the region.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely as the potential strong to severe thunderstorms traverse the region Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Pictures and videos of storm damage can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. This will be the last coordination message unless a significant change to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook and SPC Mesoscale Convective Discussion:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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

SPC Mesoscale Convective Discussion:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md1487.html

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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
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Uncategorized

Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Sunday Afternoon & Evening 6/30/24 – Severe Weather Potential

June 29, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible to likely across much of Southern New England Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has all of Southern New England in a slight risk for severe weather for Sunday. Threat timeframe is between 12-8 PM Sunday..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely as the potential strong to severe thunderstorms traverse the region Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Pictures and videos of storm damage can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

Turning our attention to Sunday’s severe weather potential, the headlines depict the current thinking and as we get closer to the severe weather potential, we will have a better idea of coverage and intensity. The key factors to dictating the coverage and intensity include:

1.) Amount of heating and destabilization we receive ahead of a strong cold front after any morning showers and thunderstorms clear the region.
2.) Shear profiles will be very strong. If heating and destabilization is somewhat less than expected, the strong winds aloft may offset to some extent lesser instability.
3.) Cold frontal timing which is currently expected to be in the ideal time range to maximize heating and destabilization.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely as the potential strong to severe thunderstorms traverse the region Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Pictures and videos of storm damage can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Another coordination message will be posted either by 11 PM Saturday Evening or 11 AM Sunday Morning depending on changes to the forecast and other factors. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2024/day2otlk_20240629_0600.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Post Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday Evening 6/26/24-Early Thursday AM 6/27/24 Severe Weather Outbreak

June 27, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Severe Weather Outbreak impacted portions of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts. A measured wind gust to 77 MPH was recorded at the Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT and a 75 MPH wind gust was recorded by a trained spotter in Danielson, CT. Widespread pockets of tree and power lines damage with the hardest hit areas being Northern Connecticut, Northern Rhode Island and interior Southeast Massachusetts..
..Pictures, videos, and any late wind damage, hail flood or rain gauge reports 1″ or more are welcomed to document this potent severe weather outbreak. They can be send as a reply to this email, via our WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. An updated specific coordination message on this event will be posted either later Thursday 6/27/24 or Friday Morning 6/28/24. A preliminary WX1BOX Amateur Radio log is listed below..

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_27_24_rev_1.pdf

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Severe Weather Coordination Message #2 – Late Wednesday PM/Evening/Overnight 6/26/24 Severe Weather Potential

June 26, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms remain possible late Wednesday Afternoon into late Wednesday Night particularly over Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut but all of interior Southern New England should monitor the potential. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. Severe weather potential will be after 4-11 PM Wednesday give or take a few hours. There could be some activity that starts earlier in the evening and also some activity beyond 11 PM into the overnight hours..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are possible for the severe weather potential..

Heat and Humidity will return on Wednesday in the region followed by a cold front. This cold front will not be ideally timed to take advantage of maximum instability, however, strong wind shear and other factors may allow for at least an isolated severe thunderstorm threat. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors remain:

1.) If the timing of the front were to speed up and be closer to the higher instability levels, the severe weather potential would increase.
2.) If a complex of severe thunderstorms were to form out west, the storms may maintain themselves better as they enter our region especially in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut even with the current timing.
3.) If wind shear and other factors are able to offset lowering instability to produce at least isolated severe thunderstorms with the current timing.
4.) There could also be some activity with the pre-frontal trough in the mid to late afternoon but shear profiles won’t be as strong and there could be other mitigating factors such as lack of moisture in the mid to upper levels but this will also bear watching this afternoon and evening.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are possible for the severe weather potential. This will be the last coordination message as we move into operations mode. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Severe Weather Coordination Message #1 – Late Wednesday PM through Late Wednesday Night 6/25/24 Severe Weather Potential

June 25, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible late Wednesday Afternoon into late Wednesday Night particularly over Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut but all of interior Southern New England should monitor the potential. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. Severe weather potential will be between 4-11 PM Wednesday give or take a couple of hours..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are possible for the severe weather potential..

1.) If the timing of the front were to speed up and be closer to the higher instability levels, the severe weather potential would increase.
2.) If a complex of severe weather were to form out west, the storms may maintain themselves better as they enter our region especially in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut even with the current timing.
3.) If wind shear and other factors are able to offset lowering instability to produce at least isolated severe thunderstorms with the current timing.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are possible for the severe weather potential. Another coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Wednesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2024/day2otlk_20240625_1730.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Post Severe Weather Message #1 – Wednesday 6/19/24 through Sunday 6/23/24 Severe Weather Events

June 25, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Five consecutive days of severe weather affected the region Wednesday 6/19/24 through Sunday 6/23/24 as intense heat and humidity gripped the region..
..Sunday 6/23/24 saw less severe weather than its full potential across Southern New England but portions of Connecticut had areas hit with severe weather and the hardest hit areas were Southington, Windsor, Tolland and Marlborough, CT. In neighboring New Hampshire, it was determined that an EF1 Tornado impacted Dublin NH..
..On Friday 6/21/24, it was determined that an EF0 Tornado impacted Harwinton, CT. While no tornadoes occurred in Southern New England during this stretch of severe weather, numerous pockets of wind damage with some more concentrated areas of damage occurred over the Wednesday to Sunday timeframe..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend operations were successful with several Field Day sites taking safety precautions as thunderstorms approached and had rain gear etc. for rains that hit their various sites but all operations scheduled for the weekend occurred as planned..
..Late reports, pictures and videos of storm damage, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Below are links to the WX1BOX Amateur Radio logs, NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Reports and Public Information Statements from NWS Albany NY on the Friday 6/21/24 Harwinton, CT tornado and Sunday 6/23/24 NWS Gray Maine – EF1 Tornado in Dublin NH..
..This message will be updated if time allows by the weekend with Facebook Photo Albums of the various severe weather events..

Below is information from the prior severe weather events from Wednesday 6/19 through Sunday 6/23:

Sunday 6/23/24 Severe Weather Event:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_23_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_23_24.pdf

Saturday 6/22/24 Severe Weather Event:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_22_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_22_24.pdf

Friday 6/21/24 Severe Weather Event:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_21_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_21_24.pdf

Thursday 6/20/24 Severe Weather Event:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_20_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_20_24.pdf

Wednesday 6/19/24 Severe Weather Event:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_19_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_19_24.pdf

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #4 – Sunday 6/23/24

June 23, 2024 Rob Macedo

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 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..A higher end severe weather event/outbreak is likely today, Sunday, in Western and Central Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut with other portions of interior Southern New England north and west of a Boston to Providence line also likely to see severe weather today. Amateur Radio Field Day sites in the region should be on high alert and have multiple ways to receive weather information as the Field Day operation winds down Sunday Afternoon into early evening..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western and Central Massachusetts in Enhanced Risk for severe weather today with a slight risk for severe weather in Connecticut, Eastern Massachusetts and much of Rhode Island with a Marginal Risk for severe weather for the rest of Southern New England. Threat timeframe is from 1-10 PM Sunday. Storm coverage today is expected to be the highest of this 5 day stretch of severe weather with potential for higher end severe weather today over a wider area..
..Strong to damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats for Sunday with the main risk area in interior Southern New England north and west of a Boston to Providence line..
..A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 7 PM Sunday Evening for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices to 97 degrees..
..Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..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..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Sunday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Pictures, videos and storm damage reports from today or this stretch of severe weather from Wednesday through Saturday can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..
..Saturday’s severe weather event along with the severe weather events from Wednesday through Friday are covered after messaging about Sunday’s potential severe weather outbreak..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

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

As we close out Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, we have the potential for a higher end severe weather outbreak in much of interior Southern New England as a stronger cold front that is a stronger triggering mechanism, strong wind shear profiles coupled with similar levels of instability as we have seen the last few days to result in a potential severe weather outbreak with all modes of severe weather, damaging winds, hail, isolated tornadoes and heavy rainfall leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are potential threats. The timeframe is from 1-10 PM Sunday Afternoon and Evening as Amateur Radio Field Day winds down and takedown of field setups will be occurring.

The severe weather could come in one long round of activity or be in two rounds with activity ahead of the front that will be more discreet cells followed by a line of severe thunderstorms with the actual cold front. This will evolve as we go through the day today.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Sunday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Pictures, videos and storm damage reports from today or this stretch of severe weather from Wednesday through Saturday can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook and Twitter feeds or via the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated.

Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook and NWS Norton Heat Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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

NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

Below is information from the prior severe weather events from Wednesday 6/19 through Saturday 6/22:

On Saturday, another round of severe weather affected the region with the hardest hit areas for wind damage in Wilbraham, Hampden and into the Stafford Springs, CT area. If there are any additional post storm damage, hail, and flood pictures and videos or reports, we would appreciate them. See the Amateur Radio Report log and Local Storm Report info below:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_22_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_22_24.pdf

On Friday, severe weather and flash flooding developed in portions of Western and Central Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Western Rhode Island. See the Amateur Radio report log and Local Storm Report info below:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_21_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_21_24.pdf

Thursday saw the severe weather coverage increase in area with pockets of wind damage and hail across Western, North-Central and Northeast Massachusetts. See the Amateur Radio Report log and Local Storm Report info below:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_20_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_20_24.pdf

On Wednesday, severe weather activity which was expected to stay north of Southern New England spilled into Northwest and North-Central Massachusetts with pockets of wind damage and flooding noted across parts of Franklin, Hampshire and Northwest Worcester Counties. See the Amateur Radio Report log and Local Storm Report info below:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_19_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_19_24.pdf

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are 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 as there is a threat for thunderstorm development and any thunderstorm can be a threat to the safety of Amateur Radio Field Day sites. 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:
https://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

With the thunderstorm threat for this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that 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 and we have also added a link from last year’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Public Information Statements on Lightning Safety from both 2023 and 2024. See links below:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/lightning_safety_awareness_PNS_2023.pdf
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lightning_safety_awareness_PNS_2024.pdf

This will be the last Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message as Field Day weekend ends and due to likely SKYWARN Operations this afternoon and evening. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has had a great weekend!

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

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

June 22, 2024 Rob Macedo

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 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..This year’s Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend will feature the risk for Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms for Saturday and Sunday. It will remain warm and humid over most of Southern New England with some relief in Northeast Massachusetts Saturday before warm and humid conditions resume there for Sunday..
..A Heat Advisory is now in effect through 7 PM Sunday Evening for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices to 97 degrees..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western and Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and interior Rhode Island in a Marginal Risk for severe weather for Saturday. Threat timeframe is from1-8 PM Saturday. Storm coverage is expected to be similar to Friday and perhaps slightly stronger if enough sun and heating for instability and destabilization is realized with slightly stronger wind shear profiles aloft..
..SPC has placed Western and North-Central Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut in a slight risk for severe weather Sunday with the rest of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. Rough timing window for this potential is 1-10 PM Sunday and will be fine-tuned in future updates..
..Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats this weekend but an isolated brief tornado cannot be ruled out for Saturday and an isolated tornado risk exists Sunday in the slight risk area of Western and Northwest Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut and will be monitored closely..
..At this time, not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop. This will be monitored throughout the weekend..
..Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..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..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Saturday and Sunday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_19_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_19_24.pdf

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_20_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_20_24.pdf

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_21_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_21_24.pdf

As we enter into Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, the thunderstorm and greatest severe weather potential will be across Western and Central Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Western Rhode Island for Saturday similar to how Friday was and this is on the warm end of the frontal boundary draped across the area. For Sunday, all of Southern New England has the potential for thunderstorms and severe weather with the greatest risk in the slight risk for severe weather area across Western and North-Central Masachusetts and Northwest Connecticut. This potential will be monitored closely as it may overlap with the end of Field Day weekend and the takedown of Amateur Radio station sites. Here is a breakdown of potential hazards by each day:

Saturday Afternoon and Evening:
Clouds and fog are burning off from west to eat which should allow for the heating and destabilization necessary to initiate severe thunderstorm development in the Marginal Risk for severe weather area. There is a bit more wind shear than the prior severe weather days and if the instability can develop with heating, it will set the stage for severe weather coverage similar to Friday in a similar area as yesterday. Threat timeframe is 1-8 PM which is also similar to Friday.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening:
This could be a day where much of Southern New England has severe weather potential and there is increasing risk for severe weather particularly in interior Southern New England with the greatest threat in Western and North-Central Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. Wind shear profiles appear even stronger Sunday versus earlier in the week. The threat timeframe right now is between 1-10 PM Sunday and will be fine-tuned in the next coordination message and the headlines depict the current severe weather risk area for Southern New England.

While not as hot as earlier in the week, it will still be warm and humid for outdoor activities over the Field Day weekend period so Field Day sites should have plenty of liquids on hand and a place nearby to cool down whether it be a building or cars with AC to stay cool from the heat. Heat tips and safety guidelines are also included in this message. Northeast Massachusetts will have the most relief from the heat Saturday but the heat will return there as we get into Sunday.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Saturday and Sunday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1, and Day-2 Convective Outlooks and NWS Norton Heat Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

The next Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Sunday Morning due to likely SKYWARN Operations this afternoon and evening. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has a great weekend!

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #2 – Friday 6/21/24-Sunday 6/23/24

June 21, 2024 Rob Macedo

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 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..This year’s Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend will feature the risk for Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will remain warm and humid over most of Southern New England with some relief in Northeast Massachusetts Friday Afternoon into Saturday before warm and humid conditions resume there for Sunday. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 7 PM for Northern Connecticut, Hampden, Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices to 95 degrees.
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western and Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and interior Rhode Island in a Marginal Risk for severe weather Friday. Threat timeframe between 1-8 PM Friday. SPC has placed Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut in a marginal risk for severe weather Saturday. Threat timeframe 1-8 PM Saturday as well. SPC has placed all of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. Timing will be better known for Sunday’s severe weather potential on Saturday..
..Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats this weekend..
..At this time, not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop. This will be monitored throughout the weekend..
..Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..Conditions will be warm and humid Friday through Sunday though not as hot as earlier this week particularly in areas of Northeast Massachusetts which will have less heat and humidity Friday and into Saturday before becoming warm and humid again. Portions of Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Northern Rhode Island may continue to have heat similar to the previous days through Friday before conditions cool slightly Saturday but remain warm and humid over this time period..
..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..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Friday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and possible Saturday through this weekend. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_19_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_19_24.pdf

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_20_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_20_24.pdf

For Friday as we enter into Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, the thunderstorm and greatest severe weather potential will be across Western and Central Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and North-Central Rhode Island. For Saturday, the greatest severe weather potential is Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and for Sunday all of Southern New England has the potential for thunderstorms and severe weather. Here is a breakdown of potential hazards by each day:

Friday Afternoon and Evening:
The Severe Thunderstorm potential maybe a bit more isolated, perhaps similar to Wednesday of this week. It will be dependent on the frontal position that will bring cooler air into Northeast Massachusetts and amount of shear that overlaps with greater instability in the marginal risk area. Threat timeframe is 1-8 PM. In addition to the severe weather and lightning potential, flooding from very heavy downpours will bear close watching for flooding issues in areas that get repeated downpours.

Saturday Afternoon and Evening:
This will depend on what occurs Friday and if the front that will be over the region separating warmer and more humid air from somewhat cooler air shifts northeast or holds its current position. If it shifts northeast, much of Southern New England would have thunderstorm and severe weather potential. If it doesn’t shift much, the current area of Marginal Risk denoted by SPC will be the impacted area and this will be updated in future updates. Threat timeframe is 1-8 PM like Friday.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening:
This could be a day where much of Southern New England has severe weather potential but will depend on prior day’s convection, cloud debris, frontal position/triggering mechanism etc. and will be better known as we get to Saturday. Wind shear profiles appear a bit stronger for Sunday. All of Southern New England has a marginal risk for severe weather per SPC. Hazard timing will be better known on Saturday.

While not as hot as earlier in the week, it will still be warm and humid for outdoor activities over the Field Day weekend period so Field Day sites should have plenty of liquids on hand and a place nearby to cool down whether it be a building or cars with AC to stay cool from the heat. Heat tips and safety guidelines are also included in this message. Northeast Massachusetts will have the most relief from the heat Friday into Saturday but the heat will return there as we get into Sunday.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Friday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and possible Saturday through this weekend. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1, Day-2 and Day-3 Convective Outlooks and NWS Norton Heat Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

SPC Day-3 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day3otlk.html

NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

With the thunderstorm threat for this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that 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 and we have also added a link from last year’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Public Information Statements on Lightning Safety and will update with this year’s statements in a future coordination message. See links below:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/lightning_safety_awareness_PNS_2023.pdf

The next Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Saturday Morning due to likely SKYWARN Operations this afternoon and evening. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has a great weekend!

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #1 – Thursday 6/20/24-Sunday 6/23/24

June 20, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all..

..This message covers the severe weather potential for Thursday Afternoon and Evening and the thunderstorm/severe weather potential over the Amateur Radio Field Day weekend period.
..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe thunderstorms are likely this Thursday Afternoon into early evening across interior Southern New England with the greatest threat over Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts but all of interior Southern New England should monitor the potential. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours with urban and poor drainage flood potential are the main threats.
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Massachusetts from the CT/RI border and Norfolk County north in a slight risk of severe weather with the rest of the region away from the south coast and the Cape and Islands in a marginal risk for severe weather for Thursday. Threat timeframe is between 2-9 PM this Thursday Afternoon and Evening..
..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 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program. This message is combined with severe weather message for Thursday 6/20/24..
..There will be the continued threat for Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe thunderstorms across all of the Field Day Weekend period. On Friday the greatest potential will be across Southwest and South-Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Saturday the potential could be in the same areas or expand across more of the northern parts of Southern New England depending on frontal position and Sunday may again be across much of Southern New England..
..Each day’s potential will have some dependency on the previous day’s activity and a front that will be near the region. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats this weekend..
..At this time, not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop. This will be monitored throughout the weekend..
..Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..Conditions will be warm and humid Friday through Sunday though not as hot as earlier this week particularly in areas of Eastern Massachusetts which will have less heat and humidity Friday and possibly into Saturday before becoming warm and humid again. Portions of Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Northern Rhode Island may continue to have heat similar to the previous days through Friday before conditions cool a bit over the weekend but remain warm and humid..
..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..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Thursday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and possible Friday through this weekend. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reports_6_19_24.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LSR_6_19_24.pdf

For Thursday and the 2024 Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, there will be thunderstorm potential throughout the entire period particularly in the afternoon and evening. For Thursday, the thunderstorm and greatest severe weather potential is across interior Southern New England with areas north of the Mass Pike having the greatest potential. For Friday, the thunderstorm and greatest severe weather potential will be across Southwest and South-Central Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and North-Central Rhode Island. For Saturday, the area could be similar to Friday or expand across more of Southern New England depending on frontal position and what occurs on Friday and finally Sunday could have potential across much of Southern New England. Here is a breakdown of potential hazards by each day:

Thursday Afternoon and Evening:
Expecting thunderstorm and severe weather potential similar to yesterday but maybe a bit more widespread and extending south to the Mass. Pike and potentially areas just south of the Mass Pike and east through more of Northeast Mass. Headlines depict the current thinking.

Friday Afternoon and Evening:
Expecting thunderstorm and severe weather potential similar to Thursday but shifted to Southwest and South-Central Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and North-Central Rhode Island. Similar hazards to Thursday expected.

Saturday Afternoon and Evening:
This will depend on what occurs Friday and if the front that will be over the region separating warmer and more humid air from somewhat cooler air shifts northeast. If it shifts northeast much of Southern New England would have thunderstorm and severe weather potential. If it doesn’t shift much, a similar area to Friday will be impacted and this will be updated in future updates.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening:
This could be a day where much of Southern New England but will depend on prior day’s convection, cloud debris etc. and will be better known as we get to within a 48 hour window.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Thursday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 and Day-2 Convective Outlooks:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2024/day2otlk_20240620_0600.html

With the thunderstorm threat for this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that 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 and we have also added a link from last year’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Public Information Statements on Lightning Safety and will update with this year’s statements in a future coordination message. See links below:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/lightning_safety_awareness_PNS_2023.pdf

The next Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Friday Morning. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has a great weekend!

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

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