Storm Coordination Message #2 – Monday AM to late Monday Night 3/16/26 Strong to Damaging Wind/Heavy Rainfall Potential

Hello to all…

..Strong storm system Monday AM through late Monday Night with the worst of the conditions Monday Night will have the potential for strong to damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall of 1-2″ with isolated amounts to 3″ and minor river/stream/urban flooding potential..
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect from Monday Afternoon through late Monday Night for Rhode Island and all of Eastern Massachusetts for sustained winds 20-30 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH and isolated higher wind gusts possible. Wind Advisories are possible to likely for areas west of the High Wind Watch area. These winds will have the potential for isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible will monitor for wind gusts 40 MPH or greater, wind damage, rain gauge reports and minor river/stream/urban flooding potential. Pictures/videos of the storm can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

The headlines depict the current thinking for a strong storm system on Monday with the worst conditions Monday Evening. Key factors include:
1.) A small temperature difference of 1-3 degrees will determine whether wind gusts in the High Wind Watch area are 45-55 MPH or if the wind gusts are more robust of 60 MPH and higher. This will impact how widespread any wind damage will be.
2.) Another factor that will impact the wind damage potential is any thunderstorm activity that can develop and be strong enough to efficiently bring strong to damaging winds down to the surface.
3.) How widespread heavy rainfall will be to cause minor flooding of rivers, streams and urban areas along with any ice jams causing issues with flooding. An ice jam on the Millers River in Athol, MA reported and photographed by a SKYWARN Spotter will be monitored for any flood potential if the heaviest rain develops in that area.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible will monitor for wind gusts 40 MPH or greater, wind damage, rain gauge reports and minor river/stream/urban flooding potential. Pictures/videos of the storm can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. The next coordination message will be posted by 11 PM Sunday Evening. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and 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 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

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
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