Storm Coordination Message #2 – Saturday 12/14/13-Sunday 12/15/13 Winter Storm Event

December 13, 2013 Rob Macedo Leave a comment

Hello to all..

..Coastal Storm on track to affect much of Southern New England with Heavy Snow and a wintry mix of precipitation..
..A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from 1 PM Saturday Afternoon to 1 PM Sunday Afternoon for Southern New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Northwest Providence County in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts from Norfolk County north and west including the Metro Boston region. Total snowfall of 6-10 inches of snow with isolated higher amounts followed by a trace of ice is likely..
..A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for Southeast Providence and Western Kent Counties in Rhode Island, Northern Bristol and Western Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and has been extended into Eastern Kent and Washington Counties of Rhode Island. Total snowfall of 4-6 inches of snow and a trace of ice are possible in this area. Snowfall in this area is near the threshold of advisory level versus warning level snowfall currently..
..Areas outside of the Winter Storm Watch/Warning area could potentially receive 2-5″ of snow along South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island west of the Cape Cod Canal before a changeover to rain. Over Cape Cod and the Islands, 1-2″ of snow/ice is expected before a change over to rain..
..Some Uncertainty still exists on exact snowfall and icing amounts which will depend on any changeover in precipitation..
..A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect from 8 AM-Noon for the morning high tide cycle of East Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands for minor coastal flooding of shore roads due to high tide. Portions of Cape Cod and the Islands could potentially see 40-50 MPH wind gusts during Sunday Morning..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is currently expected to start at 600 PM Saturday Evening. It is noted that the heaviest snowfall is expected between roughly 10 PM Saturday Night-4 AM Sunday Morning and this may mean some level of overnight ops for this storm system..

A coastal winter storm that has been modeled for several days remains likely for Southern New England. Winter Storm Watches have been upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings for Southern New Hampshire, all of interior Massachusetts including the Metro Boston area and Northeast Coastal Massachusetts through Norfolk County Massachusetts as well as Northern Connecticut, and Northwest Providence Counties of Rhode Island. Total snowfall of 6-10″ with isolated higher amounts followed by a changeover to sleet and freezing rain producing a trace of ice accumulation.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for Southeast Providence and Western Kent Counties in Rhode Island, Northern Bristol and Western Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and has been extended into Eastern Kent and Washington Counties of Rhode Island. Total snowfall of 4-6 inches of snow and a trace of ice are possible in this area. Snowfall in this area is near the threshold of advisory level versus warning level snowfall currently. The watch will likely be converted to a Winter Weather Advisory or Winter Storm Warning in future updates.

Areas outside of the Winter Storm Watch/Warning area could potentially receive 2-5″ of snow along South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island west of the Cape Cod Canal before a changeover to rain. Winter Weather Advisories could be issued for areas west of Cape Cod and the Islands. Over Cape Cod and the Islands, 1-2″ of snow/ice is expected before a change over to rain.

There remains some uncertainty in exact snow and ice amounts and this will be dependent on the timing of the precipitation type changeover. If the storm tracks a bit closer to the coast, it will allow for mixed precipitation further inland. A track slightly more offshore would allow for more snow to occur in areas that are currently expected to get mixed precipitation.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is now in effect for East Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands from 8-12 AM Sunday. Minor coastal flooding could occur resulting in one lane or road closures along most exposed north and east facing beaches in this area. Also, over portions of the Cape Cod and the Islands, there is the potential for wind gusts of 40-50 MPH which will also be monitored.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is currently expected to start at 600 PM Saturday Evening. It is noted that the heaviest snowfall is expected between roughly 10 PM Saturday Night-4 AM Sunday Morning and this may mean some level of overnight ops for this storm system. Another coordination message will be issued by Noon Saturday. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch Statement, Coastal Flood Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Taunton Snowfall Map (the map breaks down the snowfall ranges more specifically):

NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html

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

NWS Taunton Snowfall Map:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/StormTotalSnow/index.php

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
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