Hello to all..

Severe Weather Preparedness Week was Monday April 30th through Friday May 4th, 2012. The National Weather Service in Taunton issued Public Information Statements on Severe Weather Preparedness Week covering severe weather safety tips, various facets of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and covered the June 1st, 2011 Tornado Outbreak affecting Western Massachusetts. The NWS Taunton Public Information Statements from Severe Weather Preparedness Week are listed below:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/severe_weather_preparedness_week_2012.txt

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
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

SKYWARN Newsletter #270 is now available in the SKYWARN Newsletter archive off the main menu of the web site. The direct link is listed below: http://beta.wx1box.org/local/news270.htm

Regards,

Rob Macedo (KD1CY)

ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts

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Hello to all..

As has been the case for the past 9 years, Amateur Radio Operators were present
at WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio Station at the NWS Taunton Forecast Office. 500
total contacts were made with 460 unique contacts made earning the operation
the ‘Category 1 Hurricane Certificate’. This was the best operation in
terms of total contacts and NWS offices contacted. A total of 12 Amateur
Operators participated in the operation including ARRL HQ Manager of
Preparedness and Response, Mike Corey-KI1U and Assistant ARRL HQ
Manager of Preparedness and Response, Ken Bailey-K1FUG. The complete
report of the operation can be seen via the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/SKYWARN_Recognition_Day_2011_Report.pdf

The national web site, which features statistics from the event at a national
level as well as photos from the NWS Taunton-WX1BOX operation as well as other
NWS offices can be seen via the following link:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/hamradio/

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
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

We have confirmed two additional SKYWARN Training sessions this week. The Attleboro session has been rescheduled to June 21st from 7-10 PM at Sturdy Memorial Hospital and a session in Nashua NH has been scheduled. Additional sessions are still being scheduled for the June and July timeframe. The complete schedule of SKYWARN Training sessions can be seen via the links below:

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Schedule Listing on WX1BOX:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Schedule listing on the NWS Taunton Web Site:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/officePrograms/skywarn/skywarnTraining.shtml

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
http://beta.wx1box.org

 

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Hello to all..

Two updates to the SKYWARN Training Schedule.

1.) The Attleboro session will need to be rescheduled and it will likely be in the June timeframe. The hospital called the sponsoring Sturdy Memorial Amateur Radio Club and notified them of a last minute conflict. We apologize for the inconvience this causes but occasionally this happens. We will update everyone when the class has been rescheduled.

2.) We have added a training session on Nantucket Island for Saturday May 19th from 1-4 PM for those living on the island and anyone happening to visit who may want to attend the session.

The complete training schedule can be seen at:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

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
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

..Beneficial Rainfall ongoing across the region and will last through late Monday Morning or early Monday Afternoon, however, it will be heavy enough to cause potential flooding of urban and poor drainage areas and possibly some small streams in the region. Strong Winds will occur in southeast coastal locations later Sunday Night into Monday Morning..
..A Flood Watch remains in effect from Sunday Evening through Monday Morning for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands for 2-4″ of rainfall with isolated higher amounts possible..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect from Midnight through 10 AM Monday for South Coastal Massachusett and Rhode Island including the Plymouth, Mass. area. Other parts of East Coastal Massachusetts as well as higher terrain locations in Western and Central New England could see winds approach wind advisory criteria during this timeframe and will be monitored..
..SKYWARN Activation in some form remans likely late Sunday Night into Monday Morning. Ops at NWS Taunton remains possible..

At 510 PM, Doppler Radar showed rain across much of Southern New England. Rain is expected to continue overnight into Monday Morning. So far, rain amounts across Eastern Massachusetts into Southern New Hampshire are in the .10-.50″ range. While rain amounts across Rhode Island, Connecticut and into Western Massachusetts are mostly in the .25-.75″ range. Heavier rainfall will occur across the region overnight into Monday Morning. A Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands for urban and poor drainage flooding and small stream flooding for streams that respond more rapidly in nature to short-term heavier rainfall. Total rainfall of 2-4 inches remain likely with isolated higher rainfall amounts possible and those higher amounts are likely to be in the western parts of the region.

Another concern with this system will be strong winds. At this time, there is still some uncertainty on how much wind will be brought down to the surface as winds just off the surface will be quite strong but could be as low as even some of the hilly terrain locations of Western and Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. The South to Southeast wind flow would seem to favor south coastal locations with the strongest winds. A Wind Advisory is now in effect from Midnight through 10 AM Monday for South Coastal Massachusett and Rhode Island including the Plymouth, Mass. area. Other parts of East Coastal Massachusetts as well as higher terrain locations in Western and Central New England could see winds approach wind advisory criteria during this timeframe and will be monitored.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor conditions overnight into Monday Morning timeframe. Ops at NWS Taunton will not be used at this time but that will be monitored during the overnight. This will likely be the last coordination message on this storm unless an upgrade to the situation occurs and/or Ops at NWS Taunton are initiated. Below is the NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement, Flood Watch Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Flood Watch statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus61.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

 

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Hello to all..

..Beneficial Rainfall still expected to effect the region starting Sunday Afternoon lasting through early Monday Afternoon, however, it will be heavy enough to cause potential flooding of urban and poor drainage areas and flashier small streams in the region. Strong to Damaging Winds remain possible in coastal locations later Sunday Night into Monday Morning..
..A Flood Watch remains in effect from Sunday Evening through Monday Morning for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands for 2-4″ of rainfall with isolated higher amounts possible..
..SKYWARN Activation in some form remans likely late Sunday Night into Monday Morning. Ops at NWS Taunton remains possible..

At 920 AM, Doppler Radar showed rain south of Long Island and getting into Southern New Jersey. This rain will work into portions of Southern New England towards midday and afternoon becoming heavier as we move into Sunday Night and Monday Morning. No signficant changes have been made to the forecast at this time. No wind headlines have been posted due to uncertainities in how much wind will mix down to the surface. The remainder of the coordination message is unchanged. Another update will be posted by 7 PM this evening.

A coastal storm, which we have not seen since since late last year, will affect the region Sunday Afternoon into early Monday Afternoon. The storm system will bring much needed and beneficial rainfall, however, the rainfall may come in a relatively short period of time and this could result in urban and poor drainage flooding as well as flashier small stream flooding. Mainstem rivers should not experience any flood issues. A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands for urban and poor drainage flooding and small stream flooding for streams that are flashier in nature in rainfall response. Total rainfall of 2-4 inches are likely with isolated higher rainfall amounts possible.

Another concern with this system will be strong to damaging winds along the coastline. At this time, it is unclear how much wind will be brought down to the surface as winds just off the surface will be quite strong. It appears at least Wind Advisory criteria could be met over portions of East and South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Cape Cod and the Islands. There is the possibility for even stronger winds if an inversion which could keep stronger winds just off the surface is broken. That would allow for stronger winds to reach portions of the area.

SKYWARN Activation in some form is likely some time in the Sunday Night to Monday Morning timeframe. Ops at NWS Taunton are possible as well. The next coordination message will be issued by 8 PM Sunday Evening. Below is the NWS Taunton Flood Watch Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Flood Watch statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus61.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more

Hello to all..

..Beneficial Rainfall to effect the region starting Sunday Afternoon lasting through early Monday Afternoon, however, it will be heavy enough to cause potential flooding of urban and poor drainage areas and flashier small streams in the region. Strong to Damaging Winds are also possible in coastal locations later Sunday Night into Monday Morning..
..A Flood Watch is now in effect from Sunday Evening through Monday Morning for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands for 2-4″ of rainfall with isolated higher amounts possible..
..SKYWARN Activation in some form likely late Sunday Night into Monday Morning. Ops at NWS Taunton are possible..

A coastal storm, which we have not seen since since late last year, will affect the region Sunday Afternoon into early Monday Afternoon. The storm system will bring much needed and beneficial rainfall, however, the rainfall may come in a relatively short period of time and this could result in urban and poor drainage flooding as well as flashier small stream flooding. Mainstem rivers should not experience any flood issues. A Flood Watch is in effect for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands for urban and poor drainage flooding and small stream flooding for streams that are flashier in nature in rainfall response. Total rainfall of 2-4 inches are likely with isolated higher rainfall amounts possible.

Another concern with this system will be strong to damaging winds along the coastline. At this time, it is unclear how much wind will be brought down to the surface as winds just off the surface will be quite strong. It appears at least Wind Advisory criteria could be met over portions of East and South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Cape Cod and the Islands. There is the possibility for even stronger winds if an inversion which could keep stronger winds just off the surface is broken. That would allow for stronger winds to reach portions of the area.

SKYWARN Activation in some form is likely some time in the Sunday Night to Monday Morning timeframe. Ops at NWS Taunton are possible as well. The next coordination message will be issued by 10 AM Sunday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Flood Watch Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Flood Watch statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus61.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

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Hello to all..

The SKYWARN Training Schedule has an additional class added at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Rice-Webb Auditorium, in Attleboro Massachusetts for Thursday May 17th from 7-10 PM. The complete 2012 SKYWARN Training Schedule can be seen at the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

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
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more

Hello to all..

As many of you are aware, Southern New England has experienced drought-like conditions due to much below normal precipitation that has occurred since the start of 2012. Given these conditions, the National Weather Service in Taunton has started issuing Drought Information Statements. The first of such statements appears below with another one issued in about a month’s time, sooner if condition warrants. See the NWS Taunton Drought Information Statement below:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/drought_1.txt

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
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more