Hello to all…

On Saturday May 13th, 2023, the virtual SKYWARN training class was held and recorded. This has been uploaded to the WX1BOX YouTube Channel. The recording link is listed below:

2023 SKYWARN Virtual Class Recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19AQfzxO648

Those that would like to review the class material are encouraged to use the link above and those that are looking to refresh their training and can take the online quiz which can be found off of the wx1box.org web site under the SKYWARN Training Resources menu selection.

Also, we encourage folks to check our our storm recap, prior year’s virtual SKYWARN Training and other videos on the WX1BOX channel and we encourage folks to subscribe to our channel. The YouTube channel information is listed below:

WX1BOX NWS Boston-Norton Amateur Radio SKYWARN YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Also, at the turn of the year, NWS Boston/Norton posted a Prevailing Winds Newsletter. That edition of the newsletter and an archive of prior Prevailing Newsletters can be seen at the following NWS Boston/Norton and wx1box.org links:

NWS Boston/Norton Prevailing Winds Newsletter – December 2022 Edition:
https://www.weather.gov/media/box/prevailing_winds/2022_12_prevailing_winds.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton Prevailing Winds Newsletter Archive:
https://www.weather.gov/box/prevailing_winds

WX1BOX Prevailing Winds Newsletter – December 2022 Edition:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2022_12_prevailing_winds.pdf

WX1BOX Prevailing Winds Newsletter Archive:
https://wx1box.org/prevailing-winds-newsletter-archive/

We hope this information is useful to all and thanks for your continued support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program!

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
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
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Subscribe on Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

Earlier this year, NWS Boston/Norton issued Public Information Statements with information for Flood Safety Awareness Week during the week of 3/13/23-3/17/23 and Severe Weather Preparedness Week from 4/24/23-4/28/23. Below are links to those Public Information Statements with safety and other information to make people aware of these weather hazards:

NWS Boston/Norton – Severe Weather Preparedness Week – Public Information Statements:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PNS_severe_weather_preparedness_week_4_24_23_4_28_23.pdf

NWS Boston/Norton – Flood Safety Awareness Week – Public Information Statements:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PNS_flood_safety_awareness_week_3_13_23-3_17_23.pdf

We hope all of you find this information helpful as we enter the spring/summer severe weather season. Thanks to all for their continued support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program.

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
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box

Hello to all…

WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center will be holding its annual Communications Test, Saturday May 27th, 2023 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT over a variety of modes and bands. The Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center will be operational for this event as mentioned in the purpose of this event section of the announcement. We hope Amateur Radio Operators can participate in this test via the variety of modes available and additional details on test operations are listed below:

Announcement from WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida
WX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Communications Test
Saturday May 27th, 2023 from 9AM – 5 PM EDT (1300z-2100z)

The amateur radio station of the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC (NHC), located on the campus of Florida International University in Miami, will conduct their on-the-air Annual Communications Test on Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 9 AM – 5 PM EDT (1300z- 2100z).

This is the NHC’s 43rd year of public service. NHC Amateur Radio Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R/WX4NHC, reports that the purpose of this event is to test amateur radio equipment and antennas at the NHC as well as operators’ home equipment, antennas, and computers prior to this year’s hurricane season. The 2023 hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.

This event is good practice for amateur radio operators worldwide to practice amateur radio communications during times of severe weather.

Ripoll said WX4NHC will be on HF, VHF, UHF, 2- and 30-meter APRS, and Winlink, To contact the NHC’s amateur radio station send an email to wx4nhc@winlink.org. The subject of the email must contain //WL2K.

The Hurricane Watch Net will try to stay on 14.325 MHz for most of the time, as well as 7.268 MHz depending on propagation. They may also change frequencies due to potential QRM.

You may be able to find WX4NHC on HF by using one of the DX spotting networks, such as the DX Summit website at http://www.dxsummit.fi.

The VoIP Hurricane Net will also be active from 4 PM – 5 PM EDT (2000-2100z), IRLP node 9219/EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203. Visit their website for more information.

WX4NHC will also make a few contacts on local VHF and UHF repeaters, as well as the Florida Statewide Amateur Radio Network (SARnet) system to test station equipment.

QSL cards are available via WD4R with a self-addressed stamped envelope. More information about the NHC is available at their website.

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

73, Julio – WX4NHC/WD4R

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
www.wx4nhc.org
Celebrating 43 years at the
National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

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
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box

Hello to all…

Members of the WX1BOX Amateur Radio Team supported the Amateur Radio Workshop at the 2023 National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans Louisiana, which was back to the traditional live format format at the conference with livestream and video recording completed. The following is a complete 3 hour and 10 minute recording of the 2023 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop from Monday April 3rd, 2023 uploaded via YouTube:

2023 Amateur Radio Workshop – National Hurricane Conference – New Orleans Louisiana Video Recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTpRE0PriJU

Here are the start timeframes for each of the workshop topics (Note: this information is not listed in the Youtube listing):
00:00 Opening Remarks – KD1CY-Rob Macedo – Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
00:30 Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) – Hurricane Fiona Impacts and Hurricane Meteorological Topics – VE1MBR-Bob Robichaud – CHC Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
32:58 WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center Overview & Hurricane Watch Net Overview -WD4R-Julio Ripoll – WX4NHC Assistant NHC Coordinator
1:26:57 Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports with Q&A – Dan Brown – National Hurricane Center Senior Hurricane Specialist
1:43:50 VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems – KD1CY-Rob Macedo – Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net
2:14:01 SATERN Presentation – WB8BZH-Bill Feist, SATERN Southern Territory Coordinator
2:41:43 ARRL/ARES Update – KE5MHV-Josh Johnston, ARRL HQ – Director of Emergency Management
2:57:58 Louisiana Hurricane Ida Response & ARES Update – KD5KNZ-Matt Anderson – Louisiana ARRL Assistant Section Manager

We appreciate everyone who attended the workshop live (30-45 people in the room and about 70+ people on the livestream about half of which remained on until the end despite livestream technical difficulties) and we hope many more will view the video presentation recording via YouTube. There have already been close to 500 views of the video recording to date.

Thanks to all for their continued support of the Amateur Radio Hurricane program led by WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net, SATERN, ARRL, National Hurricane Center and Canadian Hurricane Center as well as all the local regional SKYWARN/CANWARN programs in the United States and Canada and the various local groups that support us internationally. Also, thanks to all for their continued support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program.

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
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
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Hello to all…

..Beneficial rainfall expected for Southern New England later Saturday Morning through early Sunday Morning as a storm system from the south interacts with a cold front but amounts maybe heavy enough for portions of Southern New England where urban and poor drainage flooding could occur particularly if amounts of 3-4″ of rain or more fall over urban and poor drainage areas. Wind Gusts of 30-40 MPH are possible in any heavier downpours later Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Night..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for any rain gauge, flooding, measure wind gusts 40 MPH or greater, wind damage reports later Saturday Morning through early Sunday Morning. This will be the only coordination message on this situation unless a significant upgrade occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and Rainfall Map..

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

NWS Boston/Norton Rainfall Graphic:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NWS_Boston_Norton_Rainfall_Graphic_5_20_23_5_21_23.jpg

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
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wx1box

Hello to all…

Below are all the details including livestream information for the 2023 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop in New Orleans, LA:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2023 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana (http://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over YouTube livestream so this will be a “hybrid workshop”. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. After the workshop is completed, the Amateur Radio Workshop will be uploaded to Youtube for those that can’t attend the sessions live. For 2023, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Monday April 3rd, 2023 from 830 AM-1020 AM CDT (930 AM-1120 AM EDT) and from 1030 AM-1210 PM CDT (1130 AM-110 PM EDT) with door prizes completed between 1210-1220 PM CDT (110-120 PM EDT). Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the significant hurricanes over the past year. Here is the session breakdown:

NHC Session #1 – 830 AM-1020 AM CDT (930 AM-1120 AM EDT): Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will present on Hurricane Meteorological topics including the last 2 years in review and the forecast for 2023. He will also provide a brief overview of Canadian Hurricane Centre Operations. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations and an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN). A representative from the National Hurricane Center will also present on the importance of Amateur Radio surface reporting.

NHC Session #2: 1030 AM-1210 PM CDT (1130 AM-110 PM EDT): Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN Tropical Systems presentation, Bill Feist-WB8BZH will present a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network) overview. Josh Johnston-KE5MHV will give an ARRL update and KD5KNZ-Matt Anderson will give out an update on a local response update for Amateur Radio Operators in Louisiana. This will be followed by a Q & A session and raffle prizes will be offered.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and posted to Youtube after the workshop within the month of April. The Amateur Radio presentations will also be livestreamed via Youtube as a best effort. It is noted that Internet connectivity can be a challenge at hotel locations for livestreaming but we will do our best to livestream the workshop but please note technical difficulties could affect the livestream so please be patient if you watch the livestream and we will have recordings available post workshop. The YouTube livestream link is listed below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucHdnXIoY3U

2023 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:
• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• Special guest speaker (Need name from NHC), National Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• John McHugh, K4AG, WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Matt Anderson, KD5KNZ, Louisiana ARRL Assistant Section Manager
• Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations, VoIP Hurricane Net & ARRL ARES Eastern Mass SEC
• Jim Palmer, KB1KQW, VoIP Hurricane Net (Videographer)

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Central Daylight Time):
830-835 AM: Opening Remarks
835-915 AM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R) 915-1000 AM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center & HWN Overview (WD4R)
1000-1020 AM: Importance of Amateur Radio Surface Reports (NHC)
1020-1030 AM: Break
1030-1050 AM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
1050-1110 AM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH)
1110-1130 AM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
1130-1150 AM: Louisiana Hurricane Response Update (KD5KNZ)
1150-1210 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)
1210-1220 PM: Door Prizes (All)

We hope folks can attend the conference live and in person for those in and around the New Orleans LA area or attending the conference and that those outside of the area can participate in the livestream. For those can’t see it live, the workshop video will be posted online via Youtube within a week or two after the conference if not sooner. Thanks to all for their support of Amateur Radio and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program.

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
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wx1box

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible in interior Southern New England for late Saturday Afternoon and Evening as a strong cold front and storm system that has brought significant severe weather to the Midwest and Southeast United States sweeps through our region. Strong to damaging winds, hail and heavy downpours leading to brief urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of Connecticut, Western, and Central Massachusetts and portions of Rhode Island in a slight risk for severe weather with the rest of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. The current threat timeframe is adjusted slightly to between 7-11 PM EDT Saturday late afternoon and evening..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the severe weather potential for later Saturday Afternoon and Evening..

A strong cold front and storm system responsible for the major severe weather outbreak in the Midwest and Southeast United States will have the potential to bring some isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms to Southern New England. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors remain:

1.) The amount of clearing to allow for destabilization of the atmosphere to tap into other favorable instability parameters and very strong wind fields.
2.) Ability for strong wind fields and other favorable instability parameters to compensate if there is a lack of heating for destabilization or timing of the cold front past the time of peak heating.
3.) The timing of the cold front into Southern New England to act as a trigger for strong to severe thunderstorms in addition to factors 1 and 2.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the severe weather potential for later Saturday Afternoon and Evening. This will be the last coordination message as we shift 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,

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
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wx1box

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible in interior Southern New England for late Saturday Afternoon and Evening as a strong cold front and storm system that has brought significant severe weather to the Midwest and Southeast United States sweeps through our region. Strong to damaging winds, hail and heavy downpours leading to brief urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of Connecticut, Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts in a slight risk for severe weather with the rest of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. The current threat timeframe is between 5-11 PM EDT Saturday late afternoon and evening..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the severe weather potential for later Saturday Afternoon and Evening..

A strong cold front and storm system responsible for the major severe weather outbreak in the Midwest and Southeast United States will have the potential to bring some isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms to Southern New England. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors include:

1.) The amount of clearing to allow for destabilization of the atmosphere to tap into other favorable instability parameters and very strong wind fields.
2.) Ability for strong wind fields and other favorable instability parameters to compensate if there is a lack of heating for destabilization.
3.) The timing of the cold front into Southern New England to act as a trigger for strong to severe thunderstorms in addition to factors 1 and 2.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the severe weather potential for later Saturday Afternoon and Evening. Another coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Saturday 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/2023/day2otlk_20230331_1730.html

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
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wx1box

Hello to all…

..Significant Coastal Storm Slammed portions of Western and North-Central Massachusetts and far Northwest Connecticut with 1-3 feet of snow in higher elevations and 4-8″ of snow with isolated higher amounts in lower elevations of these areas. Interior Northeast Massachusetts and Central Massachusetts in lower elevations had between about 2-7″ of snow. Other areas of North-Central and Northeast Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southeast Massachusetts received 1-3.5″ of rainfall and lower snow accumulations of a Coating/Trace to 3″..
..Wind Gusts of 40-60 MPH occurred with the strong winds along Northeast coastal Massachusetts during the day and evening Tuesday. Additional Strong Winds today could cause an uptick in damage in power outages in areas hard hit with heavy wet snow clinging to trees and power lines..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect through 4 PM Wednesday Afternoon for Western Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for sustained winds of 15-25 MPH and gusts between 35-50 MPH. These winds with wet snow load can cause additional scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages with lower wind speeds than normal..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the strong winds for today, final snowfall, rain gauge, wet snow/wind damage reports from around the region. Pictures and videos of storm damage even if they are several days after the fact due to power outage issues that remain across hardest hit areas can be sent as a reply to this message, via the WX1BOX Facebook/Twitter feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org and will be included in a summary photo album on the WX1BOX Facebook page with credit given to the person on the photo/video unless otherwise indicated. This will likely be the last coordination message on this storm and the winds for today. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Wind Advisory Statement, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and Area Forecast Discussion..

NWS Boston/Norton Wind Advisory 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
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
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://www.twitter.com/wx1box