Hello to all…

..Extended period of soaking rainfall, while beneficial for mild drought conditions, could bring flooding of small rivers, streams, urban and poor drainage areas particularly if some higher-end model output rainfall occurs..
..A Flood Watch is now in effect through 8 PM Tuesday Evening for Northern Connecticut and Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Worcester Counties of Massachusetts for 2-4″ of rainfall with higher amounts of up to 5″ possible. This could cause flooding of small rivers, streams, urban and poor drainage areas..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for rain gauge and flooding reports from this event which started Sunday Evening and will last through the Tuesday Evening timeframe. Another more complete coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Flood Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Flood Watch Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=FFA&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
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…

A major NWS system upgrade was started today, Monday 5/5/25 and will last through late Wednesday PM 5/7/25. The details on the upgrade impact in this maintenance window are listed in this document below:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WFO-Boston-System-Upgrade-May-5-7-2025.pdf

There will be no impact to core services and the NWS Gray Maine office will be doing service backup to the office. A few key items that will be out of service include all the NOAA Weather Radio Transmitters, the automated forecast phone line will be accessible but recordings won’t update, locally generated forecast maps as detailed in the document, total water level forecasts for coastal areas will be less frequent but remain available at https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/box through the period and some text products as detailed in the document will not be updated.

This will be the only announcement on this upgrade unless it unexpectedly extends past this maintenance window. Thanks to all for their 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)
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…

..First severe thunderstorm event of the 2025 season on Saturday 5/3/25 brought a rather robust event with scattered to numerous pockets of wind damage, small hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours to Western, Central and Northeast Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut. Over 11,000 customers were without power in Massachusetts late yesterday afternoon/evening with most getting power back Sunday Morning..
..Areas hardest hit by this event include a section of Springfield, Mass where an apparent “Gustnado” affected a localized area of the city along the leading edge of the severe thunderstorm bow echo that went through the area..
..NWS and the WX1BOX Amateur Radio team are interested in receiving more storm damage photos, videos and reports from this event. They can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or through the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Another post coordination message could be issued some time on Monday depending on additional information received. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report, current WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log, Definition of a Gustnado, Gustnado in Springfield YouTube Video, and the WX1BOX Facebook Photo Album created for this severe weather event..

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/LSR-5-3-25.pdf

NWS Gustnado Definition:
https://forecast.weather.gov/glossary.php?word=gustnado

KB1QQR-Paul Taschereau Gustnado – Springfield MA Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8CvTbC55Ug

WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/reports_5_3_25.pdf

WX1BOX Facebook Photo Album:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=wx1box&set=a.1094952535999896

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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible to likely Saturday Afternoon and Evening between 2-10 PM across Western, Central, Northeast Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Northwest Rhode Island where the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western and Central Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut in a slight risk for severe weather with a marginal risk for severe weather from Northeast Massachusetts to Northwest Rhode Island and Northeast Connecticut. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours causing urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor any severe thunderstorm potential Saturday Afternoon and Evening..

Severe thunderstorm potential has increased since the Friday evening update across Western and Central Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut which is now in a slight risk for severe weather with a marginal risk further east to north and west of the I-95 corridor. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors include:

1.) Sufficient heating and destabilization for strong to severe thunderstorm development. Satellite imagery currently shows sufficient clearing for heating and destabilization for severe thunderstorm development.
2.) Timing of forcing and triggering of the atmosphere at the time of peak heating which is currently lined up appropriately for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm development.
3.) As always with severe thunderstorm events, not all locations will receive a severe thunderstorm. They will be isolated to scattered with pockets of wind damage, hail and urban/poor drainage flooding in those isolated to scattered locations.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor any severe thunderstorm potential 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 (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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible Saturday Afternoon and Evening between 2-8 PM across Western, Central, Northeast Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut where the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed this area in a marginal risk for severe weather. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours are the main threats..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor any severe thunderstorm potential Saturday Afternoon and Evening. A more complete coordination message will be posted by 10 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/2025/day2otlk_20250502_1730.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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible later this afternoon into Saturday Evening across Western Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut where the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed this area in a marginal risk for severe weather. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours are the main threats. In addition, winds behind the cold front could gust to between 40-45 MPH with isolated higher gusts causing isolated pockets of wind damage later Saturday Night into early Sunday Morning..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor any severe thunderstorm potential late Saturday Afternoon into Saturday Night and the general strong wind gust potential Saturday Night into early Sunday Morning. This will likely be the only coordination message on this potential unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. 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 (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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Convective Showers and Strong Thunderstorms will have the potential to bring frequent lightning, small hail and strong wind gusts to Southern New England late this Tuesday Afternoon and Evening. Behind the front, strong wind gusts around 40-45 MPH across much of Southern New England could cause isolated pockets of wind damage later tonight and on Wednesday..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for strong wind gusts and small hail in any convective showers and thunderstorms late Tuesday Afternoon and evening and the general strong wind gust potential Wednesday. Pictures and videos of any hail and wind damage can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook, X and Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org unless otherwise indicated. This will be the only coordination message on this storm system unless a significant change to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather 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

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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

Below are the details for the 2025 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop information in New Orleans Louisiana including YouTube livestream link info:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2025 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana (https://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over livestream similar to 2024. 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 2025, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday April 15th, 2025 from 130 PM-310 PM CDT (230 PM-410 PM EDT) and from 330 PM-510 PM CDT (430 PM-610 PM EDT) with door prizes completed between 510-520 PM CDT (610-620 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 – 130 PM-315 PM CDT (230 PM-415 PM EDT): Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will present on Hurricane Meteorological topics and a 2024 Hurricane Season review. He will also provide a brief overview of Canadian Hurricane Centre Operations. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will present a NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations. KB5HAV-Bobby Graves will give an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN).

NHC Session #2: 330 PM-500 PM CDT (430 PM-600 PM EDT): Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN Tropical Systems, Bill Feist-WB8BZH & Joe Badsett-W1WCN 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 as follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eFztSOliEU.

2025 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:
• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Hurricane Watch Net – Net Manager
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Joe Bassett, W1WCN, Southern Territory Assistant SATERN Coordinator
• Matt Anderson, KD5KNZ, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association – LEM-T
• 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):
130-135 PM: Opening Remarks
135-200 PM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)
200-210 PM: NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes (NHC)
210-240 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (WD4R)
240-310 PM: HWN Overview (KB5HAV)
315-330 PM: Break
330-350 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
350-410 PM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH & W1WCN)
410-430 PM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
430-450 PM: Katrina 20th Anniversary/Louisiana Hurricane Response Update (KD5KNZ)
450-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session and Panel Discussion (All)
500-510 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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

SKYWARN Announcement: SKYWARN Training 2025 Class Schedule

Hello to all…

..Coastal Storm system will bring accumulating snow to the higher elevations of Western New England with a cold wind-driven soaking rainfall of 1-1.5″ to the rest of Southern New England and wind gusts of 35-40 MPH with isolated higher wind gusts possible at the coast..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 2 AM to 2 PM Saturday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 2-4″ of snow with isolated higher amounts at elevations around and above 1,000 feet with the potential for slipper conditions with a coating to 2″ of snow in the lower elevations in this region and adjacent areas outside of the Winter Weather Advisory with little to no accumulation on pavement. If snow amounts of 3″ or more occur and is heavy and wet, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage would be possible..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for snowfall, rainfall, measured wind gusts 40 MPH or greater, wind damage and wet snow damage reports. The 146.940-Mount Tom Repeater will hold nets at 7 and 9 AM Saturday and if necessary through early afternoon Saturday for snowfall and any wet snow damage reports. Other SKYWARN Amateur Radio frequencies will be monitored as needed. Pictures and videos of the snowfall and damage can be sent as a reply to this message, via our WX1BOX Facebook, X and Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org unless otherwise indicated. This will be the only coordination message on this storm system unless a significant change to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton MA Winter Weather Advisory Statement/Snowfall Maps, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement/Snowfall Maps:
https://www.weather.gov/box/winter

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
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
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio