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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Friday Evening 12/20/24 to Saturday AM 12/21/24 Snow Storm

December 21, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Ongoing snowfall will accumulate for several more hours across portions of Eastern Massachusetts and will wind down in Central Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the next couple of hours..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 4 AM Saturday for Essex, Suffolk, Southern Worcester, Central and Southeast Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable Counties of Massachusetts, Providence, Kent, Bristol and Newport Counties of Rhode Island. The advisory is in effect for 2-3″ of snow across Rhode Island, Southern Bristol, Southern Plymouth and Barnstable Counties of Massachusetts and 3-5″ with isolated higher amounts in the rest of the Eastern Massachusetts advisory area..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets will monitor the snowfall across the region. Norfolk County SKYWARN will be holding a net at 9 PM on the 146.896-Walpole Repeater. Other frequencies maybe monitored informally this evening and again tomorrow morning for snowfall reports. Pictures and videos of the snowfall and any storm damage can be sent to pics@nsradio.org or via our WX1BOX Facebook and X feeds with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Snowfall Maps, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement & Snow/Ice 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

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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Monday AM 12/16/24 Light Icing Potential – Southwest Mass/Northwest CT

December 16, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Light snow/icing could cause a slippery Monday Morning Commute in portions of Southern New England..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 1 AM to 11 AM Monday for Hampden County Mass and Hartford and Tolland counties of Connecticut for a light glaze of ice causing slippery travel conditions and a coating to 1″ of snow..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor any icing conditions and slippery travel for the Monday AM Commute. This will be the only coordination message unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory, Snow/Ice Maps, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement & Snow/Ice 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,

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Storm Coordination Message #3 – Wednesday 12/11/24 Damaging Wind & Heavy Rainfall Potential

December 11, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..A powerful storm will impact the region with beneficial soaking rainfall of 2-3″ with isolated higher amounts of 4″ or more but if amounts are higher or falls in a short period of time and there is that potential, flooding issues could occur and there is the potential for strong to damaging winds in much of Southern New England and even the potential for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms that could bring strong to damaging winds down to the surface..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect from 3 PM Wednesday Afternoon through 1 AM Thursday Morning for Essex, Central and Southeast Middlesex, Suffolk, Eastern Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, Barnstable, Nantucket Counties of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island for sustained winds 25 to 35 MPH with Gusts to 60-65 MPH and isolated higher wind gusts possible. This represents an expansion of the High Wind Warning area. These winds will result in scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 3 PM Wednesday Afternoon through 1 AM Thursday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Worcester, Eastern Hampden, Eastern Hampshire, and Northern Middlesex counties of Massachusetts for sustained winds 15-25 MPH with gusts to 55 MPH and isolated higher gusts possible. These winds will result in isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Flood Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday Morning for all of Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island except for Block Island, Bristol, Plymouth, Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties of Massachusetts for 2-3″ of rain and isolated to scattered high amounts 4″ or more possible. If this rainfall falls in a short enough period of time or is generally higher than expected, this could result in small river, stream, urban and poor drainage flooding issues. This represents an expansion of the Flood Watch area..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has upgraded portions Connecticut, Rhode Island, South-Central and Southeast Massachusetts from a marginal risk to a slight risk for severe weather particularly for Southeast New England for Wednesday Afternoon and Evening for potential isolated severe thunderstorms with a damaging wind threat..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for wind damage reports, rain gauge reports, any flooding reports and measured wind gusts 40 MPH or Greater. Pictures and videos of storm damage and flooding can be sent as a reply to this message, via he WX1BOX Facebook and X feeds and through the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

An impactful storm is on tap on Wednesday for Southern New England. The headlines depict the current thinking which has some increasing impacts for a larger portion of the area. Key factors remain:
1.) How widespread the damaging wind gusts are. There are likely to be wind gusts at the coast and just inland from the coast that reach high wind warning criteria with wind advisory criteria further inland. How widespread those wind gusts are will be determined by how much we warm during the late afternoon and evening where the strong winds are expected to increase over the region, if heavy rainfall or expected thunderstorm activity is strong enough to bring the strong winds down to the surface. Latest model runs have increased this potential over a wider portion of the area which has resulted in upgrades of portions of the Wind Advisories to High Wind Warnings over the larger area. The damaging wind threat is for later this afternoon and tonight so note that winds won’t increase until later today.
2.) The rainfall will be quite beneficial but if amounts are heavier than anticipated or fall in a short period of time it could lead to small river, stream, urban and poor drainage flooding and this will be monitored through the day Wednesday. Latest model runs have increased the potential for more widespread and heavier rainfall in a relatively short period of time resulting in an expansion of the flood watches in the area.

SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for wind damage reports, rain gauge reports, any flooding reports and measured wind gusts 40 MPH or Greater. Pictures and videos of storm damage and flooding can be sent as a reply to this message, via he WX1BOX Facebook and X feeds and through the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the support unless otherwise indicated. This will be the last coordination message as we shift into operations mode. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Flood Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/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 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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #2 – Wednesday 12/11/24 Damaging Wind & Heavy Rainfall Potential

December 11, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..A powerful storm will impact the region with beneficial soaking rainfall of 2-3″ with isolated higher amounts but if amounts are higher or falls in a short period of time and there is that potential, flooding issues could occur and there is the potential for strong to damaging winds in much of Southern New England and even the potential for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms that could bring strong to damaging winds down to the surface..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect from 3 PM Wednesday Afternoon through 1 AM Thursday Morning for Eastern Essex, Suffolk, Eastern Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, Barnstable, Nantucket Counties of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except for Providence County RI for sustained winds 25 to 35 MPH with Gusts to 60-65 MPH and isolated higher wind gusts possible. These winds will result in scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 3 PM Wednesday Afternoon through 1 AM Thursday Morning for Providence County RI, Northern Connecticut, Western Essex, Western Norfolk, Middlesex, Worcester, Eastern Hampden, and Eastern Hampshire counties of Massachusetts for sustained winds 15-25 MPH with gusts to 50-55 MPH and isolated higher gusts possible. These winds will result in isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Flood Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday Morning for Hartford, Tolland Counties of Connecticut, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties of Massachusetts for 2-3″ of rain and isolated to scattered high amounts. If this rainfall falls in a short enough period of time or is generally higher than expected, this could result in small river, stream, urban and poor drainage flooding issues..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has continued Connecticut, Rhode Island, South-Central and Southeast Massachusetts in a marginal risk for severe weather Wednesday Afternoon and Evening for potential isolated severe thunderstorms with a damaging wind threat..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for wind damage reports, rain gauge reports, any flooding reports and measured wind gusts 40 MPH or Greater. Pictures and videos of storm damage and flooding can be sent as a reply to this message, via he WX1BOX Facebook and X feeds and through the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

An impactful storm is on tap on Wednesday for Southern New England. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors include:
1.) How widespread the damaging wind gusts are. There are likely to be wind gusts of the coast that reach high wind warning and wind advisory criteria but how widespread those wind gusts are will be determined by how much we warm during the late afternoon and evening where the strong winds are expected to increase over the region, if heavy rainfall or expected thunderstorm activity is strong enough to bring the strong winds down to the surface.
2.) The rainfall will be quite beneficial but if amounts are heavier than anticipated or fall in a short period of time it could lead to small river, stream, urban and poor drainage flooding and this will be monitored through the day Wednesday.

SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for wind damage reports, rain gauge reports, any flooding reports and measured wind gusts 40 MPH or Greater. Pictures and videos of storm damage and flooding can be sent as a reply to this message, via he WX1BOX Facebook and X feeds and through the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the support unless otherwise indicated. Another coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Wednesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Flood Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/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 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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2024/day2otlk_20241210_1730.html

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Storm Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday 12/11/24 Damaging Wind & Heavy Rainfall Potential

December 10, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..After light snow and icing moves out of Northern Massachusetts late tonight, a more powerful storm will impact the region with beneficial soaking rainfall of 2-3″ with isolated higher amounts but also the potential for damaging winds in much of Eastern New England and even the potential for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms that could bring strong to damaging winds down to the surface on Wednesday..
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect from Wednesday Afternoon through late Wednesday Night for Eastern Essex, Plymouth, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket Counties of Massachusetts, Newport and Washington Counties of Rhode Island including Block Island for sustained winds of 20-35 MPH with gusts of 60 MPH with isolated higher gusts possible. These winds could cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. Areas closest to the High Wind Watch area may need a wind advisory in future updates..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Connecticut, Rhode Island, South-Central and Southeast Massachusetts in a marginal risk for severe weather Wednesday Afternoon and Evening for potential isolated severe thunderstorms with a damaging wind threat..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation is likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for wind damage reports, rain gauge reports, any flooding reports and measured wind gusts 40 MPH or Greater on Wednesaday. A more complete coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-3 Convective 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

SPC Day-3 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2024/day3otlk_20241209_1930.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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Special Announcement: SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2024 Friday Evening 12/6/24 700 PM ET to Saturday Evening 12/7/24 700 PM ET

December 6, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all..

**SKYWARN Recognition Day 2024 will occur from Friday Evening December 6th, 2024 at 7 PM through Saturday Evening December 7th, 2024 at 7 PM with a social media component to engage non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters more with SRD. Due to the storm Thursday and some work and other personal issues for some of our WX1BOX Amateur Radio team members, the focus of our operations will be on Saturday from approximately 830 or 9 AM to 7 PM ET.**
**SRD Numbers will be issued automatically to non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters that register via the Google form on the SRD web site. Similar to 2023, SRD Numbers are not being generated for Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters because some in the Amateur Radio Community felt it was unnecessary.**
**We encourage Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters to register for SRD in the Google form. Once registration is completed on the Google form, there will be a link provided to register via the GIS spotter mapper registration form via the links below and we will have activities on Amateur Radio and Social Media for all Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters. **

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2024 will have Ops at NWS office with volunteer Amateur Radio Operators, however, the scale of what is done inside the office for SRD will be more limited as we will have limited Amateur Radio Operators in the facility similar to 2022. Also, all participants are welcome to register on the SRD web site. SRD Numbers will be issued automatically to non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters that register via the Google form on the SRD web site. For 2024 similar to 2023, SRD Numbers are not being generated for Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters because some in the Amateur Radio Community felt it was unnecessary.

For WX1BOX Amateur Radio operations, we will cover the typical SKYWARN repeaters on VHF/UHF as well as simplex. HF for this year may or may not be done similar to 2023 as we plan to run all operations from WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio station at NWS Norton on Saturday 12/2/23 from 9 AM-7 PM EST and run some of the operations remotely during that timeframe. The HF setup at NWS has had some issues so it may limit our on-air presence on HF. We will distinguish between in-office Amateur Radio Operations and remote operations by using WX1BOX-portable for our remote operations. In addition, contacts with other Amateur Radio SKYWARN stations will count towards NWS certificates. Similar to the last few years, there will be a social media component to engage non-Amateur Radio and Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters alike.

Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including a registration link opened up to all Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio Operators can be found via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

As mentioned previously, this year’s Google registration form also auto-issues SRD Numbers to participant non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters. The form can be found off the SKYWARN Recognition Day web site and can be see at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsiwFThctxPqEht9r7j1V1OLBNiAQjt-yJe7z3-XFMwiIx-w/viewform

There is also a SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Facebook group open to all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators. The Facebook group link is listed below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/srd2021

Similar to last year, we’d like to conduct an experiment to test and experiment with a radio email system known as Winlink. We would like to have Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters test sending email to a radio based email. This system allows for emails to be retrieved over Internet but also over radio. You do not have to be an Amateur Radio Operator to be involved in this experiment. During the SRD period from Saturday 12/7/24 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/6/24 7 PM EST-Saturday 12/7/24 7 PM EST), we’d like people to do the following:

1.) Compose an email with a report in text format or using one of the Winlink system specific weather or other forms to wx1box@winlink.org with either a current observation from the SRD time period or a prior severe weather event that occurred dring the last 2 years. Do “not” include file attachments. For Amateur Radio Operators who have winlink setup, please go ahead and use winlink. For other Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters who do not have Winlink setup, feel free to use your normal email client but only use text and no attachments in the report.
2.) Put in the subject of the email //WL2K as this will allow for emails to get filtered through the built-in spam protection of the winlink system

We will acknowledge all emails as a contact and publish results of this work as part of the SRD’2024 report.

Due to the storm Thursday 12/5 and the commitments of our operators, there will not be a Zello component for SRD but a future test with Zello will be done some time in January 2025.

The SRD’2024 schedule for repeater rotation and WX1BOX coverage has now been included with this update. See below:

Saturday December 7th, 2024 (WX1BOX In-Office operations with remote operations being signified by WX1BOX-portable):
9:00-9:30 AM: 145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
10:00-11:00 AM: We will participate in the Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net
11:00-11:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
11:30-12:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz) (Via K1MUJ-Echolink)
12:00-12:30 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
12:30-1:00 PM: 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP or Echolink.)
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.595-Simplex
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.37-Gardner/145.45-Fitchburg/147.39 Repeaters via IRLP 9122
2:00-2:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
2:30-3:00 PM: NB1RI Repeater System – Note the main hub repeater link for this system is down – so we will rotate across the NB1RI repeaters during this timeframe
3:00-3:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
3:30-4:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
4:00-4:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5 Hz) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9 Hz)
4:30-5:00 PM: NB1RI Repeater System – Note the main hub repeater link for this system is down – so we will rotate across the NB1RI repeaters during this timeframe
5:00-5:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
5:30-6:00 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
6:30-7:00 PM: 147.225-Whitman Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

The VoIP Operations on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system will take place once again for 2024’SRD. Also, through the Sunflower network, the system will is also accessible through the following modes:

Allstar 28848
Echolink KC5FM-R 906281
Hamshack Hotline 94032
DMR TGIF 31207
P25 31207
DSTAR XLXOKL C
Yaesu Fusion 31207
M17-SUN module A

Here is the info regarding Echolink/IRLP operations as of Friday Afternoon:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot from last year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
0300-0400: WX4HUN (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0400-0500: Open
0500-0600: Open
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Time slot from last year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Time slot from last year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Time slot from last year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
1100-1200: Open (Time slot released by WX1GYX)
1200-1300: Open
1300-1400: WX7SLC (Time slot from last year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Time slot from last year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1700-1800: WX6NWS (New Time slot for this year)
1800-1900: WX2PHI (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1900-2000: WX1GYX (Time slot from last year)
2000-2100: Open
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2300-2400: WX2PHI (New time slot for this office for this year)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by SKYWARN Coordinators from New England from 1400-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other SKYWARN Coordinators and NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices wish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9252/Echolink Conference *SKY_GATE* node: 868981, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219. The Sunflower system will be connected that will allow other VoIP mode connections as listed at the top of this message.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector systems. Thanks to all for their support!

Thanks to all for their continued support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program!

Respectfully Submitted,

Uncategorized

Storm Coordination Message #2 – Wednesday Evening 12/4/24-Thursday 12/5/24 Accumulating Snow/Snow Squall & Strong Wind Gust Potential

December 4, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..We will be announcing our SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD)’24 plans later tonight or Thursday Morning as we are pulling together are plans for this year and the recent uptick in storm activity has taken priority over our SRD planning..
..A light to low-end moderate accumulating snowfall is expected overnight Wednesday Night into Thursday AM with strong wind gusts of 40-50 MPH possible later Thursday through Friday in portions of Southern New England and the potential for a few snow squalls in interior Southern New England later Thursday PM and evening..
..A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 8 PM Wednesday Evening to 10 AM Thursday Morning for Franklin, Hampshire, Western Hampden, Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts and has been expanded to Eastern Hampden County Massachusetts and Tolland County Connecticut for 2-5″ of snow with isolated higher amounts of up to 6″ in the higher terrain. Areas closest to the Winter Weather Advisory area could see a coating to 2″ of snow before a changeover to rain. Areas of the I-95 corridor south and east could see a bit of snow or rain/snow mix but little to no accumulation expected there..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 7 PM Wednesday Evening through 10 PM Thursday Evening for sustained winds 20-25 MPH with gusts of 40-50 MPH. A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 10 AM Thursday Morning through 10 PM Thursday Evening for Western and Central Massachusetts including Northern Middlesex County Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. Areas outside of the wind advisory area could see wind gusts of around 40 MPH with isolated higher gusts. These winds could cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets for snowfall amounts will occur particularly Thursday AM for snowfall amounts. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor strong wind potential later Thursday into Friday. Amateur Radio Call-Up Net info is listed below. This will be the last coordination message as we shift into operations mode. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Snowfall Map, Wind Advisory Statement and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

Amateur Radio Call-Up Net Info – Thursday:
146.940-Mt. Tom Repeater – 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM
146.970-Paxton Repeater – 730 AM, 930 AM, 1130 AM
Rte 2 Corridor System Repeaters (145.370-Gardner & 145.450-Fitchburg): 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM
The *NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9123 will be monitored starting at 7 AM
The 146.790-Vernon CT Repeater may have nets as necessary Thursday AM

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=WSW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Snowfall Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NWS-Norton-Snowfall-Map-12-5-24.jpg

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 Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Wednesday Evening 12/4/24-Thursday 12/5/24 Accumulating Snow/Snow Squall Potential/Thursday PM 12/5/24-Friday 12/6/24 Strong Wind Gust Potential

December 3, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..A light to low-end moderate accumulating snowfall is expected overnight Wednesday Night into Thursday AM with strong wind gusts of 40-50 MPH possible in portions of Southern New England later Thursday through Friday and the potential for a few snow squalls in interior Southern New England later Thursday PM and evening..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 8 PM Wednesday Evening to 10 AM Thursday Morning for Franklin, Hampshire, Western Hampden, Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for 2-5″ of snow with isolated higher amounts of up to 6″ in the higher terrain. Areas closest to the Winter Weather Advisory area could see a coating to 2″ of snow before a changeover to rain. Areas of the I-95 corridor south and east could see a bit of snow or rain/snow mix but little to no accumulation expected there..
..Wind headlines may be posted for the Thursday PM to Friday timeframe if confidence increases on wind gusts greater than 46 MPH..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets for snowfall amounts will occur particularly Thursday AM but possibly as earlier as Wednesday Evening for snowfall amounts. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor strong wind potential later Thursday into Friday. Another coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Wednesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Snowfall Map and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=WSW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Snowfall Map:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/StormTotalSnow-12-3-24.jpg

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

Respectfully Submitted,

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Storm Coordination Message #1 – Thursday 11/28/24 Thanksgiving Day Storm Hazards

November 28, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..On behalf of the NWS Boston/Norton MA forecast staff and the WX1BOX Amateur Radio Volunteer Team, we wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving! We appreciate all your help and support through another year of Southern New England weather in 2024..
….Thanksgiving Day will feature largely a beneficial rain event of 0.50-1″ of rain with isolated higher amounts for Southern New England except for Northwest Massachusetts and possibly the Worcester Hills above around 1000-1200 feet, where a period of accumulating snow may bring 1-4″ of accumulation with possibly higher amounts if cold enough and falls heavily enough. This would be in the higher elevations of Western Franklin, Western Hampshire and Northern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts..
..It is noted for anyone traveling to nearby areas of the Northeast that much of Northeast New York, Vermont, Western, Central and Southwest New Hampshire into Maine have Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories in effect for significant snowfall, hazardous travel and the potential for isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages from the weight of the heavy wet snow. See the respective NWS office web pages for NWS Albany NY, Burlington VT, Gray ME and Caribou ME for details..
..East and South Coastal Massachusetts, South Coastal Rhode Island and Cape Cod and the Islands could see a brief period of wind gusts 30-40 MPH with isolated higher gusts as the storm system moves out and gradually intensifies late Thursday Afternoon into Thursday Night..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor for snowfall, rain gauge, wet snow and wind damage reports from the region on Thanksgiving Day. If significant changes to the situation occur, another coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Thanksgiving Morning. 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,

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Fire Weather Coordination Message #8 – Red Flag Warning Thru 6 PM Tuesday Evening for Massachusetts & Elevated Fire Weather in Rhode Island & Connecticut

November 19, 2024 Rob Macedo

Hello to all…

..Dry conditions and strong wind gusts to 25 MPH with isolated higher wind gusts will set the stage for continued critical fire weather conditions for Southern New England once again on Friday. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from through 6 PM Tuesday for Massachusetts with elevated fire weather in Rhode Island and Connecticut due to the potential for fire spread if any sort of outdoor brush fire is ignited. Outdoor burning is banned in Southern New England until further notice..
..Elevated fire conditions are expected to continue right through the weekend with little appreciable/measurable rainfall expected during this time period..
..There is no reporting criteria for fire weather so this message is sent out for public safety purposes, however, Amateur Radio SKYWARN Coordinators will be monitoring reports of brush fires and their spread in the region. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Red Flag Warning Statement, Special Weather Statement and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Red Flag Warning Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&product=RFW&issuedby=BOX

NWS Boston/Norton Special Weather Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&product=SPS&issuedby=BOX

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

Respectfully Submitted,

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