Hello to all..

..Strong and Quick Moving Coastal Storm On Track for Impacts to Southern New England including strong to damaging winds at the coast, heavy rainfall of 1-1.5″ with isolated higher amounts in a 6-9 hour period resulting in possible urban and poor drainage flooding and a period of snow and ice in northwest parts of the NWS Taunton coverage area..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for Southern New Hampshire, Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts through Midnight tonight for 2-5 inches of wet snow, a trace of ice and the possibility of isolated tree and wire damage and power outages due to the weight of the wet snow..
..A High Wind Warning remains in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning for sustained winds of 35-45 MPH with gusts to 50-60 MPH. These winds are likely to cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Wind Advisory remains in effect from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning South Coastal Massachusetts, Newport County and Block Island Rhode Island and Eastern Essex County of Massachusetts for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 40-50 MPH. These winds are likely to cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the storm threat today and tonight..

A strong and quick moving coastal storm will affect the region this Sunday Afternoon and evening. Rain will overspread this area this afternoon and become heavy by late afternoon and evening. Rainfall amounts of 1-1.5″ with isolated higher amounts in a 6-9 hour period may result in possible urban and poor drainage flooding.

Computer models and current observations have a bit colder air across Southern New Hampshire, Franklin, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts. Rain is expected to be mixed with freezing rain in some locations at the start before changing over to a period of heavy wet snow between 6 and 8 PM. Snow accumulations of 2-5 inches is now expected along with a trace of ice. The snow has the potential to be wet and heavy possibly resulting in the potential for isolated tree and wire damage and power outages. A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for Southern New Hampshire, Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts through Midnight tonight.

A High Wind Warning remains in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning for sustained winds of 35-45 MPH with gusts to 50-60 MPH. These winds are likely to cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. A Wind Advisory remains in effect from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning for South Coastal Massachusetts, Newport County and Block Island Rhode Island and Eastern Essex County of Massachusetts for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 40-50 MPH. Isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages are possible in the Wind Advisory area.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the storm threat today. This will most likely be the last complete coordination message unless another significant change to the storm situation occurs. Below are the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.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..

..Strong and Quick Moving Coastal Storm On Track for Impacts to Southern New England including strong to damaging winds at the coast, heavy rainfall of 1-1.5″ with isolated higher amounts in a 6-9 hour period resulting in possible urban and poor drainage flooding and a period of snow and ice at the end of the storm in northwest parts of the NWS Taunton coverage area..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning for sustained winds of 35-45 MPH with gusts to 50-60 MPH. These winds are likely to cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Wind Advisory is in effect from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning South Coastal Massachusetts, Newport County and Block Island Rhode Island and Eastern Essex County of Massachusetts for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 40-50 MPH. These winds are likely to cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the storm threat today. Ops at NWS Taunton remain possible..

A strong and quick moving coastal storm will affect the region this Sunday Afternoon and evening. Rain will overspread this area this afternoon and become heavy by late afternoon and evening. Rainfall amounts of 1-1.5″ with isolated higher amounts in a 6-9 hour period may result in possible urban and poor drainage flooding. Across Southern New Hampshire, Franklin, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts, the rain will likely end as a period of snow, sleet and freezing rain. At this time, amounts of snow and ice are expected to remain below Winter Weather Advisory thresholds with 1-3″ of snow and ice expected. This will be monitored over the course of the storm.

A High Wind Warning is now in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning for sustained winds of 35-45 MPH with gusts to 50-60 MPH. These winds are likely to cause isolated to scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 5 PM Sunday Afternoon to 1 AM Monday Morning for South Coastal Massachusetts, Newport County and Block Island Rhode Island and Eastern Essex County of Massachusetts for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 40-50 MPH. Isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages are possible in the Wind Advisory area. There is the possibility that Wind Advisories may be expanded to other parts of the coast later today.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the storm threat today and Ops at NWS Taunton remain possible. This will most likely be the last complete coordination message unless a significant change to the storm situation occurs. A shortened coordination message may be posted if Ops at NWS Taunton are initiated. Below are the NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
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Hello to all..

..Strong and fast moving Coastal Storm will bring a period of heavy rain and potential urban/poor drainage flooding, strong to damaging winds on Cape Cod and the Islands and possibly other south and east coastal Massachusetts locations and the potential for some snow and ice accumulations in northwest portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area..
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect for Cape Cod and the Islands for Sunday Afternoon and Evening for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with wind gusts to 50-60 MPH possible. Isolated pockets of tree and wire damage are possible in the High Wind Watch area. Other locations on south and east coastal Massachusetts could see strong winds depending on the track of the coastal storm..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to cover this storm situation Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Ops at NWS Taunton are possible depending on any forecast changes/upgrades to the storm situation..

A fast moving coastal storm is organizing in the Gulf of Mexico and will raise northeastward towards Southern New England. With the lack of cold air over Southern New England and a track of the storm system close to the Southeast New England coast, the predominant form of precipitation will be rain with 1-1.5 inches of rain in 6-9 hours with isolated higher amounts for much of Southern New England and this could lead to some urban and poor drainage flooding. Rain should start by early to mid afternoon and become heavy by evening. The one area that could see some frozen precipitation is over Southern New Hampshire and Franklin, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts. In this area, rain could change to freezing rain with up to one-tenth of an inch of ice and then snow with the potential of 1-4″ of snow accumulation. The changeover could occur during the early to mid evening and Winter Weather Advisories maybe needed for this area as we get into Sunday.

Over Cape Cod and the Islands, strong to damaging winds are possible during the late afternoon and evening hours and a High Wind Watch is in effect for Sunday Afternoon and Evening for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 50-60 MPH. These winds could cause isolated to pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages in the High Wind Watch area. Other locations in south and east coastal Massachusetts could see strong winds depending on the track of the coastal storm.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to cover this storm situation Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Ops at NWS Taunton are possible depending on any forecast changes/upgrades to the storm situation. Another coordination message will be posted by Noon Sunday. Below is the NWS Taunton High Wind Watch Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton High Wind Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus71.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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
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Hello to all..

On behalf of the entire Amateur Radio Group at WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio station for NWS Taunton Massachusetts, and the forecaster staff at NWS Taunton, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Holiday season. 2013 was another interesting year for weather across the region especially over the course of the 2013 winter though 2013 had a much quieter summer severe weather season than past years.

Many of you provided critical reports, pictures and videos that supported and resulted in the protection of life and property and timely warnings being issued based on the surface reporting and ground truth that is so critical in confirming what the radar is or is not seeing. This information was then shared with local, state and federal emergency management and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are always looking for situational awareness and disaster intelligence to gauge the level of response and recovery required for an incident. They remain extremely impressed with all the work that all of you do and they extend their appreciation. That appreciation of the weather and damage reports is highly recognized by many of the media outlets as well who thank SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators on television and over social media such as Facebook and Twitter. This mission could not be done without all of your support.

A quick synopsis of 2013 reveal that while this year was quieter than 2011 and 2012 in terms of historical events, there were a few significant events of note. The Winter of 2012-2013 was quite active. The Blizzard of 2013 was a historical blizzard that brought widespread snow accumulations away from Cape Cod and the Islands of 10-30″. The blizzard brought official blizzard conditions at multiple airport sites not just along the coast but also well inland. The combination of hurricane force wind gusts and heavy wet snow and ice brought widespread power outages over Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island that lasted several days. Moderate to low end major coastal flooding occurred along portions of East Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands as well. This was far and away the most significant weather event of the year for much of the NWS Taunton coverage area. In March 2013, another major winter storm affected the region bringing heavy snow that in some areas rivaled the Blizzard of 2013 in terms of the total snowfall accumulation. The storm far offshore had a huge envelope and brought heavy snow to portions of Central and Eastern Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut yet brought much smaller amounts over portions of Rhode Island. This storm also brought multiple high tide cycles of coastal flooding to East Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands as well. This storm was particularly difficult to forecast as the storm being so far offshore brought a surprisingly significant impact to the region.

As we moved into the summer, the summer severe thunderstorm season was characterized by many marginal severe weather setups that even by New England standards brought below normal severe weather. Nonetheless, a few significant severe weather setups occurred and flash flood events occurred given an air mass that was quite tropical over much of the summer season. The most significant severe weather situation was Monday July 1st, 2013 which had a microburst over Agawam, Massachusetts and a EF0/EF1 tornado to the Windsor/East Windsor/Windsor Locks, CT area and a second touchdown over Enfield, CT. SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators were very critical on this day and given the short fused nature of the event, SKYWARN Self-Activation of nets were critical in providing near real time reports of the damage across the region. Many SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators provided pictures and videos of the events as they unfolded and provide a historical archive of these events and were used by NWS Taunton forecasters for damage assessments over the areas affected. On that day, there were also many reports of flash flooding in urban areas with wind damage reports with severe thunderstorms up into the North Shore of Massachusetts. Another severe weather event of note was Wednesday July 10th, 2013, which was a day an EF-1 tornado struck an area from Andover, CT through Mansfield, CT and a microburst to Tolland CT. Once again near time reporting from SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters provided reports along its path including a photo of it on the ground in Mansfield, CT. A number of additional flash flood events occurred over the course of summer including in late June/early July in Cheshire County NH and in early September across portions of Rhode Island in the Coventry, West Greenwich and Cranston RI area as well as the Keene NH area as well. Flash flood events can be serious in urban areas and in some ways the flash flood events were equally as serious as the severe weather events that occurred in the area this summer.

The Fall was quite quiet in terms of weather after mid-September and actually raised some concerns of drought like conditions until November where the pattern turned wetter once again with beneficial rainfall over the region. A few wind events occurred particularly in the mid-late November timeframe followed by colder than normal temperatures. As we moved into December, we have seen a few winter storms in the past couple of weeks bringing a moderate snowfall over the weekend of December 14th-15th and again on December 17th but the December 17th storm had a much higher impact significantly impacting the evening commute in Northeast and Central Massachusetts to a scale not seen since the December 12th, 2007 storm event that brought similar snowfall near the timeframe of the evening commute with 1-2 inch per hour snows over parts of the region.

As we move forward in 2014, we will be continuing our commitment to SKYWARN training with planning starting in January. We also know that we’ve had a large influx of SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators and will be documenting ways to communicate with us during activation and assure people understand the self-activation and activation protocols used today. It has been a long time since we’ve communicated these practices so that will be done as we get into early 2014.

We will also continue to embrace new technologies while maintaining all the other technologies utilized to gather as much real-time and precise meteorological and damage report information as possible. Over the course of 2013, we completed work by bolstering our Amateur Radio HF and 6 Meters capabilities with both functioning at full capacity and continue to test out Amateur Radio simplex as well as continued usage of all the SKYWARN Amateur Radio Repeaters and radio linked systems via the Internet that are at our disposal as well as monitoring of weather stations ingested over APRS and into the Mesonet networks that have supported and helped with seeing what is happening on the ground. We are still looking at a new Amateur Radio technology called NBEMS, the Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System, as a potential means to gather weather spotter data digitally over Ham Radio.

We continue to have our twitter feed setup and you can follow WX1BOX on twitter by following our Amateur Radio Call-Sign, WX1BOX and have our WX1BOX Facebook page available as well. NWS Taunton has also continued the use of their Twitter and Facebook feeds as well over the course of 2013. SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators can follow WX1BOX and ‘NWSBoston’ on twitter and on facebook can ‘like’ these pages. They are available via the following links:

WX1BOX Amateur Radio SKYWARN Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/wx1box

NWS Taunton Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/US.NationalWeatherService.Boston.gov?fref=ts

WX1BOX Amateur Radio SKYWARN Twitter Feed:
http://twitter.com/wx1box

NWS Taunton Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/NWSBoston

We are also continuing to look at other ways to get near-real time video and pictures while also continuing to receive pictures and videos hours and days after a major severe weather event. This will further enhance our abilities to gather situational awareness and disaster intelligence information in a short period of time.

We, again, want to provide a tremendous THANK YOU to all of you that supported SKYWARN and the National Weather Service during 2013. We wish everyone once again, a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holiday Season and hope people enjoy their time with family and friends during this joyous holiday season!

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

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Hello to all..

..Freezing Rain will occur in portions of the NWS Taunton Coverage Area over the course of the day today as more precipitation moves into the region. Freezing Rain Advisories expanded even further south requiring another coordination message..
..A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect until 1 PM for the Metro Boston Area, Western Norfolk County Massachusetts and Northwest Providence County RI for a trace to a tenth inch of ice. A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire through 3 PM Monday for around a tenth inch of ice. A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect for Cheshire County NH and Essex, Middlesex, and Worcester Counties of Massachusetts through 1 PM Monday for around a tenth inch of ice..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the situation as ice accretion amounts could cause hazardous travel but is still unlikely to accumulate enough to cause significant tree and wire damage though this will continue to be monitored closely..

A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect until 1 PM for the Metro Boston Area, Western Norfolk County Massachusetts and Northwest Providence County RI for a trace to a tenth inch of ice. A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire through 3 PM Monday for around a tenth inch of ice. A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect for Cheshire County NH and Essex, Middlesex, and Worcester Counties of Massachusetts through 1 PM Monday for around a tenth inch of ice. Overnight, temperatures near freezing have extended into the Metro Boston area into Western Norfolk County Massachusetts and Northwest Providence County Rhode Island requiring expansion of the freezing rain advisories. 

At this time, the situation still looks more like a hazard to roads versus a problem for power outages and tree and wire damage but this will need continued close monitoring and an isolated pocket or two of power outages remain possible. Steadier precipitation is now moving over the Freezing Rain advisory areas at this time and extending into Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The exact end time of precipitation is uncertain and with steadier precipitation over the area, if temperatures remain near or below freezing, ice accretion amounts will need close monitoring. It is noted that much of Northern New England currently north of the NWS Taunton coverage area have had significant icing the likes of which have not been seen since the December 2008 Ice Storm that hit this area and extended into Southern New Hampshire and Northwest, North Central and Northeast Massachusetts.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the situation as ice accretion amounts could cause hazardous travel but is unlikely to accumulate enough to cause significant tree and wire damage though this will continue to be monitored closely. This will likely be the last coordination message on this event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the latest NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
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Hello to all..

..Potential for Freezing Rain over northern portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area continues late tonight through midday Monday. Freezing Rain Advisories continue and expanded to Southern Worcester County Massachusetts..
..A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire through Noon Monday. A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect for Cheshire County NH and Essex, Middlesex, and Northern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts and is now in effect for Southern Worcester County through 11 AM Monday Morning..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the situation as ice accretion amounts could cause hazardous travel but is unlikely to accumulate enough to cause significant tree and wire damage though this will continue to be monitored closely..

A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire through Noon Monday. A Freezing Rain Advisory remains in effect for Cheshire County NH and Essex, Middlesex, and Northern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts and is now in effect for Southern Worcester County through 11 AM Monday Morning. The greatest threat for icing will be areas north and west of Route 128 and north of the Mass. Pike though areas along and inside of Route 128 and along the Mass Pike within the advisory area are at some risk for freezing rain and icing so the advisory is in effect through this region.

At this time, the situation looks more like a hazard to roads versus a problem for power outages and tree and wire damage but this will need continued close monitoring and an isolated pocket or two of power outages remain possible. The fact that there has been much lighter precipitation over the advisory area should keep this event largely a road hazard issue though this will continue to be monitored. It is noted that much of Northern New England currently north of the NWS Taunton coverage area have had significant icing the likes of which have not been seen since the December 2008 Ice Storm that hit this area and extended into Southern New Hampshire and Northwest, North Central and Northeast Massachusetts.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the situation as ice accretion amounts could cause hazardous travel but is unlikely to accumulate enough to cause significant tree and wire damage though this will continue to be monitored closely. This will likely be the last coordination message on this event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.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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Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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Hello to all..

..Potential for Freezing Rain over northern portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area continues today through midday Monday. Freezing Rain Advisories extended and expanded in the NWS Taunton Coverage Area..
..A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire through Noon Monday. A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Cheshire County NH and Essex, Middlesex, and Northern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts from 4 PM This Sunday Afternoon to 11 AM Monday Morning..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the situation with Ops at NWS Taunton possible later today depending on potential ice accretion amounts..

A wide temperature contrast continues to exist over Southern New England today. As an example, an Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotter in Ashburnham, MA as of approximately 1045 AM had a temperature of 58 Degrees but in the area from Townsend to Westford to Chelmsford to Haverhill Massachusetts and points northeast temperatures were in the 33-35 degree range. Weather models continue to indicate cold air draining south and west from this area setting up an area for potential freezing rain. Precipitation will start late this afternoon and evening and become steadier during the overnight hours potentially extending into Monday Morning.

Given the trends, a Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire through Noon Monday. A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Cheshire County NH and Essex, Middlesex, and Northern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts from 4 PM This Sunday Afternoon to 11 AM Monday Morning. The greatest threat for icing will be areas north and west of Route 128 though areas along and inside of Route 128 within the advisory area are at some risk for freezing rain and icing so the advisory is in effect through this region.

At this time, the situation looks more like a hazard to roads versus a problem for power outages and tree and wire damage but this will need continued close monitoring and an isolated pocket or two of power outages remain possible. It is noted that much of Northern New England currently north of the NWS Taunton coverage area is expecting a significant ice storm the likes of which have not been seen since the December 2008 Ice Storm that hit this area and extended into Southern New Hampshire and Northwest, North Central and Northeast Massachusetts.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the situation with Ops at NWS Taunton later today depending on potential ice accretion amounts. Another coordination message will be issued by 8 PM this evening. Below is the NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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Hello to all..

..Potential for Freezing Rain over northern portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area today into Monday Morning..
..A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire from Noon to Midnight today. Freezing Rain Advisories could be expanded to other parts of North-Central and Northeast Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire later today. This will be highly dependent on how far south the colder temperatures progress into the region..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the situation with Ops at NWS Taunton later today if the Freezing Rain threat increases and expands to other areas..

A wide temperature contrasts exists over Southern New England today. Much of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southwest, South-Central and Southeast Massachusetts are in the 50s to even 60 degrees this morning. Areas north and east of Route 2, however, are only in the mid to upper 30s and getting colder as cold air attempts to drain down into these areas in a situation that resembles a back door cold front in spring time versus winter. Temperatures in Hillsborough County NH are expected to get near or possibly below freezing today with rain moving into the area. This has the potential to become a freezing rain situation. A Freezing Rain Advisory is now in effect for Hillsborough County New Hampshire from Noon to Midnight today. Temperatures will be monitored throughout the day and if below freezing temperatures are able to make their way into parts of interior northeast and North-Central Massachusetts, Freezing Rain Advisories could be expanded into this area. At this time, the situation looks more like a hazard to roads versus a problem for power outages and trees and wires but this will need close monitoring and an isolated pocket or two of power outages are possible. It is noted that much of Northern New England currently north of the NWS Taunton coverage area is expecting a significant ice storm the likes of which have not been seen since the December 2008 Ice Storm that hit this area and extended into Southern New Hampshire and Northwest, North Central and Northeast Massachusetts.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the situation with Ops at NWS Taunton later today if the freezing rain threat increases and expands to other areas. Another coordination message will be issued during the afternoon/early evening. Below is the NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Freezing Rain Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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Hello to all..

..Storm System On Track to Bring Accumulating Snow and a plowable snowfall to much of Southern New England. Confidence increases on heavier snow for portions of Southern New Hampshire and Northeast/North-Central Massachusetts results in Winter Storm Warnings being issued for this area. Cape Cod now expected to receive advisory level snowfall with a Winter Weather Advisory issued there..
..A Winter Stom Warning is now in effect through 1 AM Wednesday for Southern New Hampshire, Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Worcester Counties of Massachusetts for 4-8 inches of snow with the heaviest snow during and after the evening commute between 4-10 PM..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 10 PM this evening for 2-4 inches of snow. The islands are still expected to receive only a dusting to 2″ of snow at this time. The heaviest snow will likely occur during and after the evening commute between 4-10 PM..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 10 PM Tuesday for Northern Connecticut, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Bristol and Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except for Block Island for 3-5 inches of snow..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will continue to monitor the storm looking for snowfall reports throughout the day on Tuesday. This will be the last coordination message unless another significant upgrade to the situation occurs Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Snowfall Graphic..

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

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

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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Hello to all..

..Storm System On Track to Bring Accumulating Snow and a plowable snowfall to much of Southern New England..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 7 PM Tuesday for Northern Connecticut and Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties of Massachusetts for 3-5 inches of snow..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 9 AM to 8 PM Tuesday for Suffolk (Metro Boston Area), Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except for Block Island Rhode Island for 3-5 inches of snow..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 9 AM to 11 PM Tuesday for Southern New Hampshire, Worcester, Middlesex, and Essex Counties of Massachusetts for 3-5 inches of snow..
..The potential continues to exist for a band of heavier snow greater than 5 inches somewhere in the Winter Weather Advisory area. At greatest risk are parts of Northeast and North-Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire though it could setup elsewhere within the advisory areas in Eastern New England..
..Over Cape Cod and the Islands, rain is expected to mix with the snow keeping amounts in the coating to 2 inch range..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the storm looking for snowfall reports throughout the day on Tuesday..

A storm system is moving into the area from the west and will intensify offshore of Southern New England. Snow has started in portions of Western Massachusetts and Western Connecticut as of 830 AM.

The storm will bring a plowable snowfall and a general snow accumulation of 3-5″ to much of Southern New England. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for much of the NWS Taunton Coverage Area except for Cape Cod and the Islands where a mix of snow and rain will keep amounts lower and in the coating to 2 inch range. The morning commute should not be impacted across most of the region though western areas are seeing the snow start near the end of the morning commute. The evening commute will see direct impact from this storm event with the heaviest snowfall likely between 3-8 PM across the region.

The uncertainties with this particular storm event will be how much moisture is associated with the system and when and how quickly the storm intensifies but a general 3-5 inch snowfall is still the most likely outcome currently though its noted models had higher precipitation amounts over portions of the area, particularly in Eastern New England. Models are continuing to hint at the potential for a heavier band of snow to setup within the general Winter Weather Advisory area. If this were to occur, it could create an area of snowfall greater than 5 inches somewhere within the advisory area. It is difficult to know the exact area of where this band may setup but current possibilities are over portions of Southern New Hampshire and Northeast Massachusetts and possibly other parts of Eastern New England. The timing of the heavier snow band formation is likely to be during and just after the evening commute.

It is noted that the snowfall graphic will show a more widespread 4-6″ snowfall versus the prior update. This is due to the fact the graphic will not allow for a 3-5″ range of snow totals. It only allows for 2-4″ or 4-6″ ranges. The most likely scenario is for 3-5″ with a band of potentially higher snowfall of greater than 5″ potentially in the Northeast Massachusetts/Southern New Hampshire region and possibly affecting other parts of Eastern New England.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized for this storm event looking for snowfall reports throughout the day. This will be the last coordination message on this storm event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

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

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

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

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