Hello to all..

..Severe Weather Outbreak Slams Portions of Hampden County Massachusetts specifically the Chicopee, Springfield, Ludlow, Wilbraham and Monson Mass. area. Damage was largely trees and wires down with trees and wires falling on houses and cars. Holyoke, Mass also had damage right along the Connecticut River near Lyman Street where a weakened mill structure was blown out/destroyed in the area. Many Large Hail reports were also received..
..An additional area of significant damage was reported in Willimantic CT with trees down and this also affected portions of Windham, CT. The worst damage was south of Valley Street in Willimantic, Ct affecting Bridge and Spring street and several other locations. Roof damage was reported in the areas as well.. 
..Pictures, Video and additional damage information is requested so that this information can be given to MEMA, FEMA, NWS officials and the media. Credit will be given to the SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators that give the damage and pictures to us. They can be emailed to rmacedo at rcn dot com or kd1cy at comcast dot net (emails put this way to prevent spamming)..
..NWS will survey the damage in Western Massachusetts Wednesday. If time allows, they will also review the damage in the Willimantic, CT area..
..Below is the NWS Taunton Local Storm Report for this event. An update will be sent on this Severe Weather Outbreak that affected the region on Wednesday Evening..

NWS Taunton Local Storm Report 7/26/11 Severe Weather Outbreak:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nwus51.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..

..Severe Thunderstorm Watch #686 has been issued until 7 PM for areas just west of the NWS Taunton County Warning Area. It is likely that this watch will get expanded eastward as western parts of the NWS Taunton County Warning Area have broken out into sunshine and the marine clouds should fade and allow sunshine across Eastern New England particularly away from the coast..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton started at 1215 PM. Weather should get active in western parts of the area starting around 2 PM and should progress eastward through about 8 or 9 PM this evening. This will be the last coordination message issued on today’s threat. Below is the NWS Taunton Special Weather Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook and Severe Thunderstorm Watch #686 Information..

NWS Taunton Special Weather Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KBOX/1107261536.wwus81.html

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

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

Severe Thunderstorm Watch #686:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0686.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..

..Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible to likely this afternoon and evening across Southern New Hampshire and much of Massachusetts north of the Mass. Pike with potential for more isolated strong to severe thunderstorms south of the Mass. Pike. Damaging Winds, large hail, and urban/poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..SPC and NWS Taunton are in agreement on a Slight Risk for Severe Weather this afternoon into evening..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely anytime after 2 PM Today..

At 730 AM, Satellite imagery showed some clouds over Southern New England that should burn off and move east as New York State is largely clear and this should allow sun to break out over the region and this should allow the atmosphere to destablize. A disturbance in the upper levels of the atmosphere will then work its way into New England during this afternoon and evening. This disturbance will have strong wind shear profiles to work with and the atmosphere should destabilize sufficiently for the development of scattered strong to severe thunderstorms particularly along and north of the Mass. Pike in Massachusetts and into Vermont and New Hampshire with Damaging Winds, large hail and urban/poor drainage flooding as the primary threats. SPC has placed this area in a Slight Risk for severe weather.  A more isolated strong to severe thunderstorm threat exists south of the Mass. Pike. Activity could begin as early as 2-3 PM lasting through evening or as late as 5 PM lasting through evening.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely anytime after 2 PM today. This will be the only complete coordination message on this threat. A shortened coordination message will be issued if time allows and Ops at NWS Taunton are initiated. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://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)
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..

..Intense Heat and Humidity will peak today over Southern New England..
..An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect from Noon to 6 PM Today for Northern Connecticut, Norfolk, Suffolk, Southeast Middlesex, Northern  and Western Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and Providence, Kent and Washington Counties of Rhode Island..
..A Heat Advisory is in effect from Noon to 6 PM Today for the remainder of Middlesex, Essex, Worcester, Eastern Hampshire, and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts and Hillsborough county New Hampshire..
..Even outside the Heat Warning/Advisory areas, intense heat and humidity is expected particularly away from the coastal waters and anyone spending a prolonged period of time outdoors should use caution and drink plenty of liquids..
..Convective chances over the next couple days look difficult to predict at this time. There is an outside chance for Mesoscale Convective System development tonight into Saturday Morning. Later on Saturday into early Sunday Morning temperatures aloft will cool while it will still be very warm at the surface though not as warm as the past 2 days, this may also allow for convection. Probabilities look low and SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are not anticipated at this time though SKYWARN Self-Activation may be needed and the situation will be monitored closely. Below is the NWS Taunton Excessive Heat Warning/Heat Advisory Statement, Heat Safety Rules and Area Forecast Discussion that discusses convective chances over the region later today through Early Sunday..

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

NWS/NOAA Heat Safety Rules:
http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml

NWS Taunton Area Forecast Discussion:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.fxus61.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..

..Intense Heat and Humidity could cause issues for anyone working outdoors for an extended period of time across much of the region. A Heat Advisory is in effect from Noon to 9 PM Today and an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday Afternoon for Northern Connecticut, Central and Eastern Massachusetts, North-Central Rhode Island, and Southeast New Hampshire. Even outside of these areas, intense heat and humidity could cause issues fpr anyone outdoors in other portions of Southern New England..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of Northern New England in a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms with portions of Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts from the Mass. Pike northward in a low probability category for isolated severe thunderstorms. Damaging Winds and Large Hail are the primary threats. Threat would be contingnent on thunderstorms overcoming a cap and being able to tap into extreme instability values over the area. If thunderstorms cannot break the cap, weather will be hot and dry over the region..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible later Thursday Afternoon and Evening..

Intense heat and humidity could cause health issues for people with extended exposure outdoors. Heat Advisories have been issued for today and Excessive Heat Watches for Friday have been issued. See link below for NWS Taunton Heat Advisory/Excessive Heat Watch information and NWS/NOAA heat safety rules:

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

NWS/NOAA Heat Safety Rules:
http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml

While the heat will be the major story for Southern New England, Isolated Severe Thunderstorms cannot be ruled out over portions of Southern New England particularly over Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts from the Mass. Pike northward. The atmosphere will have a strong cap which would impede convection but there will also be extreme instability. In Northern New England, an impulse will allow for the forcing required to break the cap and could cause a complex of severe weather, either a bow echo of storms or Mesoscale Convective System to organize and swing through that area with damaging winds and large hail as the primary threats. If the impulse gets far enough south or can allow for the cap to break in portions of Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts north of the pike, this could allow for isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail as the primary threats over this area. It is also possible that activity stays north of the NWS Taunton CWA resulting in just very hot and dry weather and the severe weather threat is a low risk probability but because of the extreme instability with the heat and humidity, it is worth mentioning this in a coordination message in case thunderstorms can organize to the south of the prime threat zone of Northern New England.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible later today and this evening if the threat for severe thunderstorms occurs over the area. This will be the only coordination message unless time allows and Ops at NWS Taunton are initiated. Below is the SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

http://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)
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..

Today’s severe weather event was more isolated in scope and this had to do with a weakening Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) that went over the area during the late morning and afternoon hours. This caused extensive cloud cover precluding a more widespread event. One isolated strong thunderstorm associated with the MCS caused minor wind damage in West Newbury, Mass with a 39 Knot measured wind gust at Eastern Point Gloucester, Mass. followed by an isolated severe thunderstorm affecting the Wareham, South Plymouth, and Bourne, Massachusetts area. An Isolated to Scattered strong to possibly Severe Thunderstorm or two could still occur over the overnight hours but the threat for a more widespread event has diminished and the threat for this isolated to scattered activity is low and will be monitored with SKYWARN Self-Activation. Weather models have difficulties with Mesoscale Convective Systems and can sometimes miss a system and its position entirely. This was the case today with the MCS that went through the area during the late Monday Morning and Afternoon timeframe limiting the severe weather threat.

The following Local Storm Reports highlight the activity from today’s minor weather event:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/LSR_7_18_11.txt

As warmer temperatures approach towards the Thursday to Friday timeframe with the potential for temperatures well into the 90s to perhaps 100 degrees, the threat for severe weather could hinge on Mesoscale Convective Systems, their timing, intensity and track toward the area. This will make for challenging convective forecasts during this period. Along with the heat, the potential for severe weather will need possible monitoring as we move toward this portion of the week.

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..

..Potential exists for a Severe Weather Outbreak across much of Southern New England Monday Afternoon and Evening. Damaging Winds, large hail, urban/poor drainage flooding to isolated flash flooding and isolated supercells are the primary threats..
..Threat timeframe is anytime after 11 AM today. The Storm Prediction Center and NWS Taunton are in agreement on a high-end Slight Risk of severe weather for much of Southern New England..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely anytime after 11 AM today..

At 7 AM, Doppler Radar showed a weakening area of showers and embedded thunderstorms over Southern New Hampshire. This will affect northeast Massachusetts before racing out to sea. A complex of strong thunderstorms is over Lake Ontario diving Southeastward. This will get into Central and Eastern New York later this morning and could get into portions of Western New England early to mid this afternoon and into Central and Eastern New England mid to late afternoon. Satellite imagery at 7 AM shows some mid to high level clouds over Southern New England that should clear out and allow for heating and destablization over the next few hours. Presuming the complex over Lake Ontario holds together as expected, this will likely be the complex that produces a potentially widespread severe weather episode over the region. Damaging Winds, Large Hail, urban and poor drainage flooding to possibly isolated flash flooding and isolated supercells are the main threats. It is noted that the Storm Prediction Center has put Southern New England back into the high percentage slight risk for severe thunderstorm category and NWS Taunton is in agreement. This event is not expected to be as potent as June 1st of this year but it should be a potentially active severe weather day in the region and today’s storms should be monitored closely.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely anytime after 11 AM today. This will likely be the last complete coordination message as we move into operations mode. A shortened coordination message will be issued if time allows and Ops at NWS Taunton are initiated. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://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)
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..

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thundertorms with the potential for a more widespread severe weather event remain a threat for Monday Afternoon through Monday Evening. Damaging Winds, large hail and urban and poor drainage flooding are the primary threats.
..The Storm Prediction Center and NWS Taunton remain in agreement on a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms for Monday. While the high category slight risk has been pulled to the west of Southern New England, there still remains a threat for a more widespread severe weather event and higher probability of severe weather as noted in the 0600 UTC SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely starting as early as 11 AM to Noon lasting through late Monday Evening..

Monday is shaping up to be an active day for thunderstorms across the region and will set the stage for at least isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail and urban/poor drainage flooding as the primary threats. If certain parameters line up, a more widespread severe weather event will be possible. Models indicate sufficient heating for destablization with strong wind shear profiles but in more of a speed shear and unidirectional environment for strong straight-line winds. This could set the stage for one or two clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail and very heavy rainfall that could induce urban/poor drainage flooding. Some items that could mitigate the overall threat for Monday include:

1.) Cloud cover from a convective complex expected to affect Northern New England overnight Sunday Night may delay the severe weather threat until later afternoon or mitigate the severe weather episode.

2.) West winds that could dry out dewpoints in Western New England leading to less destablization.

At this time, parameters indicate active thunderstorms in the area with isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. If the two mitigating factors above don’t occur, a more widespread severe weather event will be possible.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are likely as early as 11 AM-Noon lasting through late evening. The next coordination message will be issued by 830 AM Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KWNS/1107171728.acus02.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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

Read more

Hello to all..

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms remain possible over portions of Southern New Hampshire and Western and Central Massachusetts where the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail and urban and poor drainage flooding are the primary threats..
..A conditional threat for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms exists in areas south and east of the slight risk area in interior Southern New England away from the coastal areas..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is possible anytime after 4 PM ET..

Severe weather threat for today is contingent on the position of a pre-frontal trough/cold front and dewpoints rising into the upper 60s over the region. Sunshine and heating through the day will occur which will start destablization of the atmosphere but it will be the winds shifting to the southwest and advecting higher humidity air and higher dewpoints and the position of the front as a trigger that will determine the scope of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms over the region. Wind shear profiles are expected to remain sufficient for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm development if the front is close enough to the region and higher dewpoint air works its way into the region. The highest risk of this occurring is over Southern New Hampshire and Western and Central Massachusetts where SPC has placed this area under a Slight Risk for severe weather. Areas south and east of the slight risk area will have a more conditional threat for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms. Damaging winds, large hail and urban/poor drainage flooding are the main threats. The threat timeframe looks to be in the late afternoon and evening hours after 4 PM ET.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible late this afternoon and evening. This will be the last complete coordination message on this threat. A shortened coordination message will be issued if time allows and Ops at NWS Taunton are initiated. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:

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

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
http://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)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://beta.wx1box.org

Read more

Hello to all..

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms possible late Wednesday Afternoon into Wednesday Night over portions of Southern New England particularly over Southern New Hampshire, Western, North-Central and Northeastern Massachusetts along and north of the Massachusetts Turnpike where the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed that region in a Slight Risk for Severe Weather. Damaging Winds, Large Hail and urban/poor drainage flooding are the primary threats..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible late Wednesday Afternoon and Wednesday Night..

During the 4th of July, areas of Southeastern New Hampshire into Northeastern Massachusetts did experience strong thunderstorms with isolated severe thunderstorms in Essex County Massachusetts with more widespread activity in New Hampshire and Maine as predicted. SKYWARN Self-Activation was utilized to handle the isolated strong to severe thunderstorms that affected parts of the region. The link below is to the NWS Taunton Local Storm Report on the severe weather reports in Essex County Massachusetts from 7/4/11:

NWS Taunton 7/4/11 Local Storm Report:
http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KBOX/1107050009.nwus51.html

On Wednesday, we will continue to have hot and humid weather over the region. A cold front will drop down into Northern New England as we get into Wednesday Afternoon and early evening and will make its way into Southern New England Wednesday Night into Thursday. Models then diverge in terms of passing this cold front through Southern New England before stalling or having the front further west of the region as we get into Wednesday Night and Thursday. This could have some impact in how far south the severe weather threat extends for the late Wednesday Afternoon and Wednesday Night timeframe. At this time, its expected that the front will be close enough to the region for isolated to scattered severe thunderstorm development extending as far south as Southern New Hampshire, Western, North-Central and Northeast Massachusetts where a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms is highlighted by SPC. Areas to the south of the slight risk area away from the coast may also see an isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm depending on the front position.

Shear profiles will be sufficient for severe weather. In terms of instability, some warm air in the mid-levels of the atmosphere may initially inhibit development of storms and destablization but as the cold front approaches and we get towards evening, cooling of those mid-levels should occur sufficiently to allow for isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms particularly in the SPC Slight Risk area.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible late Wednesday Afternoon into Wednesday Evening. Another coordination message will be issued by 10 AM ET Wednesday. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

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

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KWNS/1107051731.acus02.html

Respectfully Submitted,

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

Read more