Hello to all..

As many of you are aware, Southern New England has experienced drought-like conditions due to much below normal precipitation that has occurred since the start of 2012. Given these conditions, the National Weather Service in Taunton has started issuing Drought Information Statements. The first of such statements appears below with another one issued in about a month’s time, sooner if condition warrants. See the NWS Taunton Drought Information Statement below:

http://beta.wx1box.org/local/drought_1.txt

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..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions may continue for much of this week..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from Noon to 8 PM Monday for the entire Southern New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Northwest Rhode Island and all of Massachusetts except for Cape Cod and the Islands. A Special Weather Statement has been issued for Cape Cod and the Islands regarding elevated fire weather conditions. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning..
..It is noted that there are fire weather concerns for much of this week. Additional Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings could be issued for portions of the region over the next few days..
..To cover the threat, this coordination message is designed to point people who are interested in these statements to the appropriate links to see when Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings are being issued over the next few days and to raise public awareness. This will be the only coordination message to cover the threat of fire weather conditions over the next few days..
..Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning/Fire Weather Watch Statement link, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 and Day-2 Fire Weather Outlooks..

NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch/Red Flag Warning/Special Weather Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement for Monday April 16th, 2012:
http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KBOX/1204160815.wwus81.html

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

SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html

SPC Day-2 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.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..

The following message is being posted on the WX1BOX web site to allow for widest distribution to Amateurs supporting the Boston Marathon.

A Boston Marathon Coordination Message has been posted to the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site. It is giving information to Amateur Radio Operators who are supporting the Boston Marathon from around the region, weather safety information as it pertains to the marathon event and information to Eastern Massachusetts ARES members who cannot support the marathon that stand-by mobilization will occur from Monday April 16th from 7 AM-7 PM in case of an incident outside of the marathon route that they may be able to support. ARES members in the Eastern Massachusetts section that are supporting the Boston Marathon directly are to support that mission as their top priority and utilize this coordination message for weather safety information only. A link to the coordination message is listed below:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/611

We appreciate those Amateur Radio Operators and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters who are supporting this year’s Boston Maraton event!

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..

..Convective Showers and thunderstorms are producing small hail over numerous locations across Southern New England and this can be expected through early evening. There is an outside chance of a thunderstorm producing marginally severe hail but the most likely scenario is for showers and thunderstorms to produce many small hail reports. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the situation. This will be the only coordination message sent on this event. Below are some locations reporting small hail today so far and times are approximate..

1057 AM: Millville, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1123 AM: Windham, NH: Pea Sized Hail
1125 AM: Danvers, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1125 AM: Haverhill, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1125 AM: Andover, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1130 AM: North Attleboro, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1132 AM: Peabody, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1134 AM: Cambridge, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1134 AM: Melrose, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1134 AM: Brookline, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1145 AM: North Andover, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1152 AM: Merrimac, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1153 AM: Northampton, Mass: Pea Sized Hail
1156 AM: Franklin, Mass: Pea Sized Hail

Regards,

Rob Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Massachusetts

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Hello to all..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions, windy conditions near or just short of Wind Advisory criteria and low relative humidities for Monday late Morning through evening..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 10 AM Wednesday Morning through 8 PM Wednesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..The Fire Weather is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning. Winds could approach Wind Advisory criteria and will be monitored for possible SKYWARN Self-Activation for any isolated wind damage or wind gusts meeting or exceeding SKYWARN reporting criteria. This will be the only coordination message on fire weather conditions. An updated coordination message on the wind could occur if a significant upgrade to the wind threat occurs..
..Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 and Day-2 Fire Weather Outlooks..

NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html

SPC Day-2 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.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..

..Happy Easter/Passover to those celebrating those holidays..

For SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators that utilize Facebook and Twitter, a reminder that the WX1BOX Amateur Radio Station now has a presence on both Facebook and Twitter. The Facebook page is at the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/wx1box

Please click ‘like’ to like the page. The facebook page features updates tied to the wx1box.org web site and occasional posting of pictures from storm activity as it happens and can serve as a medium for reporting for those that like to use Facebook.

We also have a twitter account under the ‘WX1BOX’ name. Click follow to follow us on Twitter. This is typically monitored for reports and updates on storm situations are posted on Twitter. The facebook page and Twitter is linked together to provide this service.

We have a few updates to SKYWARN Training sessions. We have confirmed a session in Windham County CT for Thursday May 24th. We also have made the Brimfield session, preregistration required, as their is potentially a large turnout expected. Please send email as stated below if you’re interested in attending that class. The site’s capacity is approximately 50 people. Also, we have added a SKYWARN Training session for Friday Afternoon August 24th, 2012 prior to the Boxboro New England Division ARRL Convention and Ham Radio Show/Hamfest. The complete training schedule including links to the schedule are listed below:

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Link via NWS web site: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/officePrograms/skywarn/skywarnTraining.shtml

NWS Taunton SKYWARN Training Link via wx1box.org web site: http://beta.wx1box.org/node/36

The following are SKYWARN Training Sessions booked for 2012. Further training sessions will be booked over the course of the year so check back frequently for updates.

Tuesday April 17th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Wilton NH Fire Department
102 Main Street
Wilton, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday April 21st, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Lanesville Community Center
8 Vulcan Street
Gloucester, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

Monday April 30th, 2012: 630-930 PM:
NH West Chapter House
83 Court Street
Keene, NH
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required
Sponsored by: Cheshire County NH CCDX Amateur Radio Club

Thursday May 3rd, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Walpole Public Library
147 School Street
Walpole, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday May 5th, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Scouter’s Hall
13 North Main Street
North Smithfield, RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Building Location/Parking:
The entrance to the parking is across the street from the N. Smithfield Library and N. Main Street. The gray building is in about 200 yards off the street behind a very old stone building.  It is at the east end of Pacheco Park.

Saturday May 12th, 2012: 10 AM-1 PM:
Clay Center Observatory Lecture Hall
Dexter and Southfield Schools
20 Newton Street
Brookline, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Directions: www.claycenter.org

Wednesday May 16th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Canton, CT Community Center
40 Dyer Avenue
Canton, CT
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Thursday May 24th, 2012: 7-10 PM:
Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications 911 Center
1249 Hartford Pike Rt.101
Dayville, Ct.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Thursday May 31st, 2012: 7-10 PM:
22News WWLP-TV
1 Broadcast Center
Chicopee, Mass.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: None Required

Saturday June 2nd, 2012: Noon-3 PM:
Hitchcock Free Academy
2 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, Mass.
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: Pre-registration required. Please email Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo at rcn.com or William Babcock at william.babcock at noaa.gov (Emails presented this way to prevent spamming)

Friday August 24th, 2012: 1-4 PM:
Holiday Inn – Boxborough
242 Adams Place
Boxborough Mass.
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required
Sponsorship: This training is being run in conjunction with the ARRL New England Division Convention and Ham Radio Show. This is being done prior to the Hamfest starting and no admission will be charged on Friday for those interested in attending this SKYWARN Training session.

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..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities. These conditions may persist through the weekend..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 11 AM Wednesday Morning through 8 PM Wednesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning..
..It is noted that there are fire weather concerns for much of this week. Additional Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings could be issued for portions of the region over the next few days..
..To cover the threat, this coordination message is designed to point people who are interested in these statements to the appropriate links to see when Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings are being issued over the next few days and to raise public awareness. This will be the only coordination message to cover the threat of fire weather conditions over the next few days..
..Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning/Fire Weather Watch Statement link, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 and Day-2 Fire Weather Outlooks..

NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch/Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.KBOX.html

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

SPC Day-1 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html

SPC Day-2 Fire Weather Outlook:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.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..

Please see the following notice in regards to Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications and a study that is being executed. Time is short with a 45-day comment period as proposed by the FCC and the ARRL is looking for comments over the next 3 weeks to collate a common report. Please don’t delay and provide comments. Thanks to all for their support. The text of the memo from ARRL HQ with full details is listed via the link below:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/610

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..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities..
..A Red Flag Warning is now in effect from 11 AM Tuesday Morning through 7 PM Tuesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning. This will be the last coordination message for today’s fire weather concerns. It is noted that there are fire weather concerns for much of this week. Below is the NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Red Flag Warning Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.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

Read more

Hello to all..

..Fire Weather to once again reach critical levels due to recent dry conditions and low relative humidities..
..A Fire Weather Watch is now in effect from Tuesday Morning through Tuesday Evening for the entire NWS Taunton coverage area except for Cape Cod and the Islands. Local Fire Weather officials have advised that any fires that develop will have the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended and people should not throw cigarette butts out from moving vehicles as that could cause a brush fire that could spread out of control quickly..
..This is not a SKYWARN Activation type of event but this message is sent for public awareness to use caution and to postpone any outdoor burning. Another coordination message will be issued by 830 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Fire Weather Watch Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus81.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

Read more