Hello to all..

..Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators..
..A Light Snowstorm is likely to bring a ‘White Christmas’ to much of Southern New England away from Cape Cod and the Islands and possibly some other parts of south coastal Massachusetts/Rhode Island based on storm intensity/track and amount of cold air available. Snowfall amounts are expected to be 1-3″ with isolated higher amounts of up to 4″ north of the Massachusetts Turnpike..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to gather snowfall amounts during this storm event. The next coordination message for the Christmas Eve Night/Christmas Day storm event will be posted by 11 AM Monday Morning..
..Another more powerful storm is expected late Wednesday Afternoon into Thursday. Details for this storm are uncertain but SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible during this time period. Coordination Messages for this storm system will likely be issued by Christmas Night. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Taunton snow graphic map for the 12/24/12-12/25/12 storm event..

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

NWS Taunton Snowfall Graphic Map (12/24/12-12/25/12 Storm Event):
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

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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. 2012 was not as historic as 2011 in terms of events, however, 2012 did have some very interesting weather events including a few historic events. 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 2012 reveal that while this year was quieter than 2011 in terms of historical events, there were a few significant event of note particularly toward the second half of 2012. After a very quiet winter, we had an average summer severe weather season but with a few notable events including the July 18th, 2012 severe weather event that resulted in a microburst in Arlington, Massachusetts and numerous Golf Ball to 2″ hail reports across portions of Southern New England and the North Shore and even a funnel cloud spotted by Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters over the North Shore and out over Boston Harbor. There was also the August 10th, 2012 severe weather outbreak that resulted in the first ever in recorded history tornado in Block Island Rhode Island and a 100 MPH microburst in Glastonbury, Conencticut. In early September on September 5th, 2012, the remnants of Isaac combined with a frontal system to cause a serious flash flood event in Fall River, Massachusetts.

As we moved into the Fall, two historic storms affected the region. Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy impacted much of Southern New England with sustained winds in the high-end tropical storm force range with hurricane force wind gusts particularly over Connecticut, Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts. Storm Surge flooding, the worst seen since Hurricane Bob and the Perfect Storm affected portions of South Coastal Massachusetts, and Rhode Island while the East Coast of Massachusetts saw the worse coastal flooding since the 2007 Patriots Day Storm. Widespread pockets of trees and wires down were noted with pockets of structural damage to roofs. At the height of the storm, approximately 386,000 were without power in Massachusetts, 122,000 in Rhode Island and 640,000 in Connecticut for a total of over 1.1 Million without power. Despite such a significant impact on Southern New England, it paled in comparison to the New York City, Long Island and New Jersey area which had a total of over 4 Million without power, 2.4 Million alone in New Jersey and the region is still recovering from the affects of Sandy. Federal disaster aid is flowing into New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and recently, portions of Eastern Massachusetts were added to the federal aid assistance from the impacts of Hurricane Sandy. Much more will be analyzed and researched about Hurricane Sandy in the coming months about her evolution and impacts over such a large area of the US East Coast.

Approximately one week after Hurricane Sandy on Wednesday November 7th into Thursday November 8th, 2012, a powerful nor’easter impacted Southern New England. This nor’easter brought snow to portions of interior Southern New England and heavy rainfall and damaging winds to the coastline as well as minor to moderate coastal flooding. Wind Gusts as high as 70 MPH was recorded and what made the storm more damaging along the coast was the long duration of northeast winds that occurred lasting in many coastal locations for around or more than 24 hours. Scattered power outages were noted along the coastline along with minor to moderate coastal flooding in pockets. Some coastal folks noted that the duration of the strong to damaging winds made the nor’easter worse than Hurricane Sandy which had stronger winds but over a less duration of time than this nor’easter.

As we move forward in 2013, we will be continuing our commitment to SKYWARN training with planning starting in January. 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. We have more work to do in renewing our efforts to utilizing Amateur Radio HF and 6 Meters where required, 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 also 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. NWS Taunton has also setup their twitter feed recently. We also have our WX1BOX Facebook page and NWS Taunton a facebook page as well. SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators 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 situatiuonal 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 2012. 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

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Hello to all..

..A Cold Front will move through the area and behind the front as cold air moves in or advects into the region, winds will increase to Wind Advisory levels over much of the region..
..A Wind Advisory is in effect from 1 PM-11 PM Saturday for Massachusetts (except for Berkshire County which has a Wind Advisory from 10 AM-10 PM Saturday), and Rhode Island and from 10 AM Saturday Morning to 11 PM Saturday Evening for Northern Connecticut for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 45-50 MPH. These winds may cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor the strong winds today across the region today. This will likely be the only coordination message on today’s wind event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs..
..The potential exists for a ‘White Christmas’ over portions of Southern New England particularly along and south of the Mass. Pike with a light to possibly moderate snow event late Monday Evening into Christmas Morning. Coordination Messages for this event will start Sunday Night or Monday Morning if this potential materializes..
..Below is the NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement and Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Taunton Wind Advisory Statement:
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=box&wwa=wind advisory

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/displayHazardByCounty.php?locationCode=MAZ022&warncountyname=Barnstable&pil=BOXHWOBOX

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..

..Strong Storm System affecting the region with Strong to Damaging Winds and a period of heavy rainfall with the possibility of a brief period of wintry mixed precipitation in Southern New Hampshire and Northwest Massachusetts before precipitation changes over to rain..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect until 4 PM Friday Afternoon for Cape Cod and the Islands including Block Island RI for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts of 55-60 MPH..
..A Wind Advisory is now in effect until 1 PM for all of Rhode Island for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. A Wind Advisory is now in effect for the North Shore, Metro Boston Area, the Blue Hills of Eastern Norfolk County, Plymouth, Bristol, Western Norfolk, Western Essex and Central Middlesex Counties for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. The strongest winds are expected between 9 AM-3 PM Friday across the region..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 9 AM Friday Morning to monitor the strong to damaging wind threat and any urban/poor drainage flooding that could occur with a period of heavy rainfall..

A strong storm system that is responsible for bringing a major winter storm/blizzard conditions to the midwest US will affect our weather with strong to damaging winds and a period of heavy rainfall as Southern New England stays on the warm side of the storm system. A brief period of snow/sleet/freezing rain is possible in Northwest Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire overnight but accumulations should be less than an inch or two and quickly change over to rain. A period of heavy rainfall is expected with possibly even some convection possible and this heavy rainfall may result in brief urban and poor drainage flooding.

Of more concern is the potential for strong to damaging winds over much of Eastern New England. A High Wind Warning is now in effect until 4 PM Friday Afternoon for Cape Cod and the Islands including Block Island RI for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts of 55-60 MPH. A Wind Advisory is now in effect until 1 PM for all of Rhode Island for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. A Wind Advisory is now in effect for the North Shore, Metro Boston Area, the Blue Hills of Eastern Norfolk County, Plymouth, Bristol, Western Norfolk, Western Essex and Central Middlesex Counties for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH. The strongest winds are expected between 9 AM-3 PM Friday across the region.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 9 AM Friday. This will be the last coordination message on this storm event. Below is 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

Read more

Hello to all..

..Strong Storm System still expected to affect the region with Strong to Damaging Winds and a period of heavy rainfall with the possibility of a brief period of wintry mixed precipitation in Southern New Hampshire and Northwest Massachusetts before precipitation changes over to rain..
..A High Wind Watch remains in effect from 5 AM Friday Morning through Friday Afternoon for South Coastal Rhode Island and South Coastal Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands, Block Island and all of Plymouth County Massachusetts for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts of 60 MPH possible.
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect for East Coastal Massachusetts including the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area, North Shore and the Blue Hills of Norfolk County for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH. Interior locations could see Wind Advisory level winds during the day Friday. The strongest winds are expected between 10 AM-2 PM Friday..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 9 AM Friday Morning to monitor the strong to damaging wind threat and any urban/poor drainage flooding that could occur with a period of heavy rainfall..

A strong storm system that is responsible for bringing a major winter storm/blizzard conditions to the midwest US will affect our weather with strong to damaging winds and a period of heavy rainfall as Southern New England stays on the warm side of the storm system. A brief period of snow/sleet/freezing rain is possible in Northwest Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire overnight but accumulations should be less than an inch or two and quickly change over to rain. A period of heavy rainfall is expected with possibly even some convection possible and this heavy rainfall may result in brief urban and poor drainage flooding. Of more concern is the potential for strong to damaging winds particularly over East Coastal New England but also possible over interior locations as well. A High Wind Watch reamins in effect from late Tonight through Friday Afternoon for sustained winds of 30 to 40 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH for South Coastal Rhode Island and South Coastal Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands, Block Island and all of Plymouth County Massachusetts and has been expanded to include Eastern Essex, Suffolk, Southeast Middlesex and Eastern Norfolk Counties of Massachusetts. Interior locations could see Wind Advisory level winds during the day Friday with wind gusts of up to 50 MPH with a few higher gusts possible. Any heavier convective rain showers or possible thunderstorms may bring stronger winds down to the surface and will be monitored. The timeframe of strongest winds will likely be from around 10 AM-2 PM Friday.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will commence by 9 AM Friday. Another coordination message will be issued by 9 AM Friday Morning updating the storm threat. 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

Read more

Hello to all..

..Strong Storm System to affect the region will bring Strong to Damaging Winds and a period of heavy rainfall to the region with the possibility of a brief period of wintry mixed precipitation in Southern New Hampshire and Northwest Massachusetts before precipitation changes over to rain..
..A High Wind Watch is now in effect from late tonight through Friday Afternoon for South Coastal Rhode Island and South Coastal Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands, Block Island and all of Plymouth County Massachusetts for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts of 50-60 MPH. Interior locations could see Wind Advisory level winds during the day Friday..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible on Friday to monitor the strong to damaging wind threat and any urban/poor drainage flooding that could occur with a period of heavy rainfall..

A strong storm system that is responsible for bringing a major winter storm/blizzard conditions to the midwest US will affect our weather with strong to damaging winds and a period of heavy rainfall as Southern New England stays on the warm side of the storm system. A brief period of snow/sleet/freezing rain is possible in Northwest Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire overnight but accumulations should be less than an inch and quickly change over to rain. A period of heavy rainfall is expected with possibly even some convection possible and this heavy rainfall may result in brief urban and poor drainage flooding. Of more concern is the potential for strong to damaging winds particularly over Southeast New England but also possible over interior locations as well. A High Wind Watch is now in effect from late Tonight through Friday Afternoon for sustained winds of 25 to 35 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH for South Coastal Rhode Island and South Coastal Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands, Block Island and all of Plymouth County Massachusetts. Interior locations could see Wind Advisory level winds during the day Friday with wind gusts of up to 50 MPH with a few higher gusts possible. Any heavier convective rain showers or possible thunderstorms may bring stronger winds down to the surface and will be monitored.

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton are possible Friday. Another coordination message will be issued by 11 PM this evening. 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

Read more

Hello to all..

..Several storm systems will affect Southern New England this week bringing some wintry precipitation, rainfall, possible minor coastal flooding and some strong winds to the region. Timeframes from these storms are Sunday Afternoon through Monday Morning, Monday Night into Wednesday and late Thursday into Friday. Coordination messages will be sent as warranted throughout this period for each of these storm events..
..The focus of this coordination message will be on the first storm system which will bring some wintry precipitation to Southern New Hampshire and Northwest and North-Central Massachusetts with rain elsewhere. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from Noon Sunday to 9 AM Monday for Southern New Hampshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Worcester, Northern Middlesex and Western Hampden Counties for 1-3″ of snow and up to one-tenth of an inch of icing..
..Some minor splashover of coastal locations may occur late Sunday Morning into early this afternoon during that high tide cycle..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor this first storm system from Sunday Afternoon to Monday Morning..

A storm system will track over Southern New England later today into Monday Morning. This storm system will bring mostly rain to Connecticut, Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts after a brief period of snow and sleet at the start of the event. Across Western and Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for all of Southern New Hampshire and Franklin, Hampshire, Worcester, Western Hampden, and Northern Middlesex Counties for 1-3″ of snow and up to one-tenth inch of radial ice. This will be enough wintry precipitation for hazardous road conditions. Also, there is the possibility for some minor splashover along north and east facing coastal areas during the Sunday midday high tide cycle and a Coastal Hazard Message has been issued highlighting that potential minor splashover in those areas.

This week looks to be an active week of weather. A second storm system is expected Monday Night into Wednesday. This system looks to bring predominantly rain to the region with a brief wintry mix possible in Northwest Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Minor coastal flooding may occur at the time of high tide across some north and east facing locations. Strong winds possibly to Wind Advisory levels may occur as the storm departs the region later Tuesday Night and Wednesday. Another storm system may then affect the region late Thursday Night and Friday but its too early to get into the details regarding that system. Additional coordination messages for each of these storm systems will be sent out as conditions warrant and we get closer to each event.

SKYWARN Self-Activation will be utilized to monitor tonight’s storm system looking for snowfall and icing reports and changeover in precipitation type. This will be the only coordination message for the Sunday Afternoon into Monday Morning storm system unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Coastal Hazard Message for the Sunday midday high tide cycle:

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 Coastal Hazard Message:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.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..

..Brief period of frozen precipitation expected across Northwest portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 PM tonight through 8 AM Monday for Southern New Hampshire and Franklin and Western Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for freezing rain and a brief period of light snow/sleet before all precipitation changes to rain by mid-morning Monday. The morning commute may be affected with some icy conditions before conditions warm in this area..
..All other areas will experience plain rain and there could be some brief nuisance flooding of poor drainage and urban areas in any heavy downpours but no other hazardous weather is expected..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will be used as required for the Winter Weather Advisory area. This will be the only coordination message on this situation 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

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..

..A weak storm system may cause hazardous travel in northwest portions of the NWS Taunton coverage area Saturday Evening into early Sunday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 8 PM Saturday Evening through 7 AM Sunday Morning for Franklin, Hampshire, Northern Worcester, Northern Middlesex and Hampden Counties of Massachusetts and all of Southern New Hampshire for snowfall of 1-2″ except one inch or less in Hampden County Massachusetts and icing glaze of less than one-tenth of an inch which may be enough to cover slippery travel overnight..
..This weather situation will be handled through SKYWARN Self-Activation overnight as needed. This will be the only coordination message on this storm unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs. Below is the NWS Taunton Winter Weather Advisory and Hazardous Weather Outlook..
..SKYWARN Recognition Day activities will continue as planned and a link to that information is included below as well..

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 SKYWARN Recognition Day Activities:
http://beta.wx1box.org/node/3218

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..

The following is a special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day. This announcement also appears on the WX1BOX home page via the following link:

http://beta.wx1box.org/node/3218

Announcement text is listed below:

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2012. In addition, for the sixth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign W1BOS from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 1st, 2012.

This will be the 14th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its
anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. Web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov
http://www.arrl.org/news/the-14th-annual-skywarn-recognition-day-set-for-december-1

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be
utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Saturday at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current
sky condition and temperature as required. Below is the tentative schedule of operations:

Friday November 30th, 2012:
7:00-7:30 PM:    146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM:    147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM:    145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM:    146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM:    146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM:   147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
10:00-10:30 PM:  146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
10:30-11:00 PM:  145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM:  146.955-Barnstable PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 1st, 2012:
7:00-8:30 AM:   146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM:   Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM:   145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM:  146.640-Waltham Repeater
10:00-11:00 AM: NWS Taunton 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)
12:00-12:30 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
12:30 PM-100 PM:  146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
1:00-1:30 PM:   146.595 Simplex
1:30-2:00 PM:   147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
2:00-2:30 PM:   146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
2:30-3:00 PM:   145.130-Gloucester Repeater (PL: 107.2 Hz)
3:00-3:30 PM:   146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9)
3:30-4:00 PM:   146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4)
4:00-4:30 PM:   146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8)
4:30-5:00 PM:   147.165-Exeter, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:00-5:30 PM:   146.760-Scituate, RI (PL: 67.0)
5:30-6:00 PM:   145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0)
6:00-6:30 PM:   147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0)
6:30-7:00 PM:   449.375-Pack Monadnock, NH Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

The following is information EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD (Time slot from last year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to keept the time slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1100-1200: WX4HUN (Time slot from last year)
1200-1300: W7NWS  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1400-1500: WX7SLC (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1500-1530: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1530-1600: N0F    (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1600-1800: WX4NC  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX  (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)

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 the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other 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.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

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-ENG* 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.

-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 system. Thanks to all for there support!

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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