Hello to all..
..The following is the third in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 16 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..The Saturday of 2019 Field Day weekend features the increased potential for isolated to scattered gusty rain showers with the potential for small hail in these showers and the potential for isolated strong to possibly even a marginally severe thunderstorm with small to possibly marginally severe hail, strong winds and lightning as potential threats particularly over Central and Eastern New England any time from Noon-7 PM EDT Saturday. While the weather will be dry and pleasant most of the day with temperatures 70-80 and some breezy conditions with gusts up to 25 MPH outside any showers or thunderstorms, Amateur Radio Field Day sites should closely monitor conditions this Saturday Afternoon and Evening for the convective shower and isolated strong thunderstorm potential..
..Sunday looks dry and warm with less wind and temperatures in the 80s and no chance for precipitation..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Many locations can be visited by the public and Amateur Radio Field Day can be a form of outreach to Ham and non-Ham Operators. It is also noted that several states have given proclamations to Amateur Radio/Ham Radio Operators for either an ‘Amateur Radio Day or Amateur Radio Week’ during the month of June or an ‘Amateur Radio Month’ for this month. It is both a fun/preparatory event for Ham Radio Operators for Emergency Communications scenarios..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the strong to marginally severe thunderstorm potential this Saturday Afternoon and Early Evening with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton possible to monitor and guard Field Day sites. No SKYWARN Activation of any type is expected on Sunday..
There are a large number of Amateur Radio Field Day sites across the NWS Boston/Norton Coverage Area and adjacent NWS Coverage Areas. Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region:
Amateur Radio Field Day Information: http://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: https://ema.arrl.org/field-day/
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory: http://ema.arrl.org/field_day/
The commonwealth of Massachusetts has declared this week to be Amateur Radio Week and Governor Baker has proclaimed Saturday June 22nd, 2019 Amateur Radio Day in honor of the ARRL Field Day event. The details can be seen at the following links:
https://ema.arrl.org/2019/06/19/arrl-field-day-is-this-weekend/
https://ema.arrl.org/2019/06/12/triple-play-ma-hams-receive-amateur-radio-proclamations-resolutions-from-house-senate-and-governor/
For Saturday, the potential has increased for convective gusty rain showers with small hail and isolated strong thunderstorms to possibly a marginally severe thunderstorm or two particularly in Central and Eastern New England particularly between 12-7 PM EDT despite low dewpoints and more limited moisture. If a seabreeze front is able to organize in Southeast New England, that could be a further focus for strong to possibly marginally severe thunderstorm potential and will be monitored. While most of the day will be dry with pleasant weather conditions with temperatures from 70-80 degrees expected and some wind outside of showers up to 25 MPH expected, Amateur Radio Field Day sites should be prepared for changeable weather conditions with the gusty rain showers with the potential for small hail and isolated strong thunderstorms to perhaps even a marginally severe thunderstorms or two Saturday Afternoon and Evening. Any thunderstorms will have the potential for small to perhaps marginally severe hail, strong winds and lightning as potential hazards. Amateur Radio Field Day sites should guard local SKYWARN frequencies and monitor NOAA Weather Radio for shower and thunderstorm activity if it gets near or over their local area and assure antenna setups are properly tied off for gusty winds outside of showers of up to 25 MPH and wind gusts higher to around 40 MPH or greater in the presence of any gusty showers or isolated thunderstorms.
On Sunday, warming conditions will occur with temperatures in the 80s in most locations. Conditions will be warm but not humid with dewpoint temperatures in the 50s and light winds and no threat for precipitation.
SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the strong to marginally severe thunderstorm potential this Saturday Afternoon and Early Evening with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton possible to monitor and guard Field Day sites. No SKYWARN Activation of any type is expected on Sunday. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html
NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo
Amateur Radio Field Day sites are still encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
https://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/
During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. Also having a jacket or sweatshirt during evenings as conditions cool etc. may also be useful while operating this year’s Field Day. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
Given the threat for thunderstorms particularly on Saturday, lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning
Given the dry weather expected for Sunday, this will be the last Amateur Radio Field Day Coordination Message for 2019. A shortened coordination message will be posted if time allows and Ops at NWS Boston/Norton are initiated. Good luck to all Amateur Radio Operators participating in 2019 Field Day!
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
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