[HCRA] Fw: Storm Coordination Message #4

[et-n1qko@juno.com]

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Rob Macedo" <rmacedo@rcn.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2002 11:41:07 -0500
Subject: Storm Coordination Message #4
Hello to all....

....Merry Christmas to all SKYWARN Coordinators, Spotters, Amateur Radio
Operatrors and Emergency Management Directors....
....Major SnowStorm with the Potential for Near Blizzard Conditions and
Possible Damage to Affect Much of Southern New England on this Christmas
Day
2002....
....SKYWARN Self-Activation Should Commence by mid-late afternoon for all
areas....
....NWS Taunton Ops Probability has increased to 40-60% with activation
of
ops anytime after 4 PM....

A Major Snowstorm will pound Southern New England on Christmas Day.
Depending on the weight of snow and winds, damage to tree and power line
infrastructure is possible over the area. Also, a period of near Blizzard
Conditions is possible over the area if snow is falling at the time of
strongest winds over portions of Eastern Massachusetts. Near Blizzard
conditions is also possible over much of interior Southern New England if
winds gust between 35-40 MPH in that area.

There is a possibility of an upgrade of the Winter Storm Warning to a
Blizzard Warning over portions of the Winter Storm Warning, if this
occurs
or a High Wind Warning is issued for East Coastal Massachusetts, NWS
Taunton
Operations will be initiated during the late afternoon and evening hours
of
Christmas Day.

This will be the last email on this event. Alphanumeric pages will be
sent
as needed during the day to update the threat.

Synopsis of what is expected currently:

Winter Storm Warning for all of interior Massachusetts, Northeast Coastal
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Northern CT, and Southern NH. Near Blizzard
Conditions Possible. Possible tree and power line damage could occur.

1.) Heavy snowfall of 5-10" in the Providence RI-Brockton, Mass.
Corridor.
8-14" in the Boston area through Northern RI with 10-20" of snow expected
north of the Boston-Northern RI area into Northern CT, the rest of
Massachusetts and Southern NH.

Winter WX Advisory Posted for the South Coastal RI and Mass, Cape and
Islands.

2.) Snowfall of 3-6" expected with the potential for a period of blizzard
conditions as rain changes over to snow as the storm wears on.

High Wind Watch Posted for East Coastal Massachusetts and Cape Cod and
the
Islands.

3.) Winds could result in possible wind damage combined with the heavy
wet
snow or damage just from the strong winds itself. Other areas could
potentially see Wind Advisory criteria.

Coastal Flooding

4.) Expected to be minor but should be monitored across North and East
Facing Beaches.

SKYWARN Activation Status

5.) SKYWARN Self-Activation required by late Afternoon for all areas in
the
Warning region. If a High Wind Warning or Blizzard Warning is issued, Ops
at
NWS Taunton will be activated for the late PM and evening hours.

This will be the last email on this event. All SKYWARN Coordinators and
Spotters should monitor their local repeater as the storm begins to
unfold
over the region.

Below are the Winter Storm Warning, High Wind Watch, Hazardous WX
Outlook,
and Area Forecast Discussion statements:

WWUS41 KBOX 251624
WSWBOX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1110 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>018-NHZ011-012-RIZ001>004-252206-
CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN KENT RI-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-HARTFORD CT-
HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-SUFFOLK MA-TOLLAND CT-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN KENT RI-WESTERN MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-WINDHAM CT-
1110 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002

...WINTER STORM WARNING THROUGH TONIGHT FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW
ENGLAND...

A MAJOR WINTER STORM IS EXPECTED TO DUMP 15 TO 20 INCHES OF SNOW
ACROSS NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.  12 TO
18 INCHES ARE FORECAST FOR NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS.   GENERALLY 10
TO 15 INCHES ARE FORECAST FROM HARTFORD COUNTY CONNECTICUT
NORTHEASTWARD THROUGH SOUTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY AND NORTHWEST RHODE
ISLAND TO JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY OF BOSTON.  IN BOSTON...WHERE RAIN
OR SLEET MAY MIX IN FOR A TIME...8 TO 14 INCHES ARE PREDICTED.
LESSER AMOUNTS...FROM 5 TO 10 INCHES ARE FORECAST FROM PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND TO BROCKTON MASSACHUSETTS.

THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVIEST FROM MID AFTERNOON THROUGH ABOUT MIDNIGHT.
WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL RATES WILL RANGE FROM 1 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR
WITH SCATTERED HIGHER HOURLY SNOWFALL RATES IN THUNDERSTORMS.

WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 4O TO
45 MPH POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REGION LATE THIS AFTERNOON.  THIS WILL
CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE SNOW...ESPECIALLY IN NORTHWESTERN
AREAS WHERE THE SNOW WILL BE FLUFFIER.  FARTHER TO THE
SOUTHEAST...FROM NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT TO THE BOSTON AREA...A HEAVY
WET SNOW IS ANTICIPATED...WITH TEMPERATURES NEAR OR POSSIBLY EVEN A
DEGREE OR TWO ABOVE FREEZING THIS AFTERNOON.

A HIGH WIND WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR EAST COASTAL MASSACHUSETTS FOR
TONIGHT.  THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR NORTHEAST TO NORTH WINDS OF 30 TO
40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 TO 60 MPH THERE.  IF THESE HIGH WINDS
MATERIALIZE AND HEAVY SNOW FALLS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEM...NEAR
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS COULD RESULT.

TRAVEL IS NOT ADVISED.  IN FACT...BY TONIGHT...SOME SECONDARY ROADS
COULD BECOME IMPASSABLE.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THIS STORM AND FOR THE POTENTIAL
BLIZZARD THREAT FOR TONIGHT.  YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE WEB AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV.

$$


MAZ019>021-RIZ005>007-252207-
BRISTOL RI-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-NEWPORT RI-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-WASHINGTON RI-
1110 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH TONIGHT...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND
TONIGHT FOR SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND...PLYMOUTH COUNTY...AND SOUTHERN
BRISTOL COUNTY IN MASSACHUSETTS.  A MIXED BAG OF RAIN...SLEET...AND
SNOW IS FORECAST FOR TODAY.  IT SHOULD CHANGE OVER TO SNOW AND
ACCUMULATE 3 TO 6 INCHES IN THESE AREAS BEFORE TAPERING OFF TONIGHT.

IN ADDITION...NORTHEAST TO NORTH WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH
WITH POSSIBLE GUSTS ABOVE 50 MPH TONIGHT.  A HIGH WIND WATCH IS IN
EFFECT FOR PLYMOUTH COUNTY.  IF THE STRONG WINDS MATERIALIZE AND
HEAVY SNOW IS ALSO FALLING...NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS COULD RESULT
FOR A TIME TONIGHT.

DRIVING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.  HOWEVER...IF YOU MUST BE ON THE
ROAD...PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND DRIVE
WITH EXTREME CAUTION.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THIS STORM AND FOR THE POTENTIAL
BLIZZARD THREAT FOR TONIGHT.  YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE WEB AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV.

$$

WWUS71 KBOX 251616
NPWBOX

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1100 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002

MAZ007-015-016-019-022>024-252159-
BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-
EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-NANTUCKET MA-SUFFOLK MA-
1100 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002

...HIGH WIND WATCH FOR TONIGHT...

NORTHEAST WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH MAY REACH 50 TO 60 MPH AT TIMES IN
GUSTS OVER COASTAL SECTIONS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.  THE STRONG
WINDS WILL START AROUND 5 PM AND WILL LIKELY CONTINUE UNTIL AFTER
MIDNIGHT.

THE FORECAST WATCH AREA INCLUDES THE ENTIRE EAST COAST OF
MASSACHUSETTS SOUTH OF THE MERRIMACK RIVER...TO CAPE ANN...TO
BOSTON...TO PLYMOUTH SOUTH ACROSS CAPE COD TO MARTHAS VINEYARD AND
NANTUCKET.

IF THESE HIGH WINDS MATERIALIZE...AND IF HEAVY SNOW IS FALLING AT
THE SAME TIME...THEN IT WOULD RESULT IN NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THAT THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR STRONG DAMAGING
WINDS TO DEVELOP IN THE MENTIONED AREAS. THESE STRONG WINDS CAN CAUSE
TREES AND POWER LINES TO FALL AS WELL AS CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. IF
A HIGH WIND WARNING IS ISSUED...STAY INSIDE...AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA SOURCE FOR
LATER STATEMENTS OR POSSIBLE UPGRADES.  YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE WEB
AT WEATHER.GOV.

$$

FLUS41 KBOX 251633
HWOBOX
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-NHZ011-012-RIZ001>007-261630-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1128 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...
MASSACHUSETTS EAST OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY...NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT AND
RHODE ISLAND.

.DAY ONE...TODAY
A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL BRING HEAVY SNOWFALL TO MUCH OF SOUTHERN
NEW ENGLAND TODAY.  IN ADDITION...STRONG WINDS WILL
DEVELOP...ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN PORTIONS LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND
TONIGHT.  WINDS MAY GUST TO 50 TO 60 MPH ALONG THE MASSACHUSETTS
COAST TONIGHT.  IF HEAVY SNOW IS FALLING WHEN THE STRONG WINDS
MATERIALIZE...THEN BLIZZARD OR NEAR-BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL BE
POSSIBLE FOR A TIME.  THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AND WET IN THE REGION
FROM WILLIMANTIC NORTHEASTWARD TO BOSTON.  THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS
FOR SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES WHEN THE WIND INCREASES.  FARTHER NORTH
AND WEST...THE SNOW WILL BE FLUFFIER AND SUBJECT TO BLOWING AND
DRIFTING AS THE WIND INCREASES.

EXPECT SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR WITH LOCALLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS IN SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...
SNOW SLEET OR RAIN IS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REGION SATURDAY OR
SUNDAY.  HOWEVER THE NORTHWARD EXTENT OF THIS STORM AND ITS
ASSOCIATED AMOUNTS ARE IN QUESTION AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
SPOTTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO RELAY REPORTS OF SNOWFALL...USING THE
PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES LISTED IN THE SNOWFALL MEASURING SECTION OF
THE SKYWARN PROGRAM PORTION OF THE ABOVE WEB SITE.  ALSO...SPOTTERS
SHOULD REPORT SUSTAINED WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH OR GUSTS IN EXCESS
OF 45 MPH.  ALSO...PLEASE REPORT ANY TREES OR POWER LINES THAT ARE
KNOCKED DOWN BY THE STORM TODAY AND TONIGHT.

$$

FOR WATCH/WARNING/ADVISORY THRESHOLDS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING
LINK (ALL LOWER CASE):
HTTP://WWW.ERH.NOAA.GOV/ER/BOX/WARNINGCRITERIA.SHTML .

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
SEMCARES Emergency Coordinator