WINTER FIELD DAY 2026 & a MAJOR WINTER STORM coincide this weekend.
Precipitation will overrun Arctic air in-place. Widespread significant
snow likely, +70% to 100%. Some areas will receive Snow & Ice, plus
sub-Zero Arctic Wind Chills. In some areas travel will be nearly
impossible. Do not exceed your abilities or comfort zone.

The major winter storm forecast for January 24-25, 2026, coinciding
with Winter Field Day—an annual amateur radio event simulating
emergency communications under harsh conditions—will potentially
disrupt outdoor setups. Forecasts from NOAA indicate the storm will
affect 35 eastern U.S. states with widespread precipitation overrunning
Arctic air, making travel nearly impossible and heightening risks for
operators in remote or field locations.

Please review winter safety measures like hypothermia awareness,
frostbite prevention, sharing location plans. I encourage participants
to prioritize health and safety. Consider indoor alternatives for the
48-hour event. Be prepared to terminate the drill and deploy to actual
emergencies for communications support if called upon by any served
agency whether a public-safety agency or NGO. Perhaps this weekend will
evolve into -This Is Not a Drill. If you are a ARES supporter, know
your situational comfort zone and deployment limitations if actually
deployed to assist the public.

Use caution with the dangerous Winter Storm while operating amateur
radio during the planned "Winter Field Day" event. The event, organized
by the Winter Field Day Association (not an official ARRL activity,
though many hams participate), is normally set for the last full weekend
of January. It runs approximately 30 hours, starting around 1600 UTC (11
AM EST) on Saturday the 24th and ending at 2159 UTC (4:59 PM EST) on
Sunday the 25th.

The goal is to practice portable/emergency amateur radio operations
in challenging winter conditions, using HF/VHF/UHF modes, often with
generators or alternative power, antennas in the field, and emphasis on
preparedness for disasters. This year, the timing unfortunately aligns
with a major winter storm forecast to impact much of the eastern and
central U.S., including the ARRL Atlantic Division area (Delaware,
Maryland, DC, parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, along with
Virginia, and West Virginia). At the time of this message, heavy snow,
sleet, and freezing rain is expected starting late Saturday (Jan 24) and
continuing into Sunday (Jan 25), potentially lingering Monday. Winter
Storm Watches are active across portions of the Mid-Atlantic, with high
confidence for significant accumulations, reduced visibility (down to
1/4 mile at times), and difficult to impossible travel conditions. Be
guided by your local ARES officials if deployment to support local needs
are likely.

Let’s practice safety first for all participants—Winter Field
Day rules and organizers stress that safety overrides everything,
especially in harsh winter weather with freezing temps, ice, snow, and
wind. Key precautions include - Monitor local NWS forecasts closely
(e.g., via weather.gov or apps) for your specific location. Have a plan
to abort and return home if you decide to participate.

Know signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite. Remote locations may be
inaccessible if 1st Responders are needed. Have a plan, share it with
others just in case you’re overdue to return home.

Consider indoor operations or a sheltered setup if outdoor/portable
plans become unsafe—many groups opt for cabin shacks, heated tents,
club stations, or protected sites during extreme conditions. That is
what we would likely do in an actual emergency during harsh winter
weather when possible.

Prepare for cold-related risks: layered clothing, windproof gear,
hand/foot warmers, hydration (even when cold), buddy systems, and
sharing your location/plans. Avoid remote or exposed sites if travel
becomes hazardous or if accumulations threaten equipment/power
reliability and safety. Have backup plans for power, heat, and emergency
egress. Make sure your family at home is also safe and prepared for
longer term power and communications failures if you are not there.

If you're in the affected regions, heed warnings from sources like
the NWS and local ARRL sections. Stay safe, stay informed, and enjoy the
event responsibly—whether from a cozy setup or braving the elements
with proper preparation and gear. Regardless of the choice, you know
what to do. This is as real as it gets for a winter deployment.

My sincere thanks to Martin ‘Marty’ Pittinger KB3MXM, one of
our Assistant Division Directors in the MDC section, who first drafted
the original message for more local distribution and suggested I relay
it to the entire Atlantic division after some adjustments. Good call
Marty. Hey, stay safe out there!

73 and I will see you on the radio.

Bob Famiglio, K3RF

ARRL Atlantic Division Director
Chairman Legal Defense Committee
Chairman ARES Subcommittee
610-359-7300

www.QRZ.com/db/K3RF

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ARRL Atlantic Division
Director: Robert B Famiglio, K3RF
[email protected]
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