****** NOTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE EMa ARES MOBILIZATION ******
***** MAJOR WINTER STORM TO IMPACT AREA *****
**** PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR PREPARATORY EFFORTS *****
Good Morning to all and Merry Christmas to you and your families…
I am requesting that you consider yourselves on 24 hour standby for possible activation, and that you continue your preparation efforts at a somewhat higher intensity at this time. I will update again by 1800 local time. ARES folks in the areas mentioned in the areas of the high wind watch should be particularly watchful of the situation. Please refer to my earlier message (1754 12/24/02) for a discussion on some preparatory elements. I have also attached a text formatted copy of the frequency list, in response to requests from some of you last night.
National Weather is maintaining Winter Storm Warning for most of our area for a major winter storm. Additionally, a high wind advisory has now been issued confirming concerns last night for very strong winds commencing later today, and lasting through tonight and part of tomorrow. Additionally “blizzard like” conditions may exist meaning visibilities will be substantially reduced due to blowing and drifting snow, making driving very hazardous. Please note, however, that an official Blizzard Warning has NOT been issued. Other stringent criteria must be met first before NWS would issue one.
Several net controls have checked in, but more are needed. Please indicate your availability, especially if you have just returned from your travels/visits and are only becoming aware of the need now.
Enjoy the rest of your day! More later. Please watch for Rob’s weather/SKYWARN messages in the interim.
s/Michael P. Neilsen
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Pager: 1-800-759-8888 PIN 1155084
Admin: w1mpn (symbol for at) arrl.net
978-562-5662 Primary/Voice Mail
978-389-0558 FAX/ EFax Voice Mail
===== NWS Messages Follow ==========
WWUS71 KBOX 251033
NPWBOX
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
459 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002
MAZ007-015-016-019-022>024-251559-
BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-
EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-NANTUCKET MA-SUFFOLK MA-
459 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.
$$
DMH/GAF
WWUS41 KBOX 251124
WSWBOX
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
622 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>018-NHZ011-012-RIZ001>004-251651-
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-
622 AM EST WED DEC 25 2002
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT 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. 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.
==== End NWS Messages ========
1