Hello to all..

We have reached the 15 year anniversary of a historic day in Southern New England Weather History. The June 1st, 2011 Massachusetts Tornado Outbreak will be a day long remembered in weather history. This announcement recaps the tornado outbreak and the lessons learned that apply today. This message is leveraged from prior anniversary messages with a couple of updates.

The June 1st, 2011 event was forecasted by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman Oklahoma as far as 5 days out. This is very rare for New England to be in a convective outlook past 3 days. The outlook of ‘Slight Risk’ for severe weather would continue right up through June 1st. As we got into June 1st, a fast moving area of rapidly developing severe thunderstorms ahead of the warm front affected portions of Southern New Hampshire and Northeast Massachusetts producing large hail. These storms quickly moved out of area and were a sign of things to come and how explosive the atmosphere was on June 1st. Abundant sunshine and rapid heating and destabilization coupled with extremely strong wind shear values, set the stage for a historic major severe weather outbreak in Massachusetts and other parts of New England. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma issued a Mesoscale Convective Discussion highlighting the need for Tornado Watches for much of New York and New England. The Tornado Watches would be issued and supercell severe thunderstorms would move into Southern New England. It is notable that this event was utilized by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) as one of the events to support the creation of the “Enhanced Risk” severe weather category that was introduced in SPC Convective Outlooks on October 22nd, 2014.

Initially the supercells produced very large hail including hail slightly over 4″ in diameter in East Windsor Massachusetts, Berkshire County, which did indeed set the new record for the commonwealth as far as hail size but no tornadic or wind damage activity through 400 PM. This is when the supercell began to take shape in Western Hampden County Massachusetts and set the stage for the large, long track EF-3 Tornado that traversed the area from Westfield to Charlton Massachusetts for a 38-mile long damage path and was on the ground for 70 minutes. Three smaller tornadoes occurred in Western and Central Massachusetts from additional supercells moving through the area. Another area of supercells went through Northern Worcester County into Middlesex and Suffolk Counties producing Golf Ball Sized hail and pockets of wind damage all the way into the Metro Boston area.

June 1st, 2011 underscored how important Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters are to the warning process and how the timely severe weather reporting can not only help the warning process but can also help saves lives. The near real-time reporting of the large EF-3 tornado touchdown with initial preliminary reports in Westfield including from Al Giguere Jr.-KB1VNH, the actual spotting of the EF3 Tornado by several Amateurs including KB1NOX-Richard Stewart who was in a car with several other Amateurs, Western Massachusetts SKYWARN Coordinator, Ray-W1NWS, and the amazing remote webcam footage from WWLP-TV channel 22 in Springfield Massachusetts helped to tell people that not only was this a radar detected tornado but that it was definitely on the ground and doing significant damage. It is quite likely that many lives were saved by this near realtime reporting of the tornado being on the ground.

Amateur Radio SKYWARN Nets were active on several Amateur Radio Repeaters including the 146.940-Mount Tom Repeater run by the Mount Tom Amateur Radio Club and with Amateur Radio members and SKYWARN Spotters from the Hampden County Radio Association also reporting into the net. The 146.970-Paxton Repeater run by the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Club was active for several hours as well. Both repeaters providing significant near realtime reporting for situational awareness and disaster intelligence purposes not only to the National Weather Service but also to the media, local, state and federal emergency management officials. The Amateur Radio Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP)/Echolink system on the echolink conference *NEW-ENG* node 9123/IRLP 9123 was also active with liaisons from various Amateur Radio nets reporting into the network. While not in the NWS Boston/Norton (formerly Taunton) Coverage Area, the 146.910-Mount Greylock Repeater was active with Berkshire County SKYWARN as run by Rick-WA1ZHM with Walt-N1DQU providing information from the net into NWS. Net Controls for the 146.940 Mount Tom Net were Bob Meneguzzo-K1YO and for the 146.970 Paxton Net, John Ruggiero-N2YHK. N9SC-Steve Craven provided a critical liaison link from the 146.970-Paxton Repeater Net to the 146.940-Mount Tom Net during the tornadic outbreak. Many Amateur Radio Operators and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters reported severe weather conditions despite being at risk from these powerful supercells. We are forever grateful for the reporting that helped save lives. The outpouring of damage assessment pictures and videos and reports near and after the event was unprecedented. This clearly helped Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), local and state emergency management perform their duties to try and bring as many resources to bear on the significant path of destruction carved out by the tornado outbreak.

For the victims, today is likely a painful reminder of what occurred and what loses they faced in terms of property damage and possibly lives lost. Our thoughts and prayers remain to all those people that are affected and we hope that they have fully recovered and moved on with their lives after this tornado outbreak.

For those not impacted by such a significant event as June 1st and not impacted severely by other significant severe weather events that have occurred over the past decade, this is a reminder that we must all be prepared for these significant weather situations that occur at low frequency but can be with high impact. The more self-sufficient and prepared we are, the easier the situation will be if we are faced with such a significant scenario if it comes our way and potentially occurs in a more widespread way. For those SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators who have not witnessed such severe weather, this is why we train and prepare because we never know the hour or day where a critical severe weather report can help the warning process and save lives.

On a personal level, we never want severe weather like this to happen but if it has to happen, the level of commitment, support and reporting of the situation in near realtime on June 1st with a high level of precision and quality but also in the quantity that the reports came through in our network is a testament to all of you for remaining dedicated and supportive of the National Weather Service SKYWARN program. It is an honor and a privilege for myself and many of our Amateur Radio SKYWARN Coordinators across the NWS Boston/Norton Coverage Area to serve as leaders of the program and we appreciate everything you do, as without all of you, we wouldn’t have the SKYWARN program we have today in our region. Having been the leader of the program for over 29 years, this was our finest hour in supporting the NWS office and saving lives and it couldn’t have been done without all of your support.

Given the 14-year anniversary, here are some stories from SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and others from this day as collected from previous anniversaries:

Mike Rivers:
I chased that storm. Remember everything. Was a impressive weather day. Sad many lost a lot or all.

KB1MSJ-Bill Collins via WX1BOX Facebook Page:
I was in dispatch at MEMA that day constantly on the radios warning responders of the locations of these tornadoes.

Paul D Kaitz via WX1BOX Facebook Page:
I do remember this very well. Was working DCR fire control at the time.

Michelle Wright via WX1BOX Facebook Page:
A couple of family members were way too close to the tornado for comfort. I felt so helpless because I was unable to reach them to see if they were okay until two days later.

Steve Hooke – Norfolk County Task Force:
14 years ago today I responded to Brimfield with the Norfolk County Task Force to assist with search and rescue after the tornado hit. Only those who were there that night can really understand what we did and what we saw. The destruction was unimaginable. Those assigned to the task force that day have my ultimate respect.

Frank Cummings via the WX1BOX Facebook Page:
I visited a person in that area a few weeks after the storms. His house and property were essentially untouched. All that was left of his next door neighbor’s home was the foundation. and the devastation was widespread. The whole area looked like a game of Giant Pick Up Sticks – trees laying askew for as far as the eye could see and foundations left on lots stripped of almost vegetation. Terrible.

Gail Morrissey – Monson, MA – WX1BOX Twitter/Facebook Feed:
I live three houses down from a tilted one and was home when it hit. Not a fun experience. The upside down house, Judy and Doug’s, were up the street from me. I learned to be a weather spotter from you after this.

I was in Monson (still am) and was ‘in it.’ Lost my home and car in about 40 seconds. Crazy that I still remember every detail like it was yesterday.

Josh Adler – WX1BOX Twitter Feed:
Flew into these storms coming back from LAX to Logan. Single most turbulent flight I’ve ever been on. It was a wild ride!

Joe Sciacca – SKYWARN Spotter and Meteorologist for Precision Weather Forecasting, Inc.:
Here are my memories of June 1, 2011: I was a sophomore in high school at Austin Prep in Reading, MA. It was a Tuesday morning and I was on my way to school. Around 7:30 am I looked to the west and I saw huge overshooting cloud tops. I told my mom that today was going to be a dangerous severe weather day in Southern New England. Checking the radar before school started around 8, I saw a powerful line of thunderstorms in western New England moving east with hail reports. Little that I knew, that the hail was up to 4 inches in diameter. In my younger forecasting days, I had limited model data but the data that I had at the time indicated to me that this was going to be unusual setup. I saw alot of shear, a well mixed boundary layer, and high severe weather parameters. Around 10am or so, the line of thunderstorms moved into the Reading area and there was loud thunder and heavy rain. I checked the radar and satellite and saw clearing coming in from the west. When I saw the clearing sky, I upped my tornado threat to a 8/10 for central Southern New England. I told the kids in my class that a tornado will likely happen today in Western MA. They laughed and said “tornadoes don’t happen here”. As the afternoon went on, about 1 pm in my last class of the day I checked on the weather conditions in the region and I saw a tornado watch issued to our west I think in NY state. We had a entire afternoon of strong heating and destabilization of the atmosphere. Once school let out around 2 and on my way home closer to 3, I looked out to the west, and I saw massive cloud tops that I think were near 80 or so miles to my west from I-93 in Reading, MA. Once I got home, I tuned on the TV and then closer to 4, the tornado warnings started in western MA and it was several hours of live tornadoes on local TV stations like WHDH 7, NECN, WBZ, WCVB. At one point the EAS came on TV. That was insane for me who at the time was 16. It was impossible for me to do my homework that afternoon because of the severe weather and the excitement that I had of watching the TV meteorologist handle what was becoming a historic weather event locally. By time 10pm came, I remember the storms approached into Boston with a severe thundershower if I remember correctly. At this time I had to call it a day since I had school the next day.

Bob Yates – SKYWARN Spotter (Provided an additional photo from Brimfield from 6/1/11):
I volunteered for a few days delivering sandwiches and water from the church just after roads were cleared-

Eric Mikal Birkeland – SKYWARN Spotter:
The damage scar can still be seen by satellite after it snows.

Billy Doyle – SKYWARN Spotter:
I remember very well I was at Cracker Barrel in Sturbridge and a monson on call fire fighter was eating and his pager went off

Jeff Aborn – SKYWARN and Co-Op Observer – Provided Photos from the tornado path on the WX1BOX Tornado feed:
On the afternoon of June 1, 2011 an EF-3 tornado traveled 38 miles through parts of western & central Massachusetts. It caused damage in W Springfield, Monson, Brimfield, and Southbridge. Three lives were taken by the storm and 200 injuries. Jeff–Staffordville

We hope this remembrance makes people never forget what happened on June 1st 2011 and remind ourselves again that we must remain, prepared and vigilant especially here in New England where events such as June 1st can happen but on a low frequency basis. A June 1st 2011 video collage has been posted at our WX1BOX Video Youtube Channel with the direct link listed below as well as a June 1st 2011 tornado timeline video by SKYWARN Spotter Dan Butler. Also listed below is the NWS Massachusetts Tornado Summary, the NWS June 1st, 2011 Facebook Graphic, the ARRL Story on the June 1st Tornado Outbreak, the NWS Taunton June 1st Local Storm Report and the Raw Storm log from the WX1BOX Amateur Radio Station.

Amateur Radio SKYWARN Video – June 1st, 2011:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dBRGRQx9bI

Dan Butler SKYWARN Spotter – June 1st, 2011 – Springfield Massachusetts Tornado – Warning: Please note light profanity in this video as there are livewitness videos as part of the timeline:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvp7NGsxruE

NWS Boston/Norton June 1st, 2011 Facebook Graphics:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=326947176276952&set=a.237876368517367
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/June-1st-2011-Massachusetts-Tornado-Outbreak_2022_infographic.jpg

NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Reports 6/1/11:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lsr_6_1_11.txt

NWS Boston/Norton Public Information Statement – Tornado Classifications from 6/1/11:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PNS_Jun_1_2011_BOX_TOR.pdf

ARRL Story from 6/1/11 – Central Massachusetts Experiences Rare Tornado, Area Hams Hasten to Help:
https://www.arrl.org/news/central-massachusetts-experiences-rare-tornado-area-hams-hasten-to-help

NWS Boston/Norton-WX1BOX Raw Amateur Radio Storm Log:
https://wx1box.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/storm_reports.txt

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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
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Hello to all…

..Unusually strong upper level low pressure system will bring the potential for strong to damaging winds, possibility for thunderstorms that could enhance wind damage potential and produce hail, pockets of heavier rainfall and even the possibility of non-accumulating wet snow to the highest elevations of portions of interior Southern New England on Saturday..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect from 8 AM to 8 PM Saturday for Cape Cod and Nantucket for sustained winds of 25-35 MPH with gusts to 65 MPH expected. A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 8 AM to 8 PM Saturday for all of Rhode Island, Central and the remainder of Eastern Massachusetts for sustained winds of 20-35 MPH with gusts to 55 MPH expected. Isolated higher wind gusts are possible in the warning/advisory areas and these winds could cause scattered pockets of tree, wire damage and power outages..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible in the High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory areas and for any thunderstorm activity for stronger winds and hail, rainfall and any higher elevation wet snowfall reports on Saturday. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

A unusually strong upper level low pressure system will be bringing strong to damaging winds, thunderstorms that may enhance strong to damaging wind potential along with hail and even the potential for non-accumulating wet snow in the higher elevations of Southern New England. The headlines depict the current thinking. Key factors include:

1.) Ability of strong winds in the lowest level of the atmosphere to mix down to the surface.
2.) The position of the strongest winds. Currently the advisory and warnings as they are placed represent where the strongest winds will be and their coverage but this could slight a bit west or a bit east depending on the track of the upper level low.
3.) With an unusually dynamic upper level low for this time of year, will need to monitor for unexpected increases in strength of the winds, thunderstorm activity and perhaps even non-accumulating snow in the higher elevations of interior Southern New England.

SKYWARN Self-Activation likely with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible in the High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory areas and for any thunderstorm activity for stronger winds and hail, rainfall and any higher elevation wet snowfall reports on Saturday. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Intense Heat & Humidity will set the stage for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across portions of interior Southern New England Tuesday Afternoon into Tuesday Evening between 3-8 PM with perhaps a greater threat for severe thunderstorms over much of the region Wednesday Afternoon and evening between 2-8 PM as a strong cold front moves through the area Wednesday..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has continued most of Southern New England north and west of the I-95 corridor in a marginal risk for severe weather Tuesday and pretty much all of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather for Wednesday. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lighting and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8 PM Wednesday Evening for Providence, Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Northern Connecticut, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Hampshire, Eastern Hampden, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, North-Central Bristol and North-Central Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices of 96. Areas outside of the head advisory away from the coast will be hot and humid but below heat advisory criteria. All areas people working outdoors should drink plenty of liquids, take frequent breaks and people in the heat should seek cooler areas as needed..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets remain possible Tuesday Afternoon and Evening and Wednesday Afternoon and Evening for severe weather potential if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for a given area. Another coordination message on the Wednesday severe weather potential will be posted by 11 AM Wednesday AM. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Head Advisory Statement, Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-1 & Day-2 Convective Outlooks..

NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2026/day2otlk_20260519_1730.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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Intense Heat & Humidity will set the stage for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across portions of interior Southern New England Tuesday Afternoon into Tuesday Evening with perhaps a greater threat for severe thunderstorms over much of the region Wednesday Afternoon and evening as a strong cold front moves through the area..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed most of Southern New England north and west of the I-95 corridor in a marginal risk for severe weather Tuesday and pretty much all of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather for Wednesday. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lighting and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 AM Tuesday Morning to 8 PM Wednesday Evening for Providence, Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Northern Connecticut, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Hampshire, Eastern Hampden, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, North-Central Bristol and North-Central Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices of 96. Areas outside of the head advisory away from the coast will be hot and humid but below heat advisory criteria. All areas people working outdoors should drink plenty of liquids, take frequent breaks and people in the heat should seek cooler areas as needed..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are possible Tuesday Afternoon and Evening for severe weather potential if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for a given area. Another more complete coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Tuesday AM on the severe weather potential for Tuesday and Wednesday. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Head Advisory Statement, Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 & Day-3 Convective Outlooks..

NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2026/day2otlk_20260518_1730.html

SPC Day-3 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2026/day3otlk_20260518_1930.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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Strong Wind Gusts likely across portions of Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts late Tuesday AM to Tuesday Evening. Also, while the main threat for severe thunderstorms will be across Northern New England, an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm with strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall can’t be ruled out for portions of Northwest Massachusetts..
..A Wind Advisory is in effect from 12 PM to 10 PM Tuesday for Essex, Central and Southeast Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth Counties of Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island except Northwest Providence County RI and Block Island RI for sustained winds of 15-30 MPH with gusts up to 50 MPH. Areas outside of the Wind Advisory could see wind gusts around 40 MPH. These winds could cause isolated pockets of tree, wire damage and power outages..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the strong wind gusts and isolated wind damage potential across the entire area and any isolated severe weather potential for Northwest Massachusetts. This will be the only coordination message for this event unless a significant upgrade to the situation occurs and time allows for an update. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Wind Advisory Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Wind Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible in much of Southern New England now based on latest model trends with the greatest risk across Western and Northern Massachusetts through Northwest Connecticut between 2-10 PM ET Tuesday Afternoon and Evening..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western & Central Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut in an upgraded slight risk for severe weather with the rest of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. SPC has also stated a 60% chance of a watch for portions of the area per their latest Mesoscale Convective Discussion. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours with potential urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for any isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential after 2 PM Tuesday. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

The headlines depict the current thinking on severe weather potential for Tuesday PM and Evening across Southern New England. Key factors include:

1.) Forcing/trigger and that is sufficient or can be overcome by favorable instability and wind shear to allow for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm development.
2.) Overlap of the forcing/trigger near or shortly after the time for peak heating to allow for strong to severe thunderstorm development.
3.) Eastward and southward extent of the strong to severe thunderstorm potential based on key factors 1 and 2.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for any isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential after 2 PM Tuesday. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. This will be the last coordination message as we shift into operations mode. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook and SPC Mesoscale Convective Discussion:

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

SPC Mesoscale Convective Discussion:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0418.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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms are possible in Western Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut between 2-10 PM ET Tuesday Afternoon and Evening..
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western Massachusetts and Northwest Connecticut in a marginal risk for severe weather. Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours with potential urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible for any isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorm potential after 2 PM Tuesday. Pictures and videos of wind damage, hail, flooding etc. can be sent as a reply to this email, via our Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. Another more complete coordination message will be posted by 11 AM Tuesday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook..

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2026/day2otlk_20260413_1730.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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
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Hello to all…

Below are the details for the 2026 National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop information in Orlando Florida including YouTube livestream link info:

Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2026 National Hurricane Conference which will be held this year in Orlando, Florida (https://www.hurricanemeeting.com). This year, the workshop will be done both live at the conference and over livestream similar to 2025. The conference theme is to improve hurricane preparedness as it has been in past years. After the workshop is completed, the Amateur Radio Workshop will be uploaded to YouTube for those that can’t attend the sessions live. For 2026, all the Amateur Radio sessions will be on Tuesday March 31st, 2026 from 130 PM-315 PM EDT and from 330 PM-500 PM EDT. Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled the significant hurricanes over the past year. Here is the session breakdown:

NHC Session #1 – 130 PM-315 PM EDT: Bob Robichaud-VE1MBR from the Canadian Hurricane Centre will present on Hurricane Meteorological topics and a 2025 Hurricane Season review. He will also provide a brief overview of Canadian Hurricane Centre Operations. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will present a NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes. Julio Ripoll-WD4R will present WX4NHC Operations. KB5HAV-Bobby Graves will give an overview on the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN).

NHC Session #2: 330 PM-500 PM EDT: Rob Macedo-KD1CY will present on the VoIP Hurricane Net and best practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems, Bill Feist-WB8BZH & Joe Bassett-W1WCN will present a SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network) overview. Josh Johnston-KE5MHV will give an ARRL update. This will be followed by a Q & A session and raffle prizes will be offered.

Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and posted to YouTube after the workshop within the month of April. The Amateur Radio presentations will also be livestreamed via YouTube as a best effort. It is noted that Internet connectivity can be a challenge at hotel locations for livestreaming though it has been very robust in 2024-2025 so we expect 2026 to be no different. That said, we remind participants that we will do our best to livestream the workshop but please note technical difficulties could affect the livestream so please be patient if you watch the livestream and we will have recordings available post workshop. The YouTube livestream link will be https://www.youtube.com/live/k9aHwsliekU

2026 National Hurricane Conference Presenters and Moderator:
• Moderator: Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VoIP Hurricane Net
• Special guest speaker Brad Reinhart, Senior Hurricane Specialist, National Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, Canadian Hurricane Center
• Special guest speaker Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, Director of Emergency Management, ARRL HQ
• Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, Hurricane Watch Net – Net Manager
• Julio Ripoll, WD4R, WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Station Coordinator
• Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN, Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Radio Network
• Joe Bassett, W1WCN, Southern Territory Assistant SATERN Coordinator

Detailed Schedule Outline – All Times (Eastern Daylight Time):
130-135 PM: Opening Remarks
135-200 PM: Canadian Hurricane Centre and Hurricane Meteorological Topics (VE1MBR-Bob R)
200-210 PM: NHC Overview of Amateur Radio Collaboration During Hurricanes (NHC)
210-245 PM: WX4NHC Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (WD4R)
245-315 PM: HWN Overview (KB5HAV)
315-330 PM: Break
330-400 PM: VoIP Hurricane Net Overview & Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems (KD1CY)
400-420 PM: SATERN – Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network Overview (WB8BZH & W1WCN)
420-440 PM: ARRL Update (KE5MHV)
440-500 PM: Moderated Q & A session/Panel Discussion & Door Prizes (All)

We hope folks can attend the conference live and in person for those in and around the Orlando FL area or attending the conference and that those outside of the area can participate in the livestream. For those can’t see it live, the workshop video will be posted online via YouTube within a week or two after the conference if not sooner. Thanks to all for their support of Amateur Radio and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Hello to all…

..Strong storm system ongoing through late Monday Night with the worst of the conditions Monday Night will have the potential for strong to damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall of 1-3″ with isolated amounts of 3-4″ and minor river/stream/urban flooding potential. Widespread rainfall amounts between 0.25″-1.50″ have occurred so far with the highest amounts in Southeast New England with wind gusts between 40-50 MPH. The strongest winds and heaviest rainfall will occur tonight into the overnight hours of Monday Night into early Tuesday Morning..
..A High Wind Warning is now in effect from 5 PM Monday Afternoon through 6 AM Tuesday Morning for Rhode Island and all of Eastern Massachusetts for sustained winds 20-30 MPH with gusts to 65 MPH and isolated higher wind gusts to 70 MPH possible. A Wind Advisory is now in effect from 2 PM Monday Afternoon to 8 AM Tuesday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Western and Central Massachusetts for sustained winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts to 55 MPH and isolated higher wind gusts possible. These winds will have the potential for scattered pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages..
..A Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire NWS Norton MA Coverage area except for the islands for heavy rainfall of 1-3″ with isolated higher amounts of 3-4″ causing potential flooding of small rivers, streams, creeks and urbanized areas after recent snowmelt..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible will monitor for wind gusts 40 MPH or greater, wind damage, rain gauge reports and minor river/stream/urban flooding potential. Amateur Radio Net call-ups will be as needed on various Amateur Radio frequencies after 5 PM Monday Evening through late tonight with possibly a net or two early Tuesday Morning to collect final rain gauge totals, flooding, wind damage/measured wind gust 40 MPH and greater reports..
..Pictures/videos of the storm can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated..

The headlines depict the current thinking for a strong storm system on Monday with the worst conditions Monday Evening. Key factors remain with slight updates as listed below:
1.) A small temperature difference of 1-3 degrees will determine how strong and widespread the wind gusts are and how widespread the wind damage will be. Models seem to be indicating a higher end event with warmer temperatures with the damaging wind potential and models indicating wind gusts 60-65 MPH with isolated higher gusts to 70 MPH that will bear watching and High Wind Warnings are posted with a slight increase in max wind gusts noted for Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Across Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut, wind gusts have also been increased to high-end Wind Advisory criteria.
2.) Another factor that will impact the wind damage potential is any thunderstorm activity that can develop and be strong enough to efficiently bring strong to damaging winds down to the surface. Just heavier convective showers resulted in wind gusts of 40-50 MPH with isolated higher gusts and isolated pockets of wind damage Monday Morning. With stronger convection and winds later tonight, the wind damage potential will increase in any heavier convective showers and thunderstorms.
3.) How widespread heavy rainfall will be to cause minor flooding of rivers, streams and urban areas along with any ice jams causing issues with flooding. An ice jam on the Millers River in Athol, MA has cleared up per a SKYWARN Spotter but a new ice jam has developed on the Connecticut River at the Turners Falls dam and will be monitored for any flood potential if the heaviest rain develops in that area. Rainfall amounts have also crept up a bit in the forecast models prompting a Flood Watch to be posted for all of Southern New England except for the islands. Widespread rainfall of 0.25″-1.50″ with the highest amounts in Southeast New England have already been reported.

SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets possible will monitor for wind gusts 40 MPH or greater, wind damage, rain gauge reports and minor river/stream/urban flooding potential. Amateur Radio Net call-ups will be as needed on various Amateur Radio frequencies after 5 PM Monday Evening through late tonight with possibly a net or two early Tuesday Morning to collect final rain gauge totals, flooding, wind damage/measured wind gust 40 MPH and greater reports. Pictures/videos of the storm can be sent as a reply to this message via our WX1BOX Facebook/X/Bluesky feeds or to the email address pics@nsradio.org with credit given to the spotter unless otherwise indicated. This will be the last coordination message as we continue in operations mode. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement, Flood Watch Statement, Area Forecast Discussion and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook.

NWS Boston/Norton High Wind Warning/Wind Advisory Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=NPW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Flood Watch Statement:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=FFA&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio