SKYWARN Newsletter #212

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Hello to all...

Newsletter Dedicated to SKYWARN Activation Reports...

SKYWARN Activation Report for July 18th, 2003...

SKYWARN Activation Report for July 21st, 2003...

SKYWARN Activation Report for July 23rd, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 3rd, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 6th, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 8th, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 10th, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 11th, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 12th, 2003...

SKYWARN Activation Report for August 13th, 2003...

SKYWARN Activation Report for August 22nd, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for September 23rd, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for September 28th, 2003...

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for September 29th, 2003...

Additional Web Weather Links on the Aftermath of Hurricane Isabel...

Hams Thanked for Efforts During Hurricane Isabel...

Hurricane Juan Causes Significant Damage in Nova Scotia Canada...

***Newsletter Issued 1/18/04.

Newsletter Dedicated to SKYWARN Activation Reports...

This Newsletter is dedicated to SKYWARN Activation Reports from July

through September over the NWS Taunton County Warning Area. It also

features past articles on Hurricane Isabel and a past article on

Hurricane Juan which impacted Nova Scotia Canada as a Category II

Hurricane.

SKYWARN Activation Report for July 18th, 2003...

SKYWARN was activated on July 18th, 2003 as thunderstorms grew to

near severe limits across parts of Northeast CT, Northern RI, and

Southeast Massachusetts.

The activation began around 1 PM in Northeast CT. Jim McBride, KD1LD,

activated SKYWARN on the 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater. 3/8" hail

was reported in Putnam, CT at 1:15 PM. A public report of Nickel Sized

Hail was received at the same time as the 3/8" hail report via Amateur

Radio. As the thunderstorm raced eastward, 40 MPH winds were estimated

in Cumberland, RI at 1:40 PM. Also in Uxbridge, Mass. at 2:10 PM, a

house fire caused by lightning occurred. Houses were also struck by

lightning causing a house fire on the Malden-Everett town line and in

Beverly, Mass. as SKYWARN was activated on the North Shore as

thunderstorms intensified in this area. No severe weather was reported.

Thunderstorms that moved through Northeast Connecticut and Northern

Rhode Island then reached the South Shore of Massachusetts. The

thunderstorms were strong but did not reach severe criteria. In

Scituate, Mass, winds gusted just short of the 40 MPH reporting

criteria at 2:10 PM. In Whitman, Mass., small limbs and wires were

knocked down as thunderstorms moved through the area around 2:25 PM.

SKYWARN was active on the 147.18-Bridgewater Repeater and the 145.39-

Scituate Repeater.

The SKYWARN activation ended at around 3 PM. Special thanks to all Ham

Coordinators and Spotters who assisted in this activation.

SKYWARN Activation Report for July 21st, 2003...

On July 21st, 2003, two significant Mesoscale Convective Systems

caused significant severe weather in Eastern New York. The second

of the 2 MCS systems made into the extreme western parts of the

NWS Taunton County Warning Area causing isolated severe weather.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was posted for Southern New Hampshire,

Western and Central Massachusetts, and Northern Connecticut until

1 AM. SKYWARN was activated at approximately 8 PM. The IRLP link was

established from the 145.39-Scituate, Mass. Repeater to the

147.105-Wilbraham Repeater using an IRLP reflector.

At 8:35 PM, earlier reports of significant damage in Catskill, New

York were received including a report that people were trapped in

one home that was severely damaged. The Convective System at that

time was near Berkshire County and reports of hail and wind damage

were received as Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were posted for

Berkshire County Massachusetts.

At 8:56 PM, Pea Sized hail was reported in Richmond, Mass. At 9:06

PM in Kinderhook, New York, rotation was noted in the storm. In

Pittsfield, Mass at 9:10 PM numerous reports of trees and wires

down were received along with power outages in Savoy, Mass along

Route 118 at 9:18 PM. In Loudonville, New York, 4" Diameter Limbs

were blown down at 9:28 PM. Meantime, in Palenville, New York at

9:36 PM, reports of trailers being flipped over and numerous trees

and wires down were received. The storms further south in Eastern

New York were poised to move into Litchfield County, Connecticut while

the storms in Berkshire County were poised to race into Franklin County

Massachusetts. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were posted for Franklin

County Massachusetts and Litchfield County, Connecticut. In Connecticut

at 9:26 PM, reports of trees and wires down at routes 4 and 7 in

Cornwall, CT were received and two reports of 2 trees down were

received in Falls Village and Kent, CT. All reports were received via

the 146.91 Mount Greylock Repeater and the 145.37 Torrington, CT

Repeater through the IRLP linked system via Ray-KA1JJM, Eric-N1QKO and

Jim-N1VMH for Western Mass. reports and W1RWC-Dick for Western CT

reports.

At 9:30 PM, Large Limbs were down in Charlemont, Mass and at 9:35 PM,

trees and wires down were reported in Heath Mass. These reports came

through the significant efforts of Jay-KB1HBS and Scott-KB1FFT who

traveled into the areas impacted by the thunderstorms that are

severe and found the damage. SKYWARN was active on the 146.985-

Greenfield Repeater. These reports were received through the

IRLP linked system via Jim-N1VMH who was running the net on the

Greenfield Repeater.

As the storms continued to move eastward, they weakened rapidly as

the storms hit a very strong marine layer that was over much of

Southern New England. The storms from this day resulted in the only

Significant Severe Weather Outbreak in Eastern New York and Southern

Vermont. Several tornadoes were reported along with significant wind

damage and large hail. Luckily, the storms weakened as they moved into

the NWS Taunton County Warning Area resulting in only isolated wind

damage reports.

The SKYWARN Activation was secured around 11 PM. Special thanks to all

who assisted in this SKYWARN activation.

SKYWARN Activation Report for July 23rd, 2003...

SKYWARN was activated formally on July 23rd as scattered severe

thunderstorms occurred across the area. NWS Taunton Ops began at

5:30 PM after self-activation began at 4:30 PM. The storms started

becoming severe in Southern Worcester County where a Severe

Thunderstorm Warning was issued. Trees and Wires were blown down in

Dudley, Massachusetts at 4:43 PM with 3" Diameter Limbs knocked down

at 4:50 PM and additional 3" diameter limbs knocked down in Milford,

Massachusetts. SKYWARN was active on the 146.97-Paxton Repeater.

Reports came in from NE1R-Tom and N1PJ-PJ with numerous other Amateurs

on frequency providing assistance.

New storms fired up in Northeast Connecticut with SKYWARN activating

in Connecticut on the 147.000 Soapstone and 147.225 Killingly CT

Repeaters through the efforts of KD1LD-Jim McBride and K1PZS-Harvey

Broverman. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were posted for Windham County

CT, Southern Worcester County Mass. and Northwest Providence County

RI. Dime Sized Hail was reported in Putnam, CT at 5:58 PM with Wires

Down in Ashford, CT at 6 PM and Large Limbs blown down in 6:10 PM in

Putnam, CT. All reports were received via the 147.225-Killingly CT

Repeater.

Storms continued to weaken below severe thresholds and the activation

was secured at approximately 7:15 PM. Special thanks to all Spotters

and Coordinators who assisted in this SKYWARN Activation.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 3rd, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated on August 3rd, 2003 as thunderstorms grew

to strong characteristics over parts of Northeast and North-Central

Massachusetts. For this event, the activation was carried out from

the Southeast Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association Club House in

South Dartmouth under the call sign W1AEC.

SKYWARN was active on the 146.64 Waltham and 146.97 Paxton Repeaters.

Bill Ricker-N1VUX was monitoring the Waltham Repeater during this event.

One small street sign was blown down at 4:10 PM in Worcester, Mass.

A House was struck by lightning in Newton, Mass. at 4:20 PM with a

church struck by lightning at 4:29 PM in Marlborough, Mass. In Acton,

Mass, 35-40 MPH estimated winds were reported as the thunderstorms

moved through.

Thunderstorms were monitored for another 60-90 minutes as they

gradually weakened in Northeast Massachusetts. The SKYWARN

Self-Activation was secured at approximately 6 PM. Special thanks

to all spotters and coordinators who assisted in this activation.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 6th, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated on August 6th, 2003 as Severe Thunderstorms

and Flash Flooding occurred in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. A

Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued twice for the area from

a period from around 4:40 PM to 6 PM. A Flash Flood Warning was

then issued through late evening for the area.

SKYWARN was self-activated on the 146.805-Keene, NH Repeater by

WA1YZN-Bruce Bohannon and KC5WXC-Wayne Helms. A lightning strike to

a barn occurred at 4:30 PM with a lightning strike to a house at

4:40 PM in Chesterfield and Walpole, NH respectively. At 4:50 PM,

3/8" Hail occurred in Westmoreland, NH along with 3" Diameter Limbs

knocked down. At 5:05 PM, 8-10" diameter trees and wires were blown

down. In Surry NH at 5:15 and 5:28 PM, 1/4-1/2" hail lasted 5 minutes

as thunderstorms continued to back build and train over the same

areas. At 5:58 PM, trees and wires were blown down in Walpole, NH.

After 6 PM, the event turned into a significant flash flood situation.

At 6:25 PM, a car was trapped in flood waters on Route 63 as Spofford

Lake overflowed its banks. A flooded basement was reported in Surry,

NH at 6:38 PM. Also at 6:38 PM, Pond Road was washed out in Surry,

NH along with part of a homeowner's driveway. At 6:50 PM in

Westmoreland, NH, Mill Brook went out of its banks and approached

a house. The brook then flooded into the house at 7:18 PM. Route 12

was flooded and significantly washed out at 7:15 PM.

The SKYWARN Net was dropped down to informal status after the rains

stopped over the area. Flooding however continued with 6 roads closed

including routes 12 and 63 and several homes were evacuated as of 8:50

PM that evening.

This started a series of activations for flooding in Cheshire County

New Hampshire particularly in the Westmoreland and Surry, NH area. The

flash floods resulted in several hundred thousand dollars of damage

to major routes in Cheshire County and requests for FEMA assistance.

Special thanks to the spotters and coordinators who assisted in this

self-activation of SKYWARN.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 8th, 2003...

Flash flooding made its way to the South Shore of Massachusetts

and parts of Rhode Island and SKYWARN was self-activated shortly

after daybreak.

SKYWARN was activated in Rhode Island for possible flash flooding.

SKYWARN was self-activated in Rhode Island on the 146.76-Scituate

RI Repeater. At 5:30 AM, Routes 117 and 116 intersection was flooded

out with 3-4 feet of water for a 40 minute period per KE1GL-Ralph

Nahigian. 2-3" of rain fell in a short period in Rhode Island as

well as Southeast Massachusetts with isolated higher amounts.

Across Southeast Massachusetts, flash flooding occurred and SKYWARN

was active on the 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater. Carl Aveni-N1FY

and Roy Logan-KB1CYV along with several SKYWARN Spotters gave

reports in Southeast Massachusetts. Significant street

flooding occurred at 7:29 AM on Flag Street and Route 104 in the

vicinity of North Street. In Taunton, Massachusetts, Route 140

by the Taunton Galleria Mall was barely passable and significantly

flooded. At 8:25 AM, Snow Brook flooded Vernon, Spruce, Cobb and

Curve streets. In Whitman, Massachusetts, 4.5" of rain fell for the

event with much of the rain coming in a 2-3 hour period. In East

Raynham, Massachusetts, 5.5" of rain fell with at least 3-4" of

the rain occurring in a 2-3 hour period.

SKYWARN was secured at 1 PM as the rain stopped and flooding reports

were no longer received. Special thanks to SKYWARN Spotters and

Coordinators in Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island for their

flash flooding reports for this event.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 10th, 2003...

For what was the second time in 4 days, flash flooding struck hard hit

areas of Cheshire County New Hampshire and SKYWARN was self-activated

over this area through the efforts of W1NAC-Dan Clark and WA1YZN-Bruce

Bohannon. The 146.805-Keene, NH Repeater was active and the 443.350

Pack Monadnock Repeater was utilized for liaison along with 3945 KHz

on 75 Meters HF. During this SKYWARN Self-Activation, the W1AEC,

Southeast Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association Club station was

utilized. Thunderstorms trained over the same area for a 3 hour period

causing repeated flash flooding in already hard hit areas.

At 4:15 PM, Route 9 was flooded in Keene, NH, 2 houses were evacuated

in Westmoreland, NH and basements were flooded in Chesterfield, NH.

In Surry, NH at 4:50 PM, Old Walpole Road was closed due to flooding.

Also at 4:50 PM Route 12A, Route 10 and Jocylen Road in Gilsum, NH

was closed. At 5:20 PM in Surry, NH, Pond Road was closed due to

flooding.

From the SEMARA Club, spotty contact was made to Keene, NH Repeater,

somewhat more solid copy was made via the Pack Monadnock Repeater

and the most solid copy was made on 75 Meters HF using 3945 KHz.

Special thanks to all Spotters and Coordinators who assisted with this

event in Cheshire County, NH.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 11th, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated on August 11th for flash flooding in Western

Massachusetts. Ray Weber-KA1JJM activated SKYWARN for flooding in

Western Hampshire County. Reports at 6 PM of highway's 9, 143, and

the intersection of Routes 112 and 143 in the towns of Worthington,

Cummington and Chesterfield, Mass. were closed due to flooding. No

other reports of flash flooding or problems occurred as this was a

localized event.

Special thanks to all those who assisted in this SKYWARN

Self-Activation.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for August 12th, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated for flash flooding in Western and Central

Massachusetts. In Southwick, Mass, Cooley Pond overflowed causing Water

Street to be closed from flooding. SKYWARN was active on the

146.94-Mount Tom Repeater through the efforts of KA1JJM-Ray Weber.

Reports of flash flooding were received in Westboro, Mass.

at 7:10 PM where 1 foot of water was in the road on Route 9 with the

road barely passable. At 7:15 PM, on Kendall Drive in Northboro,

Mass, a car was stuck in flood waters. At 7:20 PM, 1 foot of flood

waters were in the intersection of Route 135 and Route 9 in Northboro

was flooded out and impassable. Also the Picadilly Creek Overflowed

on to a road way in Westboro at 8:25 PM and in Rutland, Mass at 9 PM,

a stream was overflowing on to Glenwood drive with road closures.

SKYWARN was active on the 146.97-Paxton Repeater with NE1R-Tom Carrigan

assisting in the activation.

SKYWARN was secured at 9:30 PM that evening. Special thanks to all

SKYWARN Spotters and Coordinators who assisted in this activation.

SKYWARN Activation Report for August 13th, 2003...

SKYWARN was activated on August 13th as a Severe Thunderstorm and

Flash Flood event impacted portions of Southern New England. SKYWARN

was activated around 2:30 PM and strong to severe thunderstorms began

firing across portions of Southern New England with the strongest

activity in Northeast Massachusetts.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was posted until 3:45 PM and SKYWARN

was activated on the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and the 145.47-Danvers

Repeater. At 3:05 PM, hail of unknown size fell in Westford, Mass

with small twigs, leaves and branches down in Littleton, Mass. At

3:26 PM, Pea Sized hail fell for 10-15 minutes in Woburn, Mass

per KB1FX-Mike. At 3:40 PM, Trees and Wires were reported down

in Woburn, Mass. with three tree down in Burlington, Mass, one of

the trees destroyed a shed and the other tree fell on a house. These

reports were from KB1FX-Mike and N1FWV-Jeff Arnold. Jeff was running

a SKYWARN Net on the 145.47 Danvers Repeater while the net was being

ran on the 146.64-Waltham Repeater.

While this warning was being handled, a Flash Flood Warning was issued

for Cheshire County, NH and SKYWARN was activated on the Keene, NH

Repeater. Liaison to that net was maintained on the 146.64-Waltham

Repeater through W1NAC-Dan Clark. No reports of flash flooding were

received in Southwest New Hampshire.

The Severe Thunderstorm that affected portions of Middlesex County

Massachusetts moved into the North Shore and weakened. The storm did

knock down small branches in Peabody on Pine Street at 4:05 PM and

resulted in a few lightning strikes on buildings.

Thunderstorms began to organize in Southeastern Massachusetts and

a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Eastern Plymouth County.

5" Diameter branches were blown down in Hanson, Mass. at 5:25 PM with

2 houses struck by lightning in Plymouth at 6:01 PM. Pea Sized Hail

fell in Plymouth for a 10 minute period between 5:50 and 6:00 PM. A

Flash Flood Warning was then issued for Eastern Plymouth County. Water

was up to the car doors of vehicles on numerous streets in Plymouth

at 5:46 PM. A House fire was caused by lightning at 6:20 PM in

Marshfield, Mass. In Duxbury, Mass. at 5:45 PM, 1" Hail was reported.

SKYWARN was active on the 147.18-Bridgewater Repeater and 145.39-Scituate

Repeater. Also the 447.075-Kingston Repeater was utilized during this

event.

Thunderstorms built back across Rhode Island and Bristol County

Massachusetts. At 7:05 PM, power outages were reported on the Douglas

Pike in Smithfield, RI. A lightning strike took down wires in Tiverton,

RI at 7:15 PM. Power Outages and minor street flooding also occur in

Lincoln, North Scituate and North Smithfield, RI between 7:05 and 7:15

PM as SKYWARN was active on the 146.76-Scituate RI Repeater with

N1EGS-John Buco, N1JMA-Martin Mendelson, KE1GL-Ralph Nahigian and

WX1USA-Eddie Cayer.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was posted for Southeastern Bristol County

Massachusetts until 7:45 PM including the Fall River, Mass. Area.

Through extensive efforts from Mike Leger-N1YLQ, 2" branches were

down on Lincoln Street and also on Blanding Hill Road in Seekonk, Mass.

This occurred around 7:20 PM. Small Branches were also down in Swansea,

Mass at 7:30 PM.

A Flash Flood Warning was also issued for Southeastern Bristol County

until 10:30 PM. At 8:28 PM, 2 feet of water covered the road on Route

138 flooding the road and at Route 138 and Buffington Street the

Buffington River flooded the region. At 8:40 PM in Somerset, Mass.,

the intersection of County Road and Route 138 was flooded. At 8:55 PM,

several cars were stuck on Airport Road due to flash flooding. These

reports were received via the 146.76-Scituate, RI Repeater and the

145.15-Fall River Repeater.

Meantime, in Central Rhode Island, wind damage was reported by strong

thunderstorms that when they collapsed caused damage with flash flooding

also reported. At 7:15 PM in Smithfield, RI, a tree and large branches

were downed on Barnes Street. In West Greenwich, RI, South Road

was impassable due to flooding at 8:20 PM with 2" limbs and an

8" tree down in East Greenwich, RI. In West Greenwich, RI at 8:20 PM,

2 trees and wires were down on Oak Ridge Road. These reports came

from the 146.76-Scituate RI Repeater where SKYWARN continued to be

active.

SKYWARN was secured at 10:30 PM after the Flash Flood Warning had

expired. Special Thanks to all those who reported and assisted in this

SKYWARN Activation.

SKYWARN Activation Report for August 16th, 2003...

SKYWARN was activated on August 16th as a marginal severe weather

event unfolded across the region. SKYWARN was activated at 2:30 PM

with Ops at NWS Taunton and the IRLP link to the Wilbraham Repeater

was setup through the 145.39-Scituate, Mass. Repeater.

A report came in via the spotter line from Northampton, Mass. of 2

trees down. A report then came in via Amateur Radio of 4-5" limbs

down in Northampton, Mass. This prompted a Severe Thunderstorm Warning

to be issued for Central Hampden and Southeast Hampshire Counties of

Western Massachusetts. At 3:25 PM, 5-6" Diameter Limbs were blown down

in Holyoke, Massachusetts. SKYWARN was active on the 146.94-Mount Tom

Repeater through the efforts of Eric Tuller-N1QKO and Ray Weber-KA1JJM

and numerous spotters who reported into Eric and Ray.

Activity continued in Western Massachusetts. Dime Sized Hail was

reported in Westfield, Mass. at 4:20 PM. This prompted the issuance

of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:45 PM for Central Hampden

County. Another report came in from Westfield, Massachusetts of Dime

to Nickel Sized Hail that occurred from 4:25-4:30 PM. At 4:43 PM,

a wind gust to 37 Knots was measured in Springfield, Massachusetts.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Northern Cheshire and

Northwest Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire until 4:45 PM.

SKYWARN was active in both Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties. Liaison

was maintained with Cheshire County through the 147.105-Wilbraham

Repeater and liaison was maintained with Hillsborough County through

the 443.350-Pack Monadnock Repeater. No reports of severe weather were

received in this area despite several Hams on frequency and

monitoring of various public safety paths in the affected area.

Thunderstorms continued to develop in Northern Connecticut. In Eastern

Litchfield County CT, Severe Thunderstorms began to develop with

Dime Sized Hail reported in Torrington CT at 4:44 PM. That storm

remained stationary and did not move into Hartford County CT. Meantime,

a new Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Southeast Hampden

County Mass. and Northeast Hartford County CT. Nickel Sized Hail

lasting 2 minutes occurred in Agawam, Mass at 5:05 PM with Dime Sized

Hail in Enfield, CT at 5:10 PM.

Another Severe Thunderstorm refired in Eastern Litchfield County, CT

with Dime Sized Hail reported once again in Torrington, CT at 5:27 PM.

This prompted the issuance of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for West

Central Hartford County CT until 6 PM. In Avon, CT at 5:33 PM, Pea

to 1/2" Sized Hail occurred and it later grew to Dime Sized Hail in

Avon, CT. This storm then weakened as it continued eastward. A

Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Northern Tolland County

CT but no reports of Severe Weather was received. SKYWARN was active

on the 147.000-Soapstone Repeater through the efforts of Roger

Jeanfaivre-K1PAI.

Strong Thunderstorms fired in Southern New Hampshire. In Brookline,

NH, 1/8-1/4" hail was reported at 6:15 PM with 1/8" hail reported in

Mason, NH. Wires were knocked down by lightning in Greenville, NH

at 6:25 PM. Reports came via the 443.350-Pack Monadnock Repeater.

Thunderstorms then fired in Southeast Massachusetts with estimated

wind gusts of 30-35 MPH reported in Foxboro, Mass. by KB1GHX-Glenn

Field, Warning Coordination Meteorologist from NWS Taunton. Estimated

30 MPH winds also occurred in Abington, Massachusetts.

The formal activation of SKYWARN was secured, however, new cells fired

up along the East Coast of Massachusetts in the Duxbury, Plymouth

area and another Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Northeastern

Plymouth County until 9:15 PM. Several trees were blown down in Duxbury

with one tree falling on a truck. The trees were 10-24 inches in

diameter with 1" hail also occurring as well.

Strong Thunderstorms then refired along Cape Cod with several reports

of Pea Sized Hail and winds to near 40 MPH. At 11:54 PM in Chatham,

Mass, Pea Sized Hail occurred with wind gusts to 39 MPH. New Storms

fired in Central Barnstable County Massachusetts with Pea Sized Hail

and wind gusts to 37 MPH at 12:14 AM and Pea Sized Hail in Mashpee,

Mass. at 12:19 AM. SKYWARN was active on the 146.955-Barnstable

Repeater through the efforts of WQ1O-Frank O'Laughlin and WA1KCC-Jim

Bradbury.

SKYWARN was secured from both self and formal activation at 12:45 AM.

Special thanks to all Spotters and Coordinators who assisted in this

SKYWARN Activation.

SKYWARN Activation Report for August 22nd, 2003...

SKYWARN was activated on Friday August 22nd as a Severe Thunderstorm

Watch was posted for much of Southern New England except for Cape

Cod and the Islands. The activation began at 2 PM with NWS Taunton

Operations active with N1FY-Carl Aveni and I working the operations.

The IRLP link was activated between the 145.39-Scituate Repeater

and the 147.105-Wilbraham Repeater using an IRLP reflector. KA1JJM-Ray

Weber and N1QKO-Eric Tuller were manning the Mount Greylock, Mount Tom

Repeaters with WB1EHD-Dennis manning the 145.13-Amherst and 146.985-

Greenfield Repeaters.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Berkshire County

Massachusetts. In South Hancock, Mass., estimated winds of 30 MPH

occurred and in Peru, Massachusetts, winds estimated at 40-50 MPH

occurred as strong thunderstorms moved through the area. No severe

reports were received in Berkshire County.

Thunderstorms began to move through North-Central Massachusetts and

began to pick up steam. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for

Northern and West-Central Worcester County, Southeast Franklin County

and East-Central Hampshire County Massachusetts until 5 PM. At 4:25 PM,

Dime-Nickel Sized Hail occurred in New Salem Massachusetts. A tree

was blown down in Petersham, Massachusetts at 4:35 PM. SKYWARN became

active on the 145.37-Templeton Repeater and the 146.97-Paxton Repeater

as thunderstorms organized and became severe over Worcester County.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Northern Middlesex County

Mass. and Southern Hillsborough County, New Hampshire until 5:45 PM.

SKYWARN was activated on the 146.64-Waltham and 443.350-Pack Monadnock

Repeaters. In Littleton, Mass, a 44 MPH measured wind gust occurred at

5:35 PM with 2" Diameter Limbs down in North Chelmsford, Mass. at the

same time and Pea Sized Hail in Westford, Mass at 5:38 PM. These

reports were from the 146.64-Waltham Repeater.

Another Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for East-Central

Worcester and Central Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts until 6 PM.

At 5:25 PM, 1/4-1/2" Hail occurred in Berlin, Mass. Reports of leaves

blown down came in from Boylston and Worcester, Mass also at 5:25 PM.

Leaves were also blown down at 5:30 PM in Clinton, Mass. At 5:40 PM,

in Fitchburg, Mass, several lightning strikes to buildings were reported.

At 541 PM, Small Branches were blown down with 1/8" hail in Berlin,

Mass and at 5:42 PM Branches up to 2" diameter in were blown down.

Pea Sized Hail occurred in Shrewsbury at 5:43 PM with Pea Sized Hail

also reported in Westford. Leaves were blown down in Shrewsbury,

Mass and Grafton, Mass. at 5:49 PM. Pea Sized Hail was again reported

in Worcester and Shrewsbury, Mass at 5:50 and 5:51 PM. Dime Sized Hail

was then reported in Worcester, Mass. at 5:54 and 5:55 PM by two

different spotters. In Northboro Mass., 3-4" limbs were blown down

at 5:59 PM. Pea Sized hail was then reported at 6 PM in Auburn Mass.

with 1/2" hail reported in Shrewsbury also at 6 PM. All of these

reports streamed in from the 146.97-Paxton Repeater.

A new Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Southeast Worcester,

Southeast Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk Counties of Massachusetts

until 7 PM and a continuous stream of reportable and severe criteria

reporting continued from multiple repeaters. Also, a Flash Flood Warning

was issued until 8:30 PM for Southeast Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk

Counties of Massachusetts as well. In Worcester, Shrewsbury,

Marlboro and the Auburn-Groton, Mass. Area, 1/4-1/2" hail was reported.

At 5:52 PM, Trees were blown down on Route 110 in Westford. At 6:06 PM,

there was flooding of up to 2 feet on Route 9 with 3-4" diameter limbs

down in Shrewsbury, Mass.

At 6:08 PM, 1/2" hail was reported along with paneling ripped off

a temporary building or shed due to wind. The hail reduced in size

in Grafton, Mass to 1/8" at 6:09 PM. In Hopkinton, Mass., 2" Diameter

limbs were blown down. Pea Sized hail was reported in

Northbridge at 6:16 PM. At 6:20 PM, 3/4" limbs were blown down in

Grafton, Mass. At 6:21 PM, 3/4" limbs were blown down with pea sized

hail in Uxbridge, Mass. at 6:22 PM. At 6:23 PM, 1/2" hail occurred in

Hopkinton, Mass with large trees blown down in Marlboro at 6:24 PM. At

6:32 PM, 1" diameter limbs were blown down in Hopedale, Mass.

All reports came in via the 146.97-Paxton and 146.64-Waltham Repeaters.

At 6:35 PM, 1/2" hail was reported in North Uxbridge, Mass with 1/4"

hail in Upton, Mass as well. 1/8" Hail was reported in Hopedale, Mass

at 6:36 PM with 1/8" hail reported in Mendon, Mass. at 6:45 PM. At

6:40 PM, a phone pole and 3 trees were blown down on Broad Middle

Road in Lincoln, Mass. Several reports of lightning strikes were also

received in the Danvers and Beverly, Mass. area as SKYWARN was active

on the 145.47-Danvers Repeater.

The 146.76-Scituate RI Repeater along with the 147.195-Attleboro,

147.18-Bridgewater, 145.49-Fairhaven and 147.225-Killingly CT Repeaters

got active as Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for Northeast

Providence County RI, Southern Norfolk, Northern Bristol and Northern

Plymouth Counties of Mass. Trees and Wires were blown down in Blackstone

Mass but no other severe reports or flooding reports were received. A

Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Western Kent County RI

and Southeast Windham County in CT but no severe reports were

received. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Southern

Bristol County, Mass. until 9:30 PM but no severe reports were

received for this warning either. SKYWARN was active on the various

repeaters through the efforts of KB1DGY-Bernie Dubb, KE1GL-Ralph

Nahigian, N1EGS-John Buco, N1JMA-Martin Mendelson, N1YLQ-Mike Leger,

N1XRS-Tony Duarte and KB1CHQ-Mike Reale along with numerous spotters

giving reports from the area. SKYWARN was also active on the

146.895-Walpole Repeater through the efforts of Dave Doe-K1HRV and

Roger Turner-W1ZSA. No severe weather reports were received but

some lightning damage reports were received both on the Walpole

Repeater and on the 146.76-Scituate, RI Repeater.

Special thanks to all those who assisted in this SKYWARN Activation

which was biggest of the severe weather season in 2003 from a severe

weather perspective. 2003 was the lightest severe weather season in

10 years for Southern New England and this event, while the biggest

for 2003, would be typical of an average severe weather event for

Southern New England.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for September 23rd, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated on Tuesday September 23rd as a line of

low-topped thunderstorms produced flash flooding and severe weather

across portions of Western Massachusetts. In addition, general straight

line winds caused damage over other parts of Southern New England.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were posted for portions of Western

Mass. as low topped thunderstorms caused wind damage over parts of

the area and SKYWARN was active through the efforts of N1VUX-Bill

Ricker and KA1JJM-Ray Weber. At 11:00 AM in Whatley, Mass., a tree

was blown down on I-91 with 6" diameter tree limbs blown down at 11:10

AM in Granville and Blandford, Mass. In Southwick Mass., K1II-Charlie

Dunlap reported that 4 roads were flooded including one to 2 feet

of water on Route 202 in downtown Southwick along with one basement

flooded at 11:53 AM. At 11:55 AM, Ridge Trail Road was washed out

from flood waters. At Noon in Northampton, Mass., cars were stuck in

numerous roads due to flooding with manhole covers lifted off some

roads. Also, at Noon, in Amherst, Mass., street flooding with 1.5

feet of water in the roads were reported. At 12:20 PM, a tree was

blown down on Ellerton Street in Chicopee.

Later in the afternoon, across Northeastern Massachusetts, general

straight line winds caused damage with trees down in Newton, Mass

at 3:30 PM with a wire down in Stoneham, Mass. at 4:45 PM.

For the event, 1.5" or more of rain was common over portions of interior

Southern New England along and north of the Mass. Pike with .50-1.5"

amounts common over other parts of Southern New England except for

Southeastern New England where rainfall amounts were less than a

half inch of rain.

Special thanks to all SKYWARN Coordinators and Spotters who assisted

NWS Taunton during this self-activation of SKYWARN.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for September 28th, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated over portions of Western Massachusetts and

Hartford County Connecticut as Flash Flood Warnings were issued as heavy

convective rains moved very slowly over the region. SKYWARN was

self-activated using the IRLP link to the 147.105-Wilbraham Repeater

through the 145.49-Fairhaven Repeater. Ray Weber-KA1JJM, N1VMH-Jim

Bernotas were on the air from Western Mass. SKYWARN and Roger

Jeanfaivre-K1PAI from CT SKYWARN were on the air and passing reports

to NWS Taunton.

At 12:04 PM in Agawam, Mass., Route 187 was closed and impassable due

to flooding. At 12:20 PM, Several side streets were closed with cars

stuck in the streets due to flooding. At 12:33 PM in West Hartford,

CT., a brook flowed out of its banks. At 12:13 PM, 2.9" of rain

occurred in Southwick, Mass. and at 1:04 PM 2 underpasses were closed

due to flooding in West Springfield, Mass. At 1:05 PM, a partial road

wash out was reported in Chicopee, Mass. At 1:07 PM, sections of

Route 20 were closed and impassable. At 1:08 PM, in New Britain, CT.,

the minor league baseball stadium parking lot had 2.5 feet of standing

water in the parking lot. At 1:26 PM, 2" of rain fell in Wilbraham,

Mass and at 1:44 PM in West Springfield, Mass., cars were under

water with water over the tops of the wheels of vehicles on Sylvan

Street and at 1:45 PM, 2.01" of rain was reported in Wethersfield, CT.

During the activation, Matt Belk, a forecaster and Amateur Radio

Operator briefly came on the air from NWS Taunton and took down

a few reports.

At 2:01 PM in Whatley, Mass., 2.83" of rain was reported and in

Wethersfield, CT, Spring Street was closed due to flooding with 2.10"

of rain reported. At 2:26 PM, 2.6" of rain was reported in Whatley,

Mass and at 2:19 PM in Southwick, Mass. 2.9" of rain was reported.

At 3:30 PM in Hadley Mass., Fort River came out of its banks and

flooded farm land and in Leyden Mass., 3.44" of rain was reported.

Also, in Hadley Mass. at 3:40 PM, Russell Brook was out of its banks

with several inches of water flowing into the neighboring fields.

At 4 PM, 2.52" of rain was reported in Wethersfield, CT, 3.5" of rain

in Wilbraham, Mass. and 3.48" in Whatley, Mass.

SKYWARN was secured at 5 PM as the rain weakened and moved out of the

area and flash flooding subsided. Special thanks to all Amateur Radio

Operators, Coordinators and Spotters who assisted in this activation

of SKYWARN.

SKYWARN Self-Activation Report for September 29th, 2003...

SKYWARN was self-activated in Southwest Massachusetts as a few

low-topped thunderstorms produced marginal severe weather. SKYWARN

was activated on the 146.94-Mount Tom Repeater. Pea Sized hail was

reported in Westfield at 4:40 PM and that hail grew to Dime Sized

hail at 4:41 PM. Pea Sized hail was also reported in Springfield,

Mass. at 4:53 and 4:54 PM with small branches down in Chicopee, Mass.

at 4:55 PM.

SKYWARN was secured at 5:15 PM after the thunderstorms dissipated.

Special thanks to all those who assisted in this activation of

SKYWARN.

Additional Web Weather Links on the Aftermath of Hurricane Isabel...

Old links:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/HurricaneIsabel.html

http://www2.ncsu.edu/eos/service/pams/meas/sco/research/nws/cases/20030918/20030918.html

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/storms/09182003.html

New Links:

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s2091.htm

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s2092.htm

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/wx_events/hur/isabel_2003.htm

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/wx_events/hur/isabel_pics/index.htm

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/archive/09-18-03/index.shtml

Hurricane Juan Causes Significant Damage in Nova Scotia Canada...

Hurricane Juan slammed into Nova Scotia Canada near Halifax as a

dangerous Category II Hurricane causing some of the worst damage

from a tropical system in about 100 years. Hurricane Juan took a

track and had speed similar to classic New England hurricanes

but was several hundred miles east of New England.

Contact was made approximately one hour before the storm with an

Amateur Radio Operator just outside of Halifax who was monitoring

the situation from his home. He was stating that wind swept rains

were occurring and winds were over gale force. The contact was made

through IRLP (the Internet Radio Linking Project) through a node

in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada. Once the eye came ashore, the node

was knocked out of service.

In Canada, they have their own form of "National Weather Service"

called Environment Canada and Canada has their own Canadian Hurricane

Center. Their web-site has a whole web page dedicated to the aftermath

of Hurricane Juan and the link is listed below:

http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/juan/

Hams Thanked for Efforts During Hurricane Isabel...

The following is an ARRL Letter Article on the Red Cross thanking

Hams for their support during Hurricane Isabel.

==>RED CROSS UNIT COMPLIMENTS AMATEUR RADIO ASSISTANCE DURING ISABEL

Amateur Radio assistance in the Hurricane Isabel relief and recovery stage

has continued this week in the Southeast. Ham radio's role has drawn

compliments from the American Red Cross of Central Maryland, which praised

the amateurs' dedication.

"I want to thank the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the

amateur radio community for coming out and supporting the American Red

Cross over the critical 72 hours when Hurricane Isabel passed over

Maryland," said Frank M. Eilbacher, KC0EKL, a Red Cross disaster

communications lead. "We recognize you took time away from your families

and, for some of you, your own personal disasters to support us."

During the storm's peak on September 18, Eilbacher said, electrical power

and telecommunication problems abounded, but ham radio operators "filled

the gap providing a crucial communication link between Red Cross chapters

and shelter locations." Amateurs in the storm-struck region staffed state

and county emergency operating centers and shelters, as well as the

Maryland/Delaware American Red Cross Hurricane Watch Center.

The Salvation Army also has responded to affected areas including North

Carolina, where Hurricane Isabel came ashore September 18. Salvation Army

Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) volunteer Carlos Varon, K2LCV, from

Flushing, New York, this week accompanied two Salvation Army canteen units

from New York City to Morehead City, encountering heavy rain and wind on

the way.

Varon, who took along his "orange box" portable ham station, reports the

Salvation Army has been operating up to a half dozen field canteens.

Carteret County Emergency Coordinator Rich Wright, KR4NU, and his ARES

team have been supporting the SATERN operation. Operators were deployed

this week to provide communication between the canteens and the local

command post. Plans call for expanding the operation to shadows some

Salvation Army officers. Varon has been working out of a Salvation Army

warehouse facility, expediting the deployment of necessities bound for

storm victims.

The Salvation Army is providing relief to affected residents and emergency

response workers in North Carolina, Washington, DC, and Baltimore,

Maryland, as well as in smaller communities.

Earlier this week, ARRL North Carolina Section Manager John Covington,

W4CC, reported that some ARES teams were providing communication support

for localities--most in the hard-hit northeastern portion of the

state--that still lacked power and telephone service. Covington said hams

established point-to-point communication between shelters and emergency

operations centers in affected counties. In one community, hams helped a

fire dispatch center that lost its antennas in the storm.

In keeping with the Boy Scout motto, "Be prepared," Venturing Crew 80 of

Alexandria--in Northern Virginia just outside Washington, DC--responded to

requests for assistance from the Alexandria EOC and Fairfax ARES as

Hurricane Isabel approached. The crew specializes in emergency

communication and first aid and counts several ARES members among its

membership and leadership. Some of the scouts remained on duty for several

days.

Venture Crew members helped support communication at the Alexandria and

Fairfax EOCs, at the Alexandria American Red Cross chapter house and at

Red Cross shelters in both communities. While distributing bulk bottled

water to homes lacking running water, crew volunteers got to meet Virginia

Gov Mark Warner, who was visiting a shelter to thank volunteers.

Members of the Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club and the Alexandria Radio

Club also provided communications support to Alexandria and Fairfax

operations. Repeaters operated by both clubs were used during the

emergency response.

"Things are still messy down here, and some of us are still recovering,"

said Bill Stewart, W2BSA, a Venture Crew 80 chartered organization

representative and committee member. "Most of Northern Virginia has power.

The biggest problem we have had is flooding."

Power has begun returning to the half-million or so residents who still

had none at the new week began. ARRL Virginia Section Emergency

Coordinator Tom Gregory, N4NW, reports commercial power finally returned

to his home September 24. He'd spent 141 hours running his home from an

emergency back-up generator. Gregory, who lives in Stafford County, lost

power September 18. This week he strongly advised amateurs involved in

public service communication to have a supply of emergency power available

for such situations, so they can remain on the air.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)

ARES SKYWARN Coordinator

Southeast Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator

SEMARA ARES Emergency Coordinator

Pager #: (508) 354-3142

Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)

Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)

Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)

Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com

http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo

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