SKYWARN Newsletter #149
Hello to all...
NWS Open House Update...
SKYWARN Training Session for This Week...
Flooding Hits Parts of Eastern New England on Easter Sunday Weekend...
Woonsocket, RI SKYWARN Training Review from 4/24/2000...
Amateur Radio Prominent at the 2000 National Hurricance Conference...
Special Programming on The Weather Channel for the OKC F5 Tornado...
***Newsletter Issued: 4/30/2000.
NWS Open House Update...
Plans are continuing for the NWS Taunton Open House.
The NWS Open House will be held on the following dates and times:
Saturday May 20th: 10 AM-5 PM.
Sunday May 21st: Noon-5 PM.
The National Weather Service in Taunton Massachusetts is located
in the Miles Standish Industrial Park. The Industrial Park is located
off of Exit 9 Bay Street on I-495.
Detailed directions and events for this year's NWS Open House can
be found off of the NWS Taunton homepage at:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/box/outreach/open.htm
For those who will be volunteering for this year's Open House, an email
will be sent during the week to discuss plans and a tentative schedule
for who will man the booth and at what times. Phone calls to those who
are bringing radio and computer equipment will also be done during the
week when possible.
For those that want to help out with this year's Open House booth,
please contact me via email or phone.
Further details on the Open House will be mentioned in later
newsletters.
SKYWARN Training Session for This Week...
This week SKYWARN training will return to Western Mass, here is the
date, time and location of the training:
05/02/2000 7-10PM Gateway Regional High School
Tues. Littleville Road (Rte 112)
Huntington, MA
No preregistration is required and feel free to fan out this
information to all who might be interested.
Flooding Hits Parts of Eastern New England on Easter Sunday Weekend...
Heavy rains last weekend, particularly on Friday Night and Saturday
resulted in flooding of rivers, streams and roadways.
Heavy rains that began Friday Night prompted the issuance of numerous
flood warnings for much of Rhode Island and from Worcester County into
much of Eastern Massachusetts with the exception of Cape Cod and the
Islands.
The first flood Warnings were issued for Windham County CT, Southern
Worcester County Mass, and Providence and Kent Counties in Rhode
Island. SKYWARN was activated on the 146.76 Scituate Repeater. Joe
Farrington, KB1CMD, and Ralph Nahigian, KE1GL checked numerous
rivers and streams for flooding. No rivers or streams went into
flood, however, the following streets had 8-12" of water making
them almost impassable per Ralph, KE1GL:
-Pontiac Ave and Garden City Drive in Cranston, RI, 10-12" of
water in the intersection.
-Factory and River Street in West Warwick, RI, 10-12" of water
in the intersection.
-Flooding of this type was also reported in Coventry, RI as well.
The heaviest rain shifted slightly east sparing this area from
further flooding and Eastern Mass. was now under the gun. The
heavy rains were accompanied by thunderstorms and some may have
produced wet microbursts. The Logan Airport Radar is suspected
to have been brought down by microburst winds. Winds at Logan
Airport officially gusted to 48 MPH, and gusted to 54 MPH at
the Blue Hill Observatory. In New Bedford, during one of the
thunderstorms, my weather station recorded a wind gust of 46
and then 50 MPH within 10 minutes of 3 AM.
Flood Warnings were posted for much of Eastern Massachusetts.
The Proctor and Goldwaithe brooks flooded Peabody Square per
Nelson, AA1MO. Rainfall totals at the end of this storm ranged
from 2-4" across much of the area after the storm passed.
Special thanks to all spotters who reported any flooding and
rainfall totals during this event. It is much appreciated!!!
Woonsocket, RI SKYWARN Training Review from 4/24/2000...
The Woonsocket, RI SKYWARN Training was a great success. 56 people
were trained as Glenn Field, Warning Coordination Meteorologist,
Bill Babcock, Senior Forecaster, and Dave Vallee, Service Hydrologist
and Hurricane Program Leader gave a tremendous three hour training
seminar.
Bill Babcock assisted Glenn Field with the Severe Weather aspects
of the presentation. Bill discussed what makes a Severe Thunderstorm
and tornado develop while Glenn went into discussion of some of the
more damaging severe weather events that we've had in over the past
5 years.
The most entertaining part of the program was Dave Vallee's hurricane
presentation. Dave, who is related to Rudy Vallee, put on music from
the late 1930's and played a clarinet to the music to begin his
presentation so that he could show how things were in that timeframe
were when parties were held prior to the devastating 1938 hurricane
that would slam Southern New England. He then went on to explain
hurricanes and their effects on New England based on their track as
well as categorized hurricanes that have hit New England in the past.
Special thanks to Joe Farrington, Roger Prata and Martin Mendelson for
their help in publicizing and setting up this training session!
Amateur Radio Prominent at the 2000 National Hurricance Conference...
The following was obtained from the ARRL Letter concerning amateur
radio's prominence at the National Hurricane Conference:
AMATEUR RADIO PROMINENT AT NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFAB
The role of Amateur Radio in tracking and responding to hurricanes was
highlighted during several presentations at the recent 2000 National
Hurricane Conference. ARRL Public Service Specialist Steve Ewald, WV1X,
was among the approximately 1700 people attending the annual gathering
April 17-21 in New Orleans.
Ewald presented an overview of Amateur Radio disaster operations during
a session on "The Role of Amateur Radio in Hurricane Communications"
moderated by Dr. T. Michael Carter, N3PDK. Ewald discussed how the ARRL
Field Organization, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and the
National Traffic System are set up to respond to communication
emergencies. He also focused on the role that ARRL Headquarters plays
in hurricane-related threats and disasters.
Representatives from three hurricane-prone states--Florida, Louisiana
and Mississippi--outlined amateur emergency response systems in their
respective states. ARRL Florida District Emergency Coordinator Gary
Arnold, WB2WPA, reviewed the very busy 1999 hurricane season. He noted
that ARES and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service are virtually
one organization in Florida. Amateur Radio operators are cross-trained
in emergency operation center communications, Arnold explained.
ARRL Louisiana Section Emergency Coordinator Mark Ketchell, N5MYH, said
work is progressing to revise that state's ARES plan, and neighboring
ARRL section leaders have been invited to comment. He also displayed an
example of the ARES, Civil Defense and Red Cross-sponsored announcement
that is shown on local cable TV channels to increase public awareness
of severe-weather readiness as well as of Amateur Radio.
ARRL Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, noted that the
threat of flooding and tornadoes spawned by hurricanes receives a lot
of attention in Mississippi. Keown said Mississippi's amateurs strongly
support the National Weather Service's SKYWARN program, and simulated
emergencies there often focus on severe-storm scenarios.
Wide-area Amateur Radio hurricane operations were the focus of the
presentation by Hurricane Watch Net Manager Jerry Herman, N3BDW. The
Net was in operation for six storms during the 1999 season. After
Hurricane Floyd hit the Bahamas and the US eastern seaboard, Herman
explained, it became obvious that fresh-water flooding associated with
hurricanes is a primary danger to inland as well as to coastal areas.
Nearly two million people were evacuated from the path of Floyd, and 57
deaths were attributed to this powerful hurricane.
Herman also reported on Hurricane Lenny on behalf of Don McGehee,
PJ8DM, on Saba, in the Netherlands Antilles. McGehee was unable to
attend the conference. After the late-season Hurricane Lenny struck the
Caribbean, it left Saba without any communications except those
provided by Amateur Radio. With help from the Hurricane Watch Net, the
League was able to quickly send its emergency 2-meter repeater to Saba.
For about two weeks, the repeater served as the Saba government's
primary communication system while the island's electrical systems and
infrastructure were restored.
A later roundtable forum moderated by ARRL First Vice President Joel
Harrison, W5ZN, also discussed the possibility of streamlining the
process of setting up temporary third-party traffic arrangements during
a disaster. Following Hurricane Lenny, attempts were unsuccessful to
arrange a temporary third-party agreement between Saba and the US,
despite efforts by ARRL and the Hurricane Watch Net. Those attending
the session agreed that the benefits of such temporary agreements not
only would help disaster recovery efforts but assist in dealing with
handling health-and-welfare inquiries from the public via Amateur
Radio.
In his presentation, American Red Cross Technical Communications
Coordinator Steve Hailey, said Amateur Radio is a major resources for
the Red Cross, especially right after a disaster. When the Amateur
Radio station is activated at the Disaster Operations Center in Falls
Church, Virginia, Hailey said, ARES/RACES provides the trained
operators.
Special Programming on the Weather Channel for the OKC F5 Tornado...
The following was obtained from the Milwaukee SKYWARN Newsletter Email
List:
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2000--On Sunday, April 30th, The
Weather Channel will kick off Tornado!, an unprecedented five-day
series featuring live reports and exclusive footage captured during the
tornado that generated what some scientists say were "the strongest
winds ever recorded on Planet Earth." What made last year's tornadoes
- that devastated parts of Oklahoma - so powerful? The Weather
Channel's own "Dr. Tornado," nationally recognized severe weather
expert Dr. Greg Forbes, offers revealing insights.
Each hour, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., TWC will take viewers inside the
weather and behind the scenes with the forecasters and emergency
management agencies who try to keep people ahead of the storm.
According to Patrick Scott, executive vice president and general
manager of The Weather Channel, Tornado! will explore the awesome
power of weather and the advances being made in forecasting severe
outbreaks. "People are fearful about this type of storm and in this
series, we strive to show our viewers the best precautionary measures
to take in the event of severe weather, and to alleviate some of the
fear of the unknown."
The Series Run-down:
Sunday, April 30th:
In the first installment of Tornado!, The Weather Channel will
present "Tornado Myths and Safety Preparations," dispelling myths and
providing crucial advice from the experts on keeping safe and sound
when tornadoes strike. Outlining a Family Disaster Plan in the event
of a tornado and keeping contact information for local authorities are
examples of protective measures to take before severe weather hits.
Monday, May 1st:
Tonight's topic explores the "Awesome Power of Tornadoes." More
powerful than hurricanes, the force of a tornado can gouge through
pavement, destroying homes and businesses within minutes. Exclusive
footage from past tornadoes will air, showing the disastrous effects of
these storms and their impact on the people and places with which they
come into contact.
Tuesday, May 2nd:
Tonight, The Weather Channel experts answer "What is a Tornado?",
taking the mystery out of the natural occurrence and learning where,
when, why and how tornadoes strike. While by their nature tornadoes
are mercurial, viewers can find out if they are confined to the United
States alone, how to read the skies for signs of a tornado, and other
facts.
Wednesday, May 3rd:
Marking the anniversary of the most powerful tornado ever
recorded, one that brought the strongest winds ever recorded on the
earth, and leveled hundreds of homes, today's programming will devote
the day, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., to tornado coverage interspersed
into its regular schedule. The Weather Channel meteorologists will be
live from Oklahoma City, looking back at the devastating tornado
outbreak there one year ago today, and they will take the viewer
through the day of the outbreak - before the storm, through the
meteorological factors that led to severe weather, and then through the
aftermath. Segments will also include interviews with locals who
witnessed the event; they will look at the people and places who were
affected by this event with live cut-ins from in and around Oklahoma
City.
The live coverage is in addition to the continuing episodes of
Tornado!
Viewers will learn "Who works on Tornadoes?" - a behind the scenes look
at the science of this phenomenon. Featuring the latest technology used
in forecasting tornadoes, the difference between watches and warnings,
and insight into how weather experts do their jobs. To commemorate the
deadly tornado of May 3, 1999, The Weather Channel's Web site,
weather.com, will hold online chats from 8:00 p.m.
- 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 4th:
The last night of the series will take a look at the people
affected by tornadoes. From the state level down to the local
community, families and individuals, the impact of a tornado is seen
and experienced in many ways physically, emotionally, financially and
structurally. Psychological effects of tornadoes will be addressed,
offering insight on rebuilding lives and areas that have been hit by
these events. Leading up to the week of Tornado! programming, The
Weather Channel will feature tornado questions nightly, the answers to
which will be revealed on TWC's Web site, weather.com. Five randomly
selected grand prize winners will receive exclusive The Weather Channel
Columbia jackets, like the ones worn by on-camera meteorologists in the
field.
That's all for this edition of the SKYWARN newsletter, comments,
questions,and/or suggestions are always welcome. The next
SKYWARN Newsletter will be posted in the May 7th-8th, 2000 timeframe.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
SEMCARES 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@pop.ma.ultranet.com
Packet Address: KD1CY @ AA1FS
http://www.ultranet.com/~rmacedo
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