The West Island Weather Station of Fairhaven Massachusetts is one of the most technologically advanced PWS weather stations in the world. WIWS is recognized by both national and International weather organizations and continues to achieve high rankings.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
January 25th Gale
brought in warmth from the South
PUBLISHED JANUARY 26, 2010
BY MLBARON
A mild spring like storm brought in temperatures above 55 degrees, on Monday, that’s 20 degrees above normal. Potent southeasterly gales pumped in the juicy tropical air from down south.
Rainfall measurements varied from .92" at WIWS to over 2" inland. The Barometer bottomed out at 29.24 at 6:34PM. The high winds were persistent most of the afternoon with several gusts over 50MPH. The peak wind gust at WIWS was 55.2MPH at 5PM.
(Above: No flipping burgers today, just the grill. This heavy duty grill was no match with today's high wind gusts exceeding 55MPH.)
There were a few bands of heavy tropical downpours especially when a last wave of energy transited the area around 7PM. More than half of West Island lost power including a few other isolated pockets elsewhere. Fairhaven had several reports of trees down including a few that completely blocked roadways.
(Above: A vessels bow always points towards the wind direction, especially when the winds exceed 50MPH. This West Island lobster boat rides out a mild January 25th gale)
The causeway fared well at the high tide cycle around 3PM and remained passable throughout the storm event. The New Bedford-Fairhaven Hurricane barrier closed to marine traffic during the height of the gale.
More seasonal temperatures consistent with mid-winter arrives shortly with all eyes focusing on a possible snow event this weekend. The bottom line is, it’s going to get cold again, but cheer up, the spring countdown is now only 52 days away! (as of Jan 26, 2010)
FOR COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY ARCHIVES CLICK HERE
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
80 YEAR OLD FAIRHAVEN AIRPORT PHOTO LINKS OREGON GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER ON GOOGLE SEARCH
By M.L.Baron
When Melissa Hart of Oregon searched for info about her great grandfather on the internet, it brought her back 80 years to the The Town of Fairhaven. A photo of pilot Harold Hart by his bi-plane nicknamed "Hap-Hazard" was taken at the Fairhaven Airshow, March 1930 at the airfield on Mill Rd.and Bridge St. (now the Titleist Heaquarters)
The story of Fairhaven Airport in it's hey day, along with many planes displayed at the Airshow in 1930 is featured on the West Island Weather Station web site.
"I just wanted to thank-you for a delightful surprise this morning-I looked for my great grandfather "Hap Hazard" on Google and found a photo of him that I've never seen before with the Fairhaven Airport story on your web site" Melissa stated in a recent email.
Ms. Hart, who's an Author and Journalism teacher at The University of Oregon is compiling a book on the aviation/circus and vaudeville days of her great grandfather "Hap Hazard" and his wife and co-pilot Mary Hart. "They flew from theater to theater along with fairs and other events in the 1920's and 30's." she said.
Sadly, Harold "Hap Hazard" Hart died in a plane crash in 1974 in Salinas, California. He apparently pushed his home built plane too far doing some barrel rolls and crashed.
Melissa Hart's book is sure to be a fascinating look back at the early days of aviation, especially with this unusual husband and wife team of aeronautical entertainers.
To read more on the history of Fairhaven Airport along with a short film clip and photos visit :
westislandweather.com/fairhaven airport
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
After going through HURRICANE BOB, a little bee almost claimed a victim
By M.L.Baron, KA1WBH West Island Weather Station
CableVision of Fairhaven/Acushnet Ma had miles of cable lines downed by Hurricane Bob, that impacted the Southcoast of Massachusetts. Cable services to homes and businesses were torn off by high winds, debris and fallen trees. Cable TV crews, Utility workers and contractors flowed into the area to render assistance. The cable company was short on communications gear so I provided some of my portable radios from my weather station. As program director for Fairhaven/Acushnet public access Cable 2 , not much could be done immediately after the storm. The station was without power, however the studio van's generator provided some electricity to the building with badly needed lighting and power to some of the electronics.
I monitored cable radio traffic when all of a sudden, a frantic call for help came over one of my loaned radios. A crew working way out near the Acushnet/Freetown line was in serious trouble. Yellow jacket bees were a nuisance all over the place from fallen trees disturbing their nests and where very aggressive and agitated. Numerous workers were stung. Shortly after one crew member was stung, he had a violent reaction and fell to the ground. There was only one worker with him far out at the Freetown/Acushnet line. He made a frantic call on the 2-way radio and barely made a readable signal. He stated his partner had stopped breathing and was turning blue after being stung. The manager at the cable office was startled and said, "I don't know what to tell you!".
I took control of the frequency, and immediately called the Acushnet Police Department for an ambulance.I spoke with dispatcher Mrs Richard, and told her to get in touch with the ambulance via radio NOW and relay to me first aid to get the victim breathing immediately "or I was going to lose him". The ambulance gave instructions over their frequency and I copied the radio traffic and carefully relayed the instructions step by step to the victim's co-worker on his radio. I had to move fast because I didn't know how much power their portable radio had left. I remember the EMT's saying to get the victims head face up and neck straight so that his wind pipe would be unobstructed, and then they guided us with mouth to mouth resuscitation procedures.
The seconds it took to go through this felt like an eternity, I can only imagine what the co-worker was going through trying to save his friends life. In the meantime the ambulance was going as fast as safely possible dodging debris and fallen trees to get to the scene a dozen miles away. There was a brief moment of silence on frequency and the Acushnet EMT asked for an update, I radioed the co-worker and he appeared to be crying, and stated that his friend had started breathing again! It's amazing how a little yellow jacket could have brought down a burly 285lb man. I'll never forget the cable man giving me a hefty hand shake days afterward,he thanked me for saving his life. I advised him it was a team effort and that his co-worker who kept a cool head is the real hero.
Just to recap, it is important to note that up to 50% of hurricane casualties can occur long after the storm has passed from the hazards that are left behind.
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