Flight ID:
- 950512I
Flight Track:
Click image for full resolution.
Chief Scientist: Watson/Ziegler Flight Director: Damiano Doppler Radar: Shepherd Pilots: Kennedy/Tenneson Cloud Physics: --- Data Technician: McMillan Radiometer: --- Systems Engineer: Lynch Observers: Dilla (media) Navigator: Strong Observers: Loftin (media) Takeoff Time: 1959 UTC Landing Time: 0257 UTC Official Mission Duration: 7.2 hrs Mission Breakdown VORTEX: 7.2 hrs ARM: 0.0 hrs Number of Data Tapes Used: Radar: 1 Cloud Physics: 1 Video: 3Data Systems Log
Radar Data System Log Time On(UTC) Time Off(UTC) Comments Tape #1 2019 Begin TA & LF 0241 Stop recording Cloud Physics Log Time On(UTC) Time Off(UTC) Comments 2030 0240 ETL Radiometer Log Time On (UTC) Time Off (UTC) Comments 1950 0240
Low pressure expected to develop in eastern Colorado, a jet maximum
extending across the northern Texas panhandle into southern Kansas, and a
dryline in eastern Colorado and western Kansas were the ingredients to
develop supercells across western Kansas.
The Electra departed OKC shortly after 1900 UTC and the P-3
followed at 1959 UTC heading for Dodge City, KS. There was one large cell
northeast of Colby, KS and two other areas of TCu south of the large cell.
The Electra began collecting Doppler radar data on a nascent Cb near
Gove, KS. We arrived at 2118 UTC and immediately began radar tracks. Our
cell developed rapidly with the large complex to the northwest overtaking
our cell and merging.
We began coordinated aircraft scans at 2145 UTC. Moderate
turbulence was encountered on the west side of all the low-level tracks due
to the windshift along the dryline. Inflow winds up to 60kts hampered
our track selection all afternoon. Several along track course changes
were made especially on the westbound tracks. Inflow tail cloud bases
also hampered our track mainly on the eastern end of the legs requiring us
to descend to 700' AGL. The FC complained about repeater coverage
being compromised. At 0040 UTC, we climbed above the inflow clouds, finally
deciding on 9500' AGL. Terrific photos were taken of the supercell at this
altitude.
Forty Doppler legs were completed on this mission. It is
unfortunate, but as we gather data farther into the Plains where cloud
bases are lower, providing repeater coverage and collecting quality tail
radar data cannot always be done at the same time. Our last leg was
completed at 0153 UTC. We landed at OKC at 0257 UTC, consuming 7.2 flight
hours.
Irv Watson