On today's flight we climbed towards Cheyenne to 25 k feet where deep, 
widespread cloud was present, with tops at our altitude, due to the 
frontal system located there.  Near Cheyenne, we did a spiral descent 
through the clouds ending below the base near 8 kfeet.  We found 
extensive ice cloud at the upper portion of the spiral and water cloud 
at the lower regions, with a clear region in between and a strong wind 
shift (probably the frontal surface itself) mid spiral.  This case 
should offer a wide variety of cloud conditions and airmass 
characteristics.

Next we headed SW and climed to 22 k feet in the hopes of getting south 
of the frontal clouds to find a more isolated wave cloud or other cloud 
that we could study.  At 22 k feet (and about -22 C) we found ice 
clouds with occasional traces of liquid water, which was evident on the 
Rosemount icing detector and the FSSP.  After looking for a bit, we 
finally settled on a lower level wave cloud region that appeared rather 
distinct from other cloudy regions.  We made two passes through it at 
11 k feet (mid cloud) and 10 k feet (attempt to get below the cloud).   
Although there was a strong stable layer at 11 and 10 k feet, there was 
also significant wind shear, so the idea of a "flow through" wave cloud 
is not a good model for this cloud.   

We then found a place to stay out of cloud for 5 minutes for a baseline 
on the TDMA.  Next, we entered nearby cloud in a holding pattern to 
provide time for a complete CVI/TDMA/IN sample in (warm) cloud at 10 k
feet.  This was successful.  

The flight concluded by a descent to low levels in clear air for the 
return to JeffCo, so that Teresa could sample in the boundary layer.   
(The boundary layer on climbout was at about 11 kfeet (MSL), but I did 
not catch it on the descent into JeffCo.

Jeff Stith