Chief Scientist -- R. Burpee
Doppler Scientist -- F. Marks
Dropwindsonde Scientist -- J. Franklin
Workstation -- J. Griffin
This document is divided into 3 sections (Each section is written by the Chief Scientist):
On the first coordinated pattern storm looked like it might have double eyewall structure so we starting thinking about options if ODWs kept failing and 42RF TA radar didn't work. Decided to make decision point the same as the one we used the day before, the beginning of the second coordinated fig 4 pattern. Meanwhile, Joe Griffin completed a radar composite and sent it over ASDL after a little glitch in the ASDL computer was repaired. James decided that the ODW failures had compromised the mission as f ar as he was concerned and that we should investigate options if 42RF TA came back up. James suggested attempting ODW/LOD2 intercomparison to SW of center on final turn before fig 4 (2121Z). Also set up monitoring of omega signal on both aircraft to try to resolve the problem.
42RF TA radar repaired at 2115Z and they do fix at 2129Z on their way to the coordination point 40 nm NW of center. John Gamache suggests we do at least one coordinated fig. 4 together with both TA radars working. Start coordinated pattern at 2152Z, 43R F tracking 050 deg and 42RF tracking 140 deg. Center appears to have tilt from NW to SE with increasing altitude. No longer and indication of double eyewall, although eyewall has radar echo only on N semicircle. Radar eye appears to have contracted, wit h intense cells in NE corner, extending downwind. Finished coordinated pattern at 2248Z, 43RF SSE of the center and 42RF WSW of center. 42RF climbed to 18 kft after fixing the center to drop ODW as a test of signal strength. At 2249Z 42RF departed for MIA and 43RF headed for Bermuda.
James compared omega signals with 42RF during ferry. 43RF transmitted a second LF composite just before landing. 43RF landed in Bermuda at 0000Z.
42RF managed to get the TA radar repaired around 2110 UTC and fixed the center at 2130Z. Starting at 2200Z we did the coordinated fig 4 with both TA Dopplers for 3-D mapping. 43RF also managed to get an ODW/LOD2 intercomparison at the last drop SW of ce nter. Mission was a marginal success. One lesson that was learned was that the Vortex-interaction experiment is very susceptible to failure if only a few drops are compromised. We need to re-evaluate the plan to build in better flexibility.
Two LF composites transmitted via ASDL to NHC, and the EVTD looked real interesting (shallow circulation with hint of double wind maxima in earliest time period). Coordinated Fig 4 should help John Gamache evaluate the GPS effects on Doppler analysis. OD W/LOD2 intercomparison should be useful to Jimmy Franklin.
Problems: