Group Name:  Extratropical Transition

Group Leader:  Sim Aberson

Group Members:  Sarah Jones (U. Munich)
                Chris Velden (CIMSS)
                Jim Abraham (EC)
                Pete Bowyer (EC)
                Pat Harr (NPS)

HRD group category:  Impacts

Objective:  Improvement of forecasts of the transition of tropical
            cyclones to extratropical cyclones.

* targeting observations of opportunity such as dropwindsondes from 
various platforms to those regions most likely to positive impact the
specific forecast
* obtain a number of snapshots of a cyclone undergoing transition
* provide improved environmental data sets for other research projects.

Methods:

This will be accomplished by:

* conducting Observing Systems Experiments (OSEs)
* obtaining over-sampled data sets to test targeting strategies
* synoptic examination of the data

Accomplishments:

* Created a comprehensive plan, in coordination with THORPEX, to obtain
data on extratropical transition during the 2003 hurricane season.

FY04 proposed milestones:

* Obtain comprehensive datasets, weather permitting

References:  none

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And the following is for the intranet site:

PI name and work months:  Sim Aberson  1.0 mo

HRD participant names and work months:  

Funding source and amount:  NOAA - 105 flight hours
                                   $20,000 for dropwindsondes
                                   unspecified amount of money for
                                   travel for flight scientists

Computer or other hardware requirements:  none

Travel requirements:  2nd International Workshop on Extratropical
                      Transition  Halifax, NS, 17-21 November

Comments:
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