We remain very busy with Hurricane Dorian. NOAA42 is currently conducting a NHC- and EMC-tasked reconnaissance flight into Dorian. On their first pass, they found that Dorian was rapidly intensifying and now had a minimum central pressure of 951 mb from dropsonde, and the stepped-frequency microwave radiometer reported surface wind speed of 112 kt (129 mph, 207 kph).
As they continue their mission, the G-IV is getting ready for a synoptic surveillance mission around Dorian to sample the hurricane and the ridge to its north that is currently steering it. It is due to depart Lakeland at 0130 EDT (0530 UTC) and recover there about 8 hours later.
We’re continuing two missions per day with each aircraft. The next NOAA42 flight is an EMC-tasked mission in Dorian, taking off from Lakeland at 0500 EDT (0900 UTC) and recovering there about 8 h later. In addition to gathering data to improve model forecasts, the plane will drop a series of Airborne Expendable BathyThermographs (AXBTs) to measure how much heat is available in the ocean to fuel Dorian.
The G-IV will then depart on a synoptic surveillance mission around Dorian to sample the hurricane and the ridge to its north that is currently steering it. The mission will again be Lakeland to Lakeland and take about 8 hours. It will again sample Dorian itself and the ridge to its north, data that will be used to improve model forecasts.
The P3 (NOAA42) is then tasked for another EMC-tasked mission in Dorian, which will again be Lakeland to Lakeland. It will depart Lakeland at 1700 EDT (2100 UTC) and recover there about 8 hours later. They will again drop a series of Airborne Expendable BathyThermographs (AXBTs) to measure how much heat is available in the ocean to fuel Dorian.
Another G-IV synoptic surveillance mission around Dorian is planned for early Sunday morning, takeoff at 0130 EDT (0530 UTC) from Lakeland and recovering in New Orleans about 8 hours later. The goal is again to sample the region around Dorian and the ridge to its north.
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