May 26, 1994

Vortex Aircraft Mission #4

Flight ID

940526I

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Flight Crew:

Chief Scientist: Watson/Ziegler         Flight Director:  Damiano
Doppler Radar:   Shepherd/Atkins        Pilots:           Kennedy/Tennesen
Cloud Physics:   Jacobs                 Data Technician:  Pradas
Observer:        Wakimoto               Systems Engineer: Lynch
Observer:        Bluestein
Media:           Irish Air Letters (2)


Takeoff Time: 1902 UTC                  Landing Time: 0213 UTC
Official Mission Duration: 7.4 hrs
Number of Data Tapes Used:  Radar: 2    Cloud Physics: 1        Video: 2

Data Systems Log

Tape #1                 2033                            Start LF/TA
                                        2203            Radar down
Tape #2                 2214                            Start radar REC
                                        0148            Shutdown REC

Cloud Physics Log       Time On(UTC)    Time Off(UTC)   Comments
                        2034            0130            Recycle tape when
                                                        checked

Summary:

Proposed mission was to seek out severe convective development. The surface front has pushed south of San Angelo, TX. The VORTEX ground team scenario was to work supercells in western Texas panhandle, if they occur, after winds come around to easterly and southeasterly.

NOAA 43 departed Will Rogers at 1902 UTC heading southwestward at 8000' toward Lubbock, TX. We turned toward Midland, TX at 1945 UTC noting alto-cumulus castellanus right of track. We continued south to weak convection occurring between Abilene and Midland, TX. After determining the clouds were not to our liking, we proceeded westward at 12000' to survey the situation noting convection to the northwest. We decided, with the aid of the EFF, to go northward at 1000' AGL along the New Mexico/Texas border. At Hobbs, NM, we turned westward toward developing convection examining the boundary-layer structure. Winds gradually shifted from easterly to south and drying out as we proceeded west. Storms southeast of Roswell, NM did not look appealing so went continued back at 1000' AGL to Hobbs, NM.

We then decided to go 100nm northeast to new growth, arriving near Lubbock, TX at 2230 UTC. Two mature cells were in the vicinity and we set up tracks on the southernmost supercell. We then determined that the ground teams were working the supercell to the northeast. We cautiously worked our way around the southern storm and setup Doppler legs on the second supercell at 2315 UTC.

We worked this cell, noting a well-developed wall cloud and bounded weak-echo region, until 2330 UTC. We executed 4 tracks on the supercell. The wall cloud gradually wrapped in precipitation when we departed to the southern storm following the departure of the ground teams.

This storm, also, developed a long-lived wall cloud with classic weak-echo region. Fourteen Doppler legs were made on this storm as the ground teams did their thing on the ground. No tornadoes were spotted on either supercells.

We departed due to fuel considerations at 0107 UTC, arriving at OKC at 0213 UTC. Good ground and airborne data were collected. The repeater power supply was replaced and provided the ground teams with excellent service throughout the afternoon.

Irv Watson

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