Flight ID:
- 950503I
Flight Track:
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Chief Scientist: Watson/Ziegler Flight Director: Damiano Doppler Radar: Shepherd/Lewis Pilots: Tenneson/Kennedy Cloud Physics: --- Data Technician: Pradas Radiometer: Westwater Systems Engineer: Lynch/McNamara Observers: Trokhimouski Takeoff Time: 1930 UTC Landing Time: 0141 UTC Official Mission Duration: 6.4 hrs Mission Breakdown VORTEX: 6.4 hrs ARM: 0.0 hrs Number of Data Tapes Used: Radar: 1 Cloud Physics: 1 Video: 3Data Systems Log
Radar Data System Log Time On(UTC) Time Off(UTC) Comments Tape #1 1940 TA only 1947 Begin LF 2005 Stop TA 2350 Begin TA 0127 Stop record Cloud Physics Log Time On(UTC) Time Off(UTC) Comments 2000 0130 ETL Radiometer Log Time On (UTC) Time Off (UTC) Comments 1925 0140 Excellent data
A reoccurring theme: CAPE and shear should be sufficient for
supercells along and south of the Red River from Wichita Falls to the
Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. The P-3 would depart at 1930 UTC with the
Electra following at 2000 UTC for an INIT pattern prior to convective
development.
The P-3 departed OKC at 1930 UTC heading for Frederick, OK at
FL100. The FC suggested a reconnoiter leg towards Seymour, TX to determine
the location of the dryline. We encountered the frontal boundary (or
outflow boundary) at 99.2 W near Seymour and the said dryline, at 99.7 W.
We readjusted our NE-SW track approximately 40nm SE in the vicinity of
swelling cumulus. As we set up an IP point for a coordinated INIT pattern
with the Electra, they had to shut down an engine and head back to OKC.
So, alone, we began our stepped traverses and INIT pattern completing one set.
When clouds appeared more appealing to the south, we adjusted
the INIT pattern another 20nm south. We did 3 sets of stepped traverses
as the clouds dissappeared more and more on each leg. We boxed a couple of
alto-towering-cumulus which evaporated before we finished one pass.
Then, what to our wonderous surprise, but a lone echo appeared
on our LF radar in the Frederick, OK area. Like a magnet, the echo
seemed to draw us to it, climbing to FL165 to give the ground teams
repeater support as we headed for it. We began our first Doppler leg on 2
splitting cells at 0000 UTC. The echo rapidly evolved over the next hour
with a well-developed mesocyclone, 'gusting' out, and then reforming a
new mesocyclone with a spectacular BWER and hail gyre. We completed 10
Doppler legs in one hour before returning to OKC at 0141 UTC, consuming
6.4 flight hours.
Irv Watson