Chief Scientist: Watson/Ziegler Flight Director: Damiano Doppler Radar: Shepherd Pilots: Tenneson/Kennedy Cloud Physics: --- Data Technician: McMillan Radiometer: --- Systems Engineer: Barr Observers: Gordon Navigator: Strong Observers: Detwiler (SDSM) Observers: Geiszler (REU), Week (REU) Takeoff Time: 2004 UTC Landing Time: 0255 UTC Official Mission Duration: 7.1 hrs Mission Breakdown VORTEX: 7.1 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 2019 Begin TA 2038 Begin LF XMT/RCV replaced on LF 0240 Stop recording Cloud Physics Log Time On(UTC) Time Off(UTC) Comments 2040 0240 ETL Radiometer Log Time On (UTC) Time Off (UTC) Comments 1950 0240
The forecast was for large CAPEs, jet cirrus moving eastward, and a
frontal boundary; all in southwest Kansas setting the stage to produce
supercells.
We departed OKC at 2004 UTC along with the Electra. We found the
ground teams in Sitka, KS under a band of Sc. We setup an east-west INIT
pattern over Sitka, observing only a windshift boundary at 500'AGL. After
climbing above the clouds at 8000'AGL, we observed new convective growth
near Garden City and proceeded to the new targets. We began radar legs at
2209 UTC. Growth was rapid with a hook observed on the LF at 2233UTC.
First tornado was reported by PROBE 1 at 2335 UTC. We also observed the
tornado at 2345 UTC. Several funnels were observed by the ground teams as
well as aircraft personnel. A second tornado was reported by the ground
teams at 0139 UTC near Burdett, KS after the FC had cancelled operations at
0132 UTC. We continued radar legs until 0205 UTC. There was some anxious
moments as the ground chasers became the chasee as PROBE 1 escaped
northward with the tornado in hot pursuit.
We performed 33 Doppler legs on the supercell which appears to be
great data. We returned to OKC at 0255 UTC consuming 7.1 hours. We now
have 40.4 hours remaining.
Irv Watson