RF15: 12-6-2002 18:02 - 22:49
 

P3 Flight Log:

The weather forecast was complex with a cold front that appeared to be reinforced by outflow, a trough line (not a dryline for once) intersecting in a triple point forecast to be in the Oklahoma Panhandle east of S-Pol. Also complicating the picture was a remnant outflow boundary that was quasi-east/west across Oklahoma and also intersected the front near the triple point. After extensive discussions with the ground forces, it was decided to choose an IP somewhere between S-Pol and the eastern Oklahoma Panhandle. The P-3 would contact both S-Pol and the FC to refine the target once we departed Will Rogers. The SPC forecast was for a Moderate Risk for severe weather in the location that we had targeted. The P-3 was set to take off at 12:00 CDT. The King Air was in Laramie, WY and would land in Liberal at 11:00 a, and plan to take off at 12:00. The LearJet was set for a 1:00 takeoff and was prepared to perform three dropsonde legs. The Proteus took off after 11:00 am and may have flown over our region at high altitudes. Actual takeoff for the P-3 was 11:56 am. The plane climbed to a high altitude to cool off before descending into an IP of 37 and 100 degrees (i.e., the Kansas-Oklahoma border at the far east end of the Panhandle) where the ground crew had gathered. We setup an east-west box along the outflow boundary. After a couple of legs, we were told by Jim Wilson that we needed to fly further east to capture the triple point intersection. The western part of the box captured a bend in the ?fat line? while the eastern leg captured the triple point. Prominent in the in situ winds was the circulation associated with the low-pressure center located to the west of the triple point. We continued flying legs until severe convection initiated at the triple point. We noted echoes reaching 10-11 km over the P-3 with max intensities near 40 dBZ during our last pass through the system. We heard reports that this cell became quite severe with large hail and strong winds reported. Two dropsonde legs were performed by the LearJet, the last leg was right before convection initiated. I hope the dropsonde legs were setup well and all sondes were successful. The King Air should have collected excellent cloud radar data on the outflow. One person became ill on the flight (Note: all successful IHOP CI missions with the P-3 have had at least one person become ill). Luckily, convection initiated before the ELDORA temperature reached 100 degrees. Landing was at 6:02 pm. Good communications has now been established between the King Air and P-3. Replacement of the King Air antenna appeared to do the trick. The internet hub was also fixed.


Flight Track:




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