CLEX-9 October 22nd, 2001 Operations

Synopsis

• The CLEX-9 forecast team has decided to stand by all operations for Monday, October 22nd.
  
  
• Weather Forecast (made at 1530 MDT 10/21/01):

  
             Weather Discussion:
  
             A subtropical shortwave/jet with ample and widespread mid-level (500mb, -15C) 
             moisture will make its way over the CLEX-9 operational area this evening and early 
             tomorrow morning.  We are expecting solid mid-level cloud over LBF and vicinity.  
             The mid-level cloud will likely be topped by some Cirrus.
  
             We are anticipating both Eulearian stacked runs over LBF and Lagrangian spirals in 
             the LBF vicinity.
  
             Weather Outlook:
  
             Tuesday AM will be in between two major shortwaves (subtropical s/w will be to east-
             southeast and a strong s/w and associated frontal system to the northwest.  There 
             is a hint of some weak waves early AM but confidence in these features is low at 
             the moment.  Tuesday early PM may be favorable w/ pre-frontal clouds.  Wednesday 
             looks problematic due to possible frontal passage and and associated precipitation.  
             On Thursday and Friday, we may be back in favorable post-frontal NW'ly flow aloft - 
             good for CLEX clouds.  After that, upper level ridge builds in over CLEX.
  
             Larry/Adam
  
  
    
  Morning Update (made at 0400 MDT 10/22/01): 
  
             After much discussion (and dealing with data gaps in the satellite imagery) we 
             have decided place CLEX-9 operations on GO status for this morning (22 Oct 2001).  
  
             Larry is on his way to Wyoming and expects takeoff in the WY King Air no later than 
             0645 MDT (1245 UTC).  The decision to fly over North Platte will be made just prior 
             to takeoff.  Current conditions have significant mid-level clouds over North Platte, 
             NE - but these clouds might erode in an approaching upper level dry slot.  Will have 
             to see how things progress in the next hour or so.
             
             If North Platte doesn't pan out northwest NE would be our backup target... 
  
             Adam/Larry
  
  

Post Mission Update (made at 1230 MDT 10/22/01):

          The 12 Oct 2001 CLEX-9 mission over the Scott's Bluff/Alliance, NE region has been completed.  

          Larry reports that they were able to sample some excellent mid-level clouds over the Scott's 
          Bluff/Alliance, NE region this morning.  The first set of clouds they found were rather deep 
          clouds (with tops near 29 Kft) that had observable virga emanating from the base.  They 
          sampled within the cloud up to about 21 Kft and were able to observe what was above them with 
          the cloud radar.  

          The King Air then found a more benign mid-level cloud deck that had tops near 17 Kft (-15 C) 
          and bases near 10 Kft.  A slow Lagrangian spiral descent was undertaken followed by three NE-
          to-SW oriented level flight legs (at 8.5, 13 and 17 Kft respectively).  Larry reported 
          significant liquid water near cloud top and a good mixed phase environment within the cloud.  
          Liquid water contents were observed to be highest near the cloud top environment.  

          Another great CLEX-9 case study!  Total time aloft was 4 hours (with 2.5 of that devoted to sampling cloud).  

          Adam (from CLEX-9 central)

Sunrise Information for North Platte, NE

Sunrise   
                     Central Daylight Time          

        Begin civil twilight       7:35 a.m.                 
        Sunrise                    8:03 a.m.                 
        Sun transit                1:28 p.m.                 
        Sunset                     6:52 p.m.                 
        End civil twilight         7:20 p.m.               

Weather Details

1200Z 500 mb Map



1215Z GOES IR Image and CLEX-9 22 Oct 2001 Target Region


 




1200Z North Platte, NE Sounding


 







 

Aircraft Operations

• UW King Air Operations: Total time aloft was 4 hours (with 2.5 of that devoted to sampling cloud).

North Platte, NE Ground Operations

• Ground Instrument Status: Everything working well
  

Data Collection Highlights:

• Summary: Updated as soon as possible