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
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
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.