/U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. FCM-P12-1989 United States.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. United States.Office of Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research, Hurricanes Atlantic Coast (U.S.) Periodicals. Hurricanes Gulf Coast (U.S.) Periodicals. Hurricanes Atlantic States Periodicals. Hurricanes Gulf States Periodicals. Meteorological services Atlantic Coast (U.S.) Periodicals. Meteorological services Gulf Coast (U.S.) Periodicals. Meteorological services Atlantic States Periodicals. Meteorological services Gulf States Periodicals. ETRLGCSEVEANSPO iNG RESEARCH X- - C.: :. C S X it: '. "¢" "?' '?"*"*?i *,. INFORMATION.R Operations Plan : FCM-P12-1989 i, ington, DCIR .U485 THE FEDERAL COMMITTEE FOR METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH (FCMSSR) DR. WILLIAM E. EVANS, Chairman MR. ROBERT H. MORRIS Department of Commerce Federal Emergency Management Agency MR. EWEN M. WILSON DR. LENNARD A. FISK Department of Agriculture National Aeronautics and Space Administration DR. GEORGE P. MILLBURN Department of Defense DR. ROBERT W. CORELL National Science Foundation VACANT Department of Energy MR. WILLIAM G. LAYNOR National Transportion Safety DR. WAYNE N. MARCHANT Board Department of Interior DR. DENWOOD F. ROSS DR. LISLE A. ROSE U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Department of State MR. H. MATTHEW BILLS MR. NEAL A. BLAKE Environmental Protection Agency Department of Transportation MR. ROBERT L. CARNAHAN MR. DAVID TORNQUIST Federal Coordinator for Meteorology Office of Management and Budget DR. JAMES A. ALMAZAN, Executive Secretary Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH (ICMSSR) MR. ROBERT L. CARNAHAN, Chairman MR. NEAL THAYER Federal Coordinator U.S. Coast Guard Department of Transportation DR. NORTON D. STROMMEN Department of Agriculture MR. FRANCIS A. SCHIERMEIER Environmental Protection Agency DR. RONALD D. McPHERSON Department of Commerce MR. ROBERT T. JASKE Federal Emergency Management Agency COL TED S. CRESS, USAF Department of Defense DR. SHELBY TILFORD National Aeronautics and Space DR. HARRY MOSES Administration- Department of Energy DR. RICHARD S. GREENFIELD MR. LEWIS T. MOORE National Science Foundation Department of Interior MR. JAMES C. McLEAN, JR DR. LISLE A. ROSE National Transportation Safety Board Department of State MR. ROBERT A. KORNASIEWICZ MR. RICHARD J. HEUWINKEL U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Federal Aviation Administration Department of Transportation MR. DAVID TORNQUIST Office of Management and Budget DR. JAMES A. ALMAZAN, Executive Secretary Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research FEDERAL COORDINATOR FOR METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH 11426 Rockville Pike, Suite 300 Rockville, Maryland 20852 NATIONAL HURRICANE OPERATIONS PLAN U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA CGASIAL SERVICES CENTER i'234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE r.,,.... ChARLESTON SC 29405-2413 FCM-P12-1989 April 1989 Property of CSC Library Washington, D.C. CHANGE AND REVIEW LOG Use this page to record changes and notices of reviews. Change Page Date Initial Number Numbers Posted 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 Changes are indicated by a vertical line in the margin next to the change. Review Comments Initial Date ___ --____ -__ -_________ -_______ -__ -___ -____-_-__-_- ____________ FOREWORD This publication is the 27th edition of the National Hurricane Operations Plan (NHOP). It reflects the procedures and agreements reached at the 43rd Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference (IHC), which was held at the U.S. Air Force Conference Center, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, January 10-13, 1989. Details of the conference can be found in the minutes published by this office. The conference is sponsored annually by the Working Group for Hurricanes and Winter Storms Operations, Committee for Basic Services of the Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. It brings together the cognizant Federal agencies to reach agreement on items of mutual interest and concern related to hurricane forecasting and warning services. The host for the conference was Headquarters, Air Weather Service, Scott Air.Force Base, Illinois. The significant changes in content in this edition of the NHOP reflect the anticipated improvement in aerial reconnissance sensing of tropical cyclones resulting from the availability of the Improved Weather Reconnaissance System (IWRS). The first production article of the IRWS was installed on a 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aircraft 65-0966H in December, 1988. Additional systems are scheduled to be installed during 1989. Robertarnahan Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Reseach NATIONAL HURRICANE OPERATIONS PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHANGE AND REVIEW LOG ..................................... ii FOREWORD .................................................. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................... v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................... viii LIST OF TABLES ........................................... x CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. General ................................. 1-1 1.2. Scope ................................... 1-1 CHAPTER 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COOPERATING FEDERAL AGENCIES 2.1. General ................................. 2-1 2.2. DOC Responsibilities .................... 2-1 2.3. DOD Responsibilities .................... 2-3 2.4. DOT Responsibilities ....................2-4 2.5. Annual Liaison with Other Nations ....... 2-4 2.6. Air Traffic Control/Flight Operations Coordination ........................... 2-4 CHAPTER 3. GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HURRICANE CENTERS 3.1. General ................................. 3-1 32Prdcs.............. ..* 3-1 3.3. Designation of Tropical and Subtropical Cyclones ................. 3. 3.4. Transfer of Warning Responsibility ...... 3-6 3.5. Alternate Warning Responsibilities ...... 3-11 3.6. Abbreviated Communications Headings ..... 3-11 CHAPTER 4. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRODUCTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 4.1. General ................................. 4-1 4.2. Observations ............................ 4-1 4.3. Marine Advisories ;:::::::::::::::::::::4-1 v CHAPTER 5. AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE 5.1. General ................................. 5-1 5.2. Responsibilities ........................5-1 5.3. Control of Aircraft .. .................... 5-2 5.4. Reconnaissance Requirements ... .......... 5-2 5.5. Reconnaissance Planning and Flight Notification . ,., , , 5-7 5.6. Reconnaissance Effectiveness Criteria ... 5-15 5.7. Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Encoding, Reporting, and Coordination ............. 5-16 5.8. Operational Flight Patterns ..... ........ 5-19 5.9. Aircraft Reconnaissance Communications .. 5-24 CHAPTER 6. SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL CYCLONES 6.1. Satellites ........ ...................... 6-1 6.2. National Weather Service Support ........ 6-1 6.3. NESDIS Synoptic Analyis Branch .......... 6-4 6.4. AFGWC Support and the Defense Meteor- ological Satellite Program ..... ......... 6-5 6.5. Satellites and Satellite Data Availability for the Current Hurricane Season ........ 6-5 6.6. Current Intensity and Tropical Class- ification Number ........................ 6-5 CHAPTER 7. SURFACE RADAR REPORTING 7.1. General ................................. 7-1 7.2. Procedures .............................. 7-1 7.3. Special Provisions ...................... 7-2 CHAPTER 8. NATIONAL DATA BUOY CENTER REPORTING STATIONS 8.1. General .... ............................. 8-1 8.2. Requests for Drifting Buoy Deployment ... 8-1 8.3. Communications .......... ....................... 8-2 CHAPTER 9. MARINE WEATHER BROADCASTS 9.1. General ................................. 9-1 9.2. Broadcast Procedures .................... 9-1 CHAPTER 10. PUBLICITY 10.1. News Media Releases ................... 10-1 10.2. Distribution .......................... 10-1 APPENDIX A. ABBREVIATIONS ............................... A-1 APPENDIX B. GLOSSARY .................................... B-1 APPENDIX C. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF OFFICIAL INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS .................................. C-1 vi APPENDIX D. DISTRIBUTION ............................... D-1 APPENDIX E. SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE .............. E-1 APPENDIX F. PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION LISTING .............. F-1 APPENDIX G. RECCO, MINOB, AND TEMP DROP CODES, TABLES, AND REGULATIONS ............................. G-1 APPENDIX H. TELEPHONE AND TELETYPE LISTING .............. H-1 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1-1. Tropical cyclone forecast centers' areas of responsibility . .................................... 1-2 2-1. Hurricane Gilbert, September 13, 1988, 2131 UTC ... 2-6 4-1. Marine advisory format. ............................ 4-3 4-2. Hurricane Joan, October 22, 1988, 0601 UTC. ........ 4-4 5-1. Form 3--Vortex data message. ........................ 5-5 5-2. Form 4--Supplementary vortex data message. ......... 5-6 5-3. Form 1--NHOP coordinated request for aircraft reconnaissance ..................................... 5-8 5-4. USAF WC-130 weather reconnaissance aircraft equipped with the Improved Weather Reconnaissance System ... 5-13 5-5. Form 2--Tropical cyclone plan of the day format ... 5-14 5-6. Form 5--Mission evaluation form. ................... 5-17 5-7. Flight patterns ALPHA and modified ALPHA. .......... . 5-20 5-8. Recommended pattern ALPHA execution. ............... 5-21 5-9. Flight pattern DELTA. .............................. 5-23 5-10. Schematic of aircraft to satellite data link for NOAA P-3 aircraft. ............................. 5-26 5-11. Schematic of aircraft to satellite data link for USAF WC-130 aircraft. .............................. 5-29 6-1. GOES central data distribution system. ............. 6-4 6-2. Sample satellite tropical disturbance summary. ..... 6-6 v i i i 6-3. Center fix data form and message format (satellite) . ....................................... 6-7 8-1. A drifting data buoy. .............................. 8-4 8-2. Drifting data buoy deployment patterns. ............ 8-4 8-3. NDBC buoy locations. ............................... 8-5 8-4. C-MAN sites. ....................................... 8-7 G-1. Reconnaissance code recording form. ................. G-2 G-2. Sample MINOB message. .............................. G-6 ix LIST OF TABLES Table Page 3-1. Watch and warning break points. .................... 3-4 3-2. Atlantic tropical cyclone names. .................. 3-7 3-3. Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone names. .......... 3-8 3-4. Central Pacific tropical cyclone names. .......... 3-9 3-5. Western Pacific tropical cyclone names. .......... 3-10 5-1. Vortex data message entry explanation .......... . 5-9 5-2. Surface pressure as a function of 850-hPa height. 5-22 5-3. ASDL data transmission schedule. ................. 5-28 6-1. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season. ........................ 6-2 6-2. Communications headings for satellite tropical disturbance summaries . ............................. ......... 6-8 6-3. The empirical relationship between the C.I. number and the maximum wind speed and the relationship between the T-number and the minimum sea-level pressure ......................................... 6-8 7-1. Participating radar stations. ..................... 7-3 8-1. Data buoy locations and configuration. ........... 8-3 8-2. C-MAN sites. ............................. ....... 8-5 8-3. Code forms for moored data buoys, C-MAN stations, and drifting buoys. ............................ 8-8 9-1. Marine tropical cyclone forecast broadcast stations . ........................................ 9-1 G-1. Reconnaissance code tables ...................... G-3 G-2. Reconnaissance code regulations. ................. G-5 G-3. MINOB message format and breakdown. .............. G-7 G-4. TEMP DROP code breakdown. ........................ G-8 x CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1. General. The tropical cyclone warning service is an interdepartmental effort to provide the United States and designated international recipients with forecasts, warnings, and assessments concerning tropical and subtropical weather systems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce is reponsible for providing forecasts a-nd warnings for the Atlantic and Eastern and Central Pacific Oceans while the Department of Defense provides the same for the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean (see Figure 1-1.) Interdepartmental cooperation achieves economy and efficiency in the operation of the tropical cyclone warning service. This plan provides the basis for implementing agreements of the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and the Department of Transportation reached at the annual Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference (combined Atlantic and Eastern Pacific). The Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference is sponsored by the Committee for Basic Services of the Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research to bring together cognizant Federal agencies and achieve agreement on items of mutual concern related to the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone warning services. 1.2. Scpe The procedures and agreements contained herein apply to t e Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and North Pacific Ocean east of the 180th meridian. This plan is intended to define the role of the individual agencies participating in the tropical cyclone warning service when more than one agency is involved in the delivery of service in any specific area. When a single agency is involved in any specific area, that agency's procedures should be contained in internal documents and, to the extent possible, be consistent with National Hurricane QOerations Plan practices and procedures. JTVCC WESTERN PACIFIC . , AZORS I-N Note Places underlined are Tropical Cycludone Forecast Cenrs.ribbean, Figure 1-1. Tropical cyclone forecast centers' areas Gulf of responsibity.co) CNRLPACIFIC EATRN PACIFIC Me:te Places underlined are , ,,,alCylone Fore sl etes Figure 1-1. Tropical cyclone foreca-st centers' areas of responsibity. CHAPTER 2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF COOPERATING FEDERAL AGENCIES 2.1. General. The Department of Commerce (DOC) is charged with the overall responsibility to implement a responsive, effective national tropical cyclone warning service. Many local, state, a nd Federal agencies play a vital role in this system--their cooperative efforts help ensure necessary preparedness actions are undertaken to minimize loss of life and destruction of property. The joint participation by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) with the Department of Commerce brings to bear those limited and expensive Federal resources considered essential for storm detection and accurate forecasting. This cooperative effort has proven to be a cost effective, highly responsive endeavor to meet national requirements for tropical cyclone warning i nformati on. 2.2. DOC Responsibilities. The DOC will 2.2.1. Provide timely dissemination of forecasts, 'warnings, and all significant information regarding tropical and subtropical cyclones to appropriate agencies, general public, and marine and aviation interests. 2.2.2. Through the National Weather S ervice (NWS), provide the following additional support services to the DOD: 2.2.2.1. Consult, as necessary, with DOD regarding their day-to-day requirements for cyclone assessments and attempt to meet these requirements within the capabilities of the tropical cyclone warning service. 2.2.2.2. Prepare, though the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and distribute to DOD the coordinated DOC reconnaissance and other meteorological data requirements to be provided by DOD on tropical or subtropical cyclones and disturbances. 2.2.2.3. Provide facilities, administrative support, and dissemination of weather observation data for Operating Location G (OL-G), 7th Weather Wing (7WW) as agreed to by DOC is and DOD. 2-1 2.2.2.4. Provide DOD with basic meteorological information, warnings, forecasts, and associated prognostic reasoning concerning location, intensity, and forecast movement of tropical and subtropical cyclones in the following maritime areas and adjacent states and possessions of the United States: 2.2.2.4.1. Atlantic Ocean (north of the equator including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico)--advisories are the responsibility of the Director, NHC, Miami, FL. The NHC will consult with the Naval Eastern Oceanography Center, Norfolk, VA, prior to issuing initial and final advisories and prior to issuing any advisory that indicates a significant change in forecast of intensity or track from the previous advisory. Exchange of information is encouraged on subsequent warnings when significant changes are made or otherwise required. 2.2.2.4.g. Eastern Pacific Ocean (north of the equator and east of 140 W)--advisories are the responsibility of the Director, NHC. The NHC will consult with the Naval Western Oceanography Center (NAVWESTOCEANCEN), Pearl Harbor, HI, prior to issuing initial and final advisories and prior to issuing any advisory that indicates a significant change in forecast of intensity or track from the previous advisory. Exchange of information is encouraged on subsequent warnings when significant changes are made or otherwise required. 2.2.g.4.3. Central Pacific Ocean (north of the equator between 140 W and 180°)--advisories are the responsibility of the Director, Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC), Honolulu, HI. The CPHC will consult with the NAVWESTOCEANCEN and Detachment 4, 20th Weather Squadron, Hickam AFB, HI, prior to issuing initial and final advisories and prior to issuing any advisory that indicates a significant change in forecast of intensity or track from the previous advisory. Exchange of information is encouraged on subsequent warnings when significant changes are made or otherwise required. 2.2.3. Through the NWS, conduct an annual post analysis for all tropical cy1lones in the Atlantic and the Pacific regions east of 180 and prepare an annual hurricane report to issue to interested agencies. 2.2.4. Through the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service operate DOC environmental satellite systems capable of providing coverage of meteorological conditions in the tropics during the tropical cyclone season and monitor and interpret DOC satellite imagery. Obtain, as 2-2 necessary, National Aeronautics and Space Administration research and development satellite and DOD operational satellite data for NWS operational use. Comply with NHC and CPHC satellite data requirements. 2.2.5. Through the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), develop, deploy, and operate environmental data buoy systems and automated coastal stations to support data requirements of the NHC and CPHC. 2.2.6. Through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Aircraft Operations (OAO), provide weather reconnaissance flights as specified in Chapter 5, unless relieved of these responsibilities by the Administrator of NOAA. 2.3. DOD Responsibilities. The DOD will 2.3.1. Provide NWS with timely dissemination of significant information received regarding tropical and subtropical cyclones. 2.3.2. Provide NHC and CPHC current DOD requirements for tropical and subtropical cyclone advisories. 2.3.3. Meet DOC requirements for aircraft reconnaissance and other special observations as agreed to by DOD and DOC (see Appendix C). 2.3.4.- Provide at NHC a 24-hr aircraft operation interface--Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordinator, All Hurricanes. ] 2.3.5. Designate OL-G, 7WW as the liaison to NHC and the military point of co'ntact for NHC to request special DOD observations in support of this plan, i.e., Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) fixes, additional upper- air observations, etc. 2.3.6.' Provide broadcast facilities of radio station NAM for tropical storm and hurricane forecasts and warnings. 2.3.7. Provide access to North American Aerospace Defense Command long-range radar sites (see Chapter 7). 2.3.8. Provide weather reconnaissance data monitor services to evaluate and disseminate reconnaissance reports. 2.3.9. Provide, through Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB, NE, surveillance support and fixes and/or intensity 2-3 estimates to all United States tropical cyclone warning agencies through analysis of satellite imagery obtained primarily from the DMSP system. 2.4. DOT Responsibilities. The DOT will 2.4.1. Provide NWS with timely dissemination of significant information received regarding tropica'l and subtropical cyclones. 2.4.2. Provide, through the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control, communications, and flight assi stance services. 2.4.3. Provide the following through the U.S. Coast Guard: * Personnel, vessel, and communication supp ort to the NDBC for development, deployment, and operation of moored enviromental data buoy systems; * Surface observations to NWS from its coastal facilities and vessels; * Communications circuits for relay of weather observations to NWS in selected areas; * Primary guard Automated Digital Network support to OL-G, 7WW; and *Coastal broadcast facilities at selected locations for tropical storm or hurricane forecasts and warnings. 2.5. Annual Liaison with Other Nations. The DOD, DOC, and DOT will cooperate in arranging an annual trip to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico area to carry out a continuing and effective liaison of the warning service with the directors of meteorological services, air traffic control agencies, and disaster preparedness agencies of nations in those areas. 2.6. Air Traffic Control/Fliqht Operations Coordination. The operations officers of the principal flying units, the Assistant Manager for Traffic Management, Traffic Management Branch, Air Traffic Control Command Center, Central Flow Control Facility, Washington, D.C., and the assistant managers for traffic management or assistant manager for military operations, as appropriate, at key air route traffic control centers (ARTCC) will maintain a close working relationship on a continuing basis to ensure mission' success under actual tropical storm conditions. This will involve visits to each other's0 2-4 facilities, familiarization flights, and telephone and teletype communications to improve the understanding of each other's requirements and capabilities. 2.6.1. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the 815th Weather Operations Flight, and OAO operations officers will maintain a close working relationship with the Air Traffic Control Command Center, Central Flow Control Facility, and the appropriate ARTCCs and the Fleet Aerial Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) for the coordination of weather reconnaissance flights in the Gulf of Mexico and over the Caribbean Sea in particular, and in the United States in general. The operations officers will 2.6.1.1. Request the assistance of the appropriate ARTCC/FACSFAC in support of the National Hurricane Operations Plan. 2.6.1.2. Provide the current operations officer's name and telephone number to the appropriate ARTCC and FACSFAC. 2.6.1.3. Publish the unit's telephone numbers (Federal Telephone System (FTS)/Automated Voice Network (AUTOVON (AV))/ Commercial) and teletype address code for Service B (Appendix H). 2.6.2. The Air Traffic Control Command Center, appropriate ARTCCs, and FACSFAC will maintain a close working relationship with the weather reconnaissance units and provide airspace and air traffic control assistance to the extent possible. Those organizations will 2.6.2.1. Provide the current names and telephone numbers of points of contact to the flying units. 2.6.2.2. Publish telephone numbers (FTS/AV/Commercial) and teletype code for Service B (Appendix H). 2-5 21n1 13E 8 19A-1 0449416401 MA19N82W-1 Figure 2-1. Hurricane Gilbert, September 13, 1988, 2131 UTC. 2-6; wR | k X | | g *7 E i4 Fly 4 Figure 2-1. Hurricane Gilbert, September 13, 1988, 2131 UTC. 2 -6 CHAPTER 3 GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HURRICANE CENTERS 3.1. General. This chapter describes the products, procedures, and communications headers used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). 3.2. Products. 3.2.1. Tropical Weather Outlook (TWO). Tropical weather outlooks are issued by the NHC and CPHC during their respective hurricane seasons. The NHC writes TWOs in both the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. They are transmitted at 0530, 1130, 1730, and 2230 Eastern Local Time in the Atlantic and at 0400, 1000, 1600, and 2200 Pacific Local Time in the Eastern Pacific. In the Central Pacific TWOs are transmitted by the CPHC at 1000 and 2200 UTC. The outlook briefly describes both stable and potentially unstable areas out to 48 hr. A tropical weather summary of Atlantic tropical cyclone activity will be prepared and issued at the end of each month during the hurricane season. 3.2.2. Tropical Cyclone Discussion. 3.2.2.1. The NHC will issue a tropical cyclone discussion on Atlantic tropical cyclones at 0330, 0930, 1530, and 2130 UTC, and on Eastern Pacific tropical cyclones at 0230, 0830, 1430, and 2030 UTC. Discussions will be disseminated for intragovernmental use only and will contain preliminary prognostic positions up to 72 hr; will describe objective techniques, synoptic features, and climatology used; and will provide reasons for track changes. 3.2.2.2. The CPHC will issue a tropical cyclone discussion twice daily not later than 0330 and 1530 UTC. The discussions will describe objective techniques, synoptic features, and climatology used and will provide reasons for track changes. 3.2.3. Public Advisories. Public advisories are issued by the NHC for all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic. In the Eastern Pacific, public advisories are issued by NHC for tropical cyclones that are expected to affect land within 48 hr. In the Central Pacific, public advisories are issued by CPHC for all tropical cyclones within the area of responsibility. 3-1 Scheduled public advisories are issued at the same time scheduled marine advisories are issued. However, when NHC is issuing advisories every three hours in the Atlantic, the 0400 UTC public advisory will be issued at 0230 UTC to ensure that the latest information is available for the heavily-watched evening local news shows. Watch and warning break points are listed in Table 3-1. [Note: Public advisories use statute miles for distance and miles per hour for speed. Nautical miles and knots may be added at the discretion of the centers.] 3.2.4. Marine Advisories. Marine advisories are issued by the NHC and the CPHC. See Section 4.3 for content and format of the advisories. Marine advisories will be transmitted to high-seas shipping according to the details found in Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts, jointly published by the U.S. Navy and National Weather Service. In the Atlantic, these advisories should be distributed 30 min before their effective times of 0400, 1000, 1600, and 2200 UTC. In the Pacific the advisories are scheduled for 0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 UJTC for position times of 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1,800 UTC, respectively. Pacific advisories should be transmitted 15 min before the effective time. 3.2.5. Probability of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Conditions. 3.2.5.1. The probability of the storm center passing0 within 50 mi to the right or 75 mi to the left of specific forecast points within 24, 36, 48, and 72 hr is included in the public advisories for all named storms in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Probabilities may also be included for yet to be named storms that are developing rapidly near a coastline, dependent upon NHC assessment. Probabilities will not be included on intermediate public advisories. The probabilities, which are based on the official forecast track, will be issued when the 72-hr forecast position approaches the coast and will continue until the hurricane or tropical storm has made landfall and is not expected to reemerge over water. For storms forecast to paralled the coast, the maximum value over water points will be included. The NHC retains the right to discontinue issuance of probabilities earlier if other factors arise, such as difficulties with evacuation orders. 3.2.5.2. The probabilities will be computed shortly after synoptic times for the periods 0-24, 24-36, 36-48, and 48-72. hr. A total probability for the next 72 hr will be shown in the last column and represents a total of all forecast periods. If the probability of a storm hitting a coastal location within 48 hr is needed, add the 0-24, 24-36, and the 36-48 hr probabilities. If the probability for a location is less than one percent, an X will be indicated in the table. 3 -2 3.2.5.3. When appropriate, specific probabilities will be computed for the following locations: Brownsville, TX West Palm Beach, FL Corpus Christi, TX Fort Pierce, FL Port O'Connor, TX Cocoa Beach, FL Galveston, TX Daytona Beach, FL Port Arthur, TX Jacksonville, FL New Iberia, LA Savannah, GA New Orleans, LA Myrtle Beach, SC Buras, LA Charleston, SC Gulfport, MS Wilmington, NC Mobile, AL Cape Hatteras, NC Pensacola, FL Ocean City, MD Panama City, FL Atlantic City, NJ Apalachicola, FL Norfolk, VA St. Marks, FL New York City, NY Cedar Key, FL Montauk Point, NY Tampa, FL Providence, RI Venice, FL Nantucket, MA Fort Myers, FL Hyannis, MA Marco Island, FL Boston, MA Key West, FL Portland, ME Marathon, FL Bar Harbor, ME Mi8mi, FL0 Eastport ,0ME 29 0N 85 0W 28N 93 29N 87 0W 280 950 280 890 27 ON960 28ON 91OW 25 ON 97OW 3.2.6. Tropical Cyclone Updates. Tropical cyclone updates are brief statements in lieu of or preceding special advisories to inform of significant changes in a tropical cyclone or the posting * or-cancelling of watches and warnings. 3.2.7. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Tropical Cyclone Position Estimates. The NHC may also issue hourly tropical cyclone position estimates when the tropical cyclone is under effective surveillance and within 200 nmi of land-based radar. These estimates, when issued, will be prepared a short time before each hour except at hours when advisories are issued. Position estimates disseminated to the public, DOD, and other Federal agencies will provide geographical positions in latitude and longitude and also by distance and direction from a well-known poi nt. 3.2.8. Special Tropical Disturbance Statement. Special tropical disturbance statements may be issued to furnish O information on strong formative, non-depression systems. 3-3 Table 3-1. Watch and warning break points. 1. Brownsville, TX 48. Vero Beach, FL 2. Port Mansfield, TX 49. Sebastian Inlet, FL 3. Baffin Bay, TX 50. Cocoa Beach, FL 4. Corpus Chisti, TX 51. Titusville, FL 5. Port Aransas, TX 52. New Smyrna, FL 6. Port O'Connor, TX 53. St. Augustine, Fl 7. Matagorda, TX 54. Fernandina Beach, FL 8. Freeport, TX 55. Brunswick (Atlamaha Sound), GA 9. High Island, TX 56. Savannah, GA 10. Port Arthur, TX 57. Edisto Beach, SC 11. Sabine Pass, TX 58. Cape Romain, SC 12. Cameron, LA 59. Little River Inlet, SC 13. Morgan City, LA 60. Cape Fear, NC 14. Grand Isle, LA 61. Topsail Beach, NC 15. Mouth of Mississippi River, LA 62. Bogue Inlet, NC 16. Mouth of Pearl River, LA 63. Cape Lookout, NC 17. Gulfport, MS 64. Ocracoke Inlet, NC 18. Mobile, AL 65. Cape Hatteras, NC 19. Pensocola, FL 66. Oregon Inlet, NC 20. Fort Walton, FL 67. Albemarle Sound, NC 21. Panama City, FL 68. Virginia Beach, VA 22. Apalachicola, FL 69. Cape Charles, VA 23. St. Marks, FL 70. North Chesapeake Bay, MD 24. Aucilla River, FL 71. South Chesapeake Bay, MD 25. Steinhatchee River, FL 72. Chincoteague, VA 26. Suwannee River, FL 73. Cape Henlopen, DE 27. Cedar Key, FL 74. Fenwick Island, DE 28. Yankeetown, FL 75. Cape May, NJ 29. Bay Port, FL 76. Brigatine, NJ 30. Anclote Key, FL 77. Sandy Hook, NJ 31. Long Boat Key, FL 78. Manasquan, NJ 32. Venice, FL 79. Fire Island, LI, NY 33. Boca Grande, FL 80. Montauk Point, LI, NY 34. Fort Myers, FL 81. Port Jefferson Harbor, LI, NY 35. Bonita Beach, FL 82. New Haven, CT 36. Everglades City, FL 83. Watch Hill, RI 37. Flamingo, FL 84. Point Judith, RI 38. Seven Mile Bridge, FL 85. Woods Hole, MA 39. Craig Key, FL 86. Chatham, MA 40. Key Largo, FL 87. Plymouth, MA 41. Hallandale, FL 88. Gloucester, MA 42. Deerfield Beach, FL 89. Merrimack River, MA 43. Boyton Beach, FL 90. Portsmouth, NH 44. Lake Worth, FL 91. Portland, ME 45. Jupiter Inlet, FL 92. Rockland, ME 46. Stuart, FL 93. Bar Harbor, ME 47. Fort Pierce, FL 94. Eastport, ME 3-4 3.2.9. Storm Summaries. Storm summaries are written by the National Severe Storms Forecast Center after subtropical and tropical cyclones have moved inland and public advisories have been discontinued. Storm summaries will continue to be numbered in sequence with public advisories on named storms. Also, these summaries will reference the former storm's name and be issued as long as the remnants of the storm remain a serious flooding threat. Storm summaries will be transmitted at 0500, 1100, 1700, and 2300 UTC. 3.2.10. Satellite Tropical Disturbance Summary. These are issued twice a day by the CPHC to describe significant weather in the tropical regions of the Central Pacific. World Meteorological Organization contractions are used. 3.2.11. Satellite Interpretation Message. These are issued four times a day by the NHC and the National Meteorological Center in Washington to describe synoptic features and significant weather areas. Federal Aviation Administration contractions are used. 3.2.12. Tropical Weather Discussion. These are issued four * times a day by the NHC. They describe significant features from the latest surface analysis and significant weather areas for 0the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and between the eq8ator and 320N in both the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific east of 140 W. Plain lanuage is used. 3.2.13. Tropical Disturbance Rainfall Estimates. As required, the NHC issues satellite based rainfall estimates for tropical disturbances and tropical cyclones within 36 hr of expected landfall-for the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and both coasts of Mexico. 3.3. Designation of Tropical and Subtropical Cyclones. 3.3.1. Numbering of Depressions. Each depression will be assigned a number that will be retained throughout the life of the cyclone. This depression number will not, however, be disseminated on advisories after a depression is named as a tropical storm or hurricane. For each hurricane center's area, numbering will begin with ONE at the start of each calendar year. When forecast responsibility is passed from one warning center to another, the assi gned number will be retained. 3.3.1.1. For the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, depression numbers with the suffix A, e.g., ONE-A, TWO-A, THREE-A, will be assigned by the NHC after advising the Navy * Eastern Oceanography Center, Norfolk. 3- 5 3.3.1.2. For the Pacific east of 140°W, depression numbers, with the suffix E, e.g., ONE-E, TWO-E, THREE-E, will be assigned by the NHC after advising the Navy Western Oceanography Center (NAVWESTOCEANCEN), Pearl Harbor. 0 3.3.1.3. For the Pacific west of 140°W and east of 180 , depression numbers, with suffix C, e.g., ONE-C, TWO-C, THREE-C, will be assigned after advising the NAVWESTOCEANCEN, Pearl Harbor. 3.3.2. Naming of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. 3.3.2.1. Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. A different set of names will be used each year. After a set is used, it will drop to the end of the list to be used again in six years. Names of significant hurricanes will be retired and replaced. Lists of Atlantic and Eastern Pacific names are provided in Tables 3-2 and 3-3, respectively. 3.3.2.2. Central Pacific. When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical storm or hurricane between 140 W and 180 , the depression number will be discontinued and replaced by an appropriate name. The CPHC will select the name from the list of Central Pacific names in Table 3-4. All of the names listed in each column, beginning with column 1, will be used before going on to the next column. 80 3.3.2.3. Western Pacific. For the Pacific west of 180 , tropical storms and typhoons are named by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Guam. The names listed in Table 3-5 are for information only. 3.4. Transfer of Warninq ResDonsibilitv. o0 3.4.1. When a tropical or subtropical cyclone approaches 140 W, the coordinated transfer of warning responsibility from the NHC to the CPHC will be made and the appropriate advisory issued. 3.4.2. When a tropical or subtropical cyclone crosses 1800 from east to west, the coordinated transfer of warning responsibility from CPHC to JTWC through NAVWESTOCEANCEN, Pearl Harbor, will be made and the appropriate advisory issued. 3.4.3. When a tropical or subtropical cyclone crosses 1800 from west to east, the coordinated transfer of warning responsi- bility from JTWC to CPHC will be made through NAVWESTOCEANCEN, Pearl Harbor. The JTWC will append the statement, "Next advisory by CPHC-HNL." to their last advisory. 3-6 Table 3-2. Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 ALLISON ARTHUR ANA ANDREW ARLENE ALBERTO BARRY BERTHA BOB BONNIE BRET BERYL CHANTAL CESAR CLAUDETTE CHARLEY CINDY CHRIS DEAN DIANA DANNY DANIELLE DENNIS DEBBY ERIN EDOUARDQ ERIKA EARL EMILY ERNESTO FELIX FRAN FABIAN FRANCES FLOYD FLORENCE GABRIELLE GUSTAV GLORIA GEORGES GERT * HUGO HORRTENSE HENRI HERMINE HARVEY HELENE IRIS ISIDORE ISABEL IVAN IRENE ISSAC JERRY JOSEPHINE JUAN JEANNE JOSE * KAREN KLAUS KATE KARL KATRINA KEITH LUIS LILI LARRY LISA LENNY LESLIE MARILYN MARCO MINDY MITCH MARIA MICHAEL NOEL NANA NICHOLAS NICOLE NATE NADINE OPAL OMAR ODETTE OTTO OPHELIA OSCAR PABLO PALOMA PETER PAULA PHILIPPE PATTY ROXANNE RENE ROSE RICHARD RITA RAFAEL SEBASTIEN SALLY SAM SHARY STAN SANDY TANYA TEDDY TERESA TOMAS TAMMY TONY VAN VICKY VICTOR VIRGINIE VINCE VALERIE WENDY WILFRED WANDA WALTER WILMA WILLIAM *Replacement names determined at the WMO Region IV meeting in April, 1989 will be inserted. Table 3-3. Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone names. 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 ADOLPH ALMA ANDRES AGATHA ADRIAN ALETTA BARBARA BORIS BLANCA BLAS BEATRIZ BUD COSME CRISTINA CARLOS CELIA CALVIN CARLOTTA DALILIA DOUGLAS DELORES DARBY DORA DANIEL ERICK ELIDA ENRIQUE ESTELLE EUGENE EMILIA FLOSSIE FAUSTO " FEFA FRANK FERNANDA FABIO GIL GENEVIEVE GUILLERMO GEORGETTE GREG GILMA HENRIETTE HERNAN HILDA HOWARD HILARY HECTOR ISMAEL ISELLE IGNACIO ISIS IRWIN * JULIETTE JULIO JIMENA JAVIER JOVA JOHN KIKO KENNA KEVIN KAY KNUT KRISTY LORENA LOWELL LINDA LESTER LIDIA LANE 6 - MANUEL MARIE MARTY MADELINE MAX MIRIAM NARDA NORBERT NORA NEWTON NORMA NORMAN OCTAVE ODILE OLAF ORLENE OTIS OLIVIA PRISCILLA POLO PAULINE PAINE PILAR PAUL RAYMOND RACHEL RICK ROSLYN RAMON ROSA SONIA SIMON SANDRA SEYMOUR SELMA SERGIO TICO TRUDY TERRY TINA TODD TARA VELMA VANCE VIVIAN VIRGIL VERONICA VICENTE WINNIE WALLIS WALDO WINIFRED WILEY WILLA XINA XAVIER XINA XAVIER XINA XAVIER YORK YOLANDA YORK YOLANDA YORK YOLANDA ZELDA ZEKE ZELDA ZEKE ZELDA ZEKE If over 24 tropical cyclones occur in a year, then the Greek alphabet will be used following ZEKE or ZELDA. *Replacement name determined at the WMO Region IV meeting, April, 1989, will be inserted. Table 3-4. Central Pacific tropical cyclone names. COLUMN I COLUMN 2 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4 NAME PRONUNCIATION NAME PRONUNCIATION NAME PRONUNCIATION NAME PRONUNCIATION AKONI ah-KOH-nee AKA. AH-kak -ALIKA ah-LEE-kah ANA AH-nah EMA EH-mah EKEKA eh-KEH-kak ELE EH-leh ELA EH-lah HANA HAH-nah HALI HAH-lee 'HUKO HOO-koh HALOLA hah-LOH-lah 10 EE-oo INIKI ee-NEE-kee IOKE ee-OH-keh IUNE ee-00-neh KELI KEH-lee KEONI keh-OH-nee KIKA KEE-kah KIMO KEE-moh LALA LAH-lah LI LEE LANA LAH-nah LOKE LOH-keh MOKE MOH-keh MELE MEH-leh MAKA MAH-kah MALIA mah-LEE-ah 'NELE NEH-leh NONA NOH-nah NEKI NEH-kee NIAL-A nee-AH-lah OKA OH-kah OLIWA oh-LEE-Yah OLEKA oh-LEH-kah OKO OH-koh PEKE PEH-keh PAKA PAH-kah PENI PEH-nee PALI PAH-lee ULEKI oo-LEH-kee UPANA oo-PAH-nah ULIA oo-LEE-.ah ULIKA oo-LEE-kah WILA VEE-lah WENE WEH-neh WALI WAH-lee WALAKA wah-LAH-kah NOTE: Use Column I list of names until exhausted before going to Column 2, etc. ALL letters in the Hawaiian language are pronounced including double or triple vowels Table 3-5. Western Pacific tropical cyclone names. COLUMN I COLUMN 2 COLUMN 3 COLUMN 4 ANGELA ABE AMY AXEL BRIAN BECKY BRENDAN BOBBIE COLLEEN CECIL CAITLIN CHUCK DAN DOT DOUG DEANNA ELSIE ED ELLIE ELI FORREST FLO FRED FAYE GAY GENE GLADYS GARY HUNT HATTIE HARRY HELEN IRMA IRA IVY IRVING JACK JEANA JOEL JANIS KORYN KYLE KINNA KENT LEWIS LOLA LUKE LOIS MARIAN MIKE MIREILLE MARK NATHAN NELL NAT NINA OFELIA OWEN ORCHID OMAR PERCY PAGE PAT POLLY ROBYN RUSS RUTH RYAN STEVE SHARON SETH SIBYL TASHA TIM THELMA TED VERNON VANESSA VERNE VAL WINONA WALT WILDA WARD YANCY YUNYA YURI YVETTE ZOLA ZEKE ZELDA ZACK NOTE: Names will be assigned in rotation, alphabetically. When the last name, ZACK, has been used the sequence will begin again with ANGELA. This entire list was updated at the 1989 Tropical Cyclone Conference. ( 3.5. Alternate Warning Responsibilities. In the event of impending or actual operational failure of a hurricane forecast center, responsibilities will be transferred to an alternate facility in accordance with existing directives and retained there until resumption of responsibility can be made. The NAVEASTOCEANCEN, Norfolk, will be advised by the NHC and Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordinator, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) of impending or actual transfer of responsibility by the most rapid means available. Alternate facilities are as follows: PRIMARY ALTERNATE NHC National Meteorological Center, Meteorological Operations D Division Washington, DC CPHC NHc CARCAH* Detachment 1, 7th Weather Wing, (Det 1, 7WW) Keesler AFB, MS *In the event of the operational failure of CARCAH, direct communication is authorized between Det 1, 7WW and the forecast facility. Contact Det 1, 7WW at AUTOVON (AV) 868-2544/Commercial (COM) 601-377-2544 or through the Keesler AFB Command Post at AV 868-4330/COM 601-377-4330. 3.6. Abbreviated Communications Headinqs. Abbreviated communications headings are assigned to advisories on tropical and subtropical cyclones and other advisories based on depression numbers or storm name and standard communication procedures. [Note: an abbreviated heading consists of three groups with ONE space between the second and third groups. The first group contains a data type indicator (e.g., WT for hurricane), a geographical indicator (e.g., NT for North Atlantic and Caribbean), and a number. The second group contains a loction identifier of the message originator (e.g., KMIA for Miami). The third group is a date-time group in UTC. An example of a complete header is WTNT31 KMIA 180400.] Abbreviated communication headers for the areas of reponsibility follow: 3.6.1. Atlantic ABNT20 KMIA Tropical Weather Outlook ABNT30 KMIA Tropical Weather Summary (monthly) WTNT41-45 KMIA Tropical Cyclone Discussion 3-11 WTNT31-35 KMIA Public Advisory WTNT21-25 KMIA Marine Advisory WWNT21-25 KMIA Marine Subtropical Storm Advisory WWNT31-35 KMIA Subtropical Storm Advisory WTNT61 KMIA Tropical Cyclone Update WTNT51 KMIA Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate WONT41 KMIA Special Tropical Disturbance Statement WTXX9O KMIA Tropical Cyclone Discussion for WMO Region IV Stations 3.6.2. Eastern and Central Pacific. 3.6.2.1. All advisories on hurricanes, tropical storms, and depressions are under WT abbreviated headings as follows: ABPZ30 KMIA Tropical Weather Summary ABPA30 PHNL Tropical Weather Summary WTPZ21-25 KMIA Marine Advisory WTPA21-25 PHNL Marine Advisory WTPZ31-35 KMIA Public Advisory WTPA31-35 PHNL Public Advisory 3.6.2.2. Depressions are numbered internally and storms are named internally, but the number in the abbreviated headings does not relate to either the internal number of the depression or the name of the storm. The first cyclone would have 21 and 31 in the abbreviated headings, the second cyclone would have 22 and 32, the sixth cyclone would have 21 and 31, etc. The abbreviated heading would not change when a depression was upgraded to storm status. ABPA20 PHNL Tropical Weather Outlook ABPZ20 KMIA Tropical Weather Outlook WTPZ41-45 KMIA Tropical Cyclone Discussion 3-12 WTPA41-45 PHNL Tropical Cyclone Discussion WTPZ51 KMIA Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate WTPA51 PHNL Tropical Cyclone Position Estimate WTPZ61 KMIA Tropical Cyclone Update WTPA61 PHNL Tropical Cyclone Update WOPZ41 KMIA Special Tropical Disturbance Statement WOPA41 PHNL Special Tropical Disturbance Statement WWPA21-25 PHNL Marine Subtropical Storm Advisory WWPZ21-25 KMIA Marine Subtropical Storm Advisory WWPA31-35 PHNL Public Subtropical Storm Advisory WWPZ31-35 KMIA Public Subtropical Storm Advisory 3-13 CHAPTER 4 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRODUCTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 4.1. General. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Commerce (DOC) weather forecasting, reconnaissance, and distri- bution agencies share technical information and some responsibities. Mutually supportive relationships have developed over the years and have resulted into a mutual dependency. Due to the nature and distribution of DOD resources and operations, the DOD requires certain meteorological information beyond that available to the general public. Accordingly, the DOC provides DOD with special observations and advisories on tropical and subtropical storms threatening DOD resources or operations. 4.2. Observations. The National Hurricane Center (NHC)and Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) will make available to DOD all significant tropical and subtropical cyclone observations that they receive. 4.3. Marine Advisories. 4.3.1. General. The NHC and CPHC will provide to DOD forecasts and related information for tropical and subtropical weather disturbances of depression intensity or greater. Forecasts will include advice as to location, movement, intensity, and dimension of the disturbances. Marine advisories will be disseminated through the National Weather Service (NWS) communications facility at Suitland, MD to the Automated Digital Weather System hub at Carswell AFB, TX for further relay to DOD agencies. The DOD forecasters, who must give advice concerning an imminent operational decision, may contact the appropriate hurricane center forecaster (see Chapter 2) when published marine advisories require elaboration. Telephone numbers for the hurricane centers are in Appendix H. 4.3.2. Marine Advisory Issue Frequency. The first marine advisory will normally-be issued when meteorological data indicate that a tropical or subtropical cyclone has formed. Subsequent advisories will be issued at 0400, 1000, 1600, and 2200 UTC from the NHC (0300, 0900, 1500, and 2100 UTC from the NHC (for the Eastern Pacific)) and CPHC. Advisories will continue to be issued until the system deg enerates below depression level. In addition, 4- 1 special advisories will be issued whenever the following criteria are met. Remarks stating the reason for the special advisory or the relocation will be mandatory in all special advisories or advisories that include a relocated position. *Conditions require a hurricane or tropical storm watch or warning to be issued. *A tropical depression becomes a tropical storm or vice ve r sa . * A tropical storm changes to a hurricane or vice versa. *Conditions require initiation or upgrading of an existing coastal warning. *A tornado threat develops or becomes non-existant. *Any other circumstances causing the hurricane forecaster to believe other significant changes have occurred. [NOTE: Tropical cyclone updates are permitted without the requirement of a special advisory, including when coastal warnings are cancelled. However, in some cases a special advisory may follIow.] 4.3.3. Marine Advisory Content. Marine advisories will contain appropriate information as shown in Figure 4-1. Advisories will contain 12- and 24-hr forecasts and 36-, 48-, and 72-hr outlooks valid from times based on the latest 6-hourly synoptic time. 4.3.4. Numbering of Advisories. All advisories will be numbered sequentially; e.g., Advisory Number 1 on Tropical Depression ONE, Advisory Number 2 on Tropical Depression ONE, Advisory Number 3 on Tropical Storm Anita, Advisory Number 4 on Hurricane Anita, Advisory Number 5 on Tropical Depression Anita. The NHC and CPHC will append an alphabetic designator for intermediate advisories (e.g., 20A). 4 -2 TTAAOO KMIA 251535 HURRICANE GLORIA MARINE ADVISORY NUMBER 34 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 1600Z WED SEP 25 1985 WATCH/WARNING SECTION* HURRICANE CENTER LOCATED NEAR 27.1N 73.1W AT 25/16002 POSITION ACCURATE WITHIN 20 NAUTICAL MILES BASED ON AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE AND SATELLITE. PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE NORTHWEST OR 315 DEGREES AT 13 KT. MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 130 KT WITH GUST TO 150 KT. RADIUS OF 64 KT WINDS 75NE 50SE 50SW 75NW. RADIUS OF 50 KT WINDS 100NE 75SE 75SW 1OONW. RADIUS OF 34 KT WINDS 200NE 1505SE 150SW 200NW. RADIUS OF 12 FT SEAS OR HIGHER 200NE 150SE 150SW 200NW. REPEAT CENTER LOCATED AT 27.1N 73.1W AT 25/16002. FORECAST VALID 26/0000Z 28.5N 74.5W. MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 130 KT WITH GUSTS TO 150 KT. RADIUS OF 50 KT WINDS DOONE 755E 75SW 1OONW. RADIUS OF 34 KT WINDS 200NE 150SE 1SOSW 200NW. FORECAST VALID 26/1200Z 31.ON 76.0W. MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 130 KT WITH GUSTS TO 150 KT. RADIUS OF 50 KT WINDS 1OONE 75SE 755W 10ONW. RADIUS OF 34 KT WINDS 200NE 150SE 150SW 200NW. FORECAST VALID 27/00002 35.0N 75.5W. MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 110 KT WITH GUSTS TO 130 KT. RADIUS OF 50 KT WINDS 100NE 75SE 755W 100NW. RADIUS OF 34 KT WINDS 200NE 1SOSE 150OSW 200NW. STORM TIDE SECTION* HEAVY PRECIPITATION SECTION* THE FOLLOWING FORECAST SHOULD BE USED ONLY FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES BECAUSE ERRORS MAY EXCEED A FEW HUNDRED MILES. FORECAST VALID 27/1200Z 39.ON 7S.OW. MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 80 KT WITH GUSTS TO 95 KT. RADIUS OF 50 KT WINDS SONE SOSE 25SW 25NW. FORECAST VALID 28/12002 46.0N 73.0W. MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 40 KT NEAR CENTER. REQUEST FOR 3 HOURLY SHIP REPORTS WITHIN 300 MILES OF 27.1N 73.1W. NEXT ADVISORY AT 25/2200Z. NOTE...PROBABILITIES OF HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM CONDITION ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PUBLIC HURRICANE ADVISORY. SEE AFOS HEADER CCCTCPAT3 OR WMO HEADER WTNT33 KMIA.** *To be used when appropriate. **Atlantic only. Figure 4-1. Marine advisory format. 4 --3 0601220C8 3E-Z'012 20321 MF2 Figure 4-2. Hurricane Joan, October 22, 1988, 0601 UTC. 4-4 CHAPTER 5 AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE 5.1. G eea, All Department of Commerce (DOC) tropical and subtropical cyclone aircraft reconnaissance needs will be requested and provided in accordance with the procedures of this chapter. As outlined in the U.S. Air Force (USAF)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Memorandum of * Understanding (see Appendix C), DOC has identified a requirment for, and the Department of Defense (DOD) maintains aircraft to support, up to five sorties per day. Requirements exceeding five sorties will be accomplished on a "resources permitting'' basis. Congress has directed the DOD to maintain a combined active and reserve Air Force flying hour program of 1600 hours in support of hurricane reconnaissance coverage. In times of national emergency or war, some or all DOD reconnaissance resources may not be available to fulfill DOC needs. 5.2. Responsibil ities. 5.2.1. The DOD is responsible for: 5.2.1.1. Providing operational aircraft for vortex fixes and data, synoptic tracks, and investigative flights in response to DOC needs. 5.2.1.2. Developing operational procedures to deploy data buoys to satisfy DOC needs. 5.2.2. The DOC is responsible for aircraft operations that may be requested to: 5.2.2.1. Augment USAF operational aircraft recon- naissance with high-density, high-accuracy (HD/HA) data when storms are within 24 hr of landfall of the continental United States. 5.2.2.2. Augment USAF aircraft reconnaissance when DOC needs exceed the capabilities of DOD resources. This includes the provision of quick response to National Hurricane Center (NHC) requests for reconnaissance on developing tropical cyclones (normally east of 80OW) from August I through September 30 on a * resources permitting basis. 5-1I 5.2.2.3. Assume responsibility for hurricane reconnaissance over foreign airspace that may be restricted for military operations. 5.2.2.4. Conduct research flights that assume an operational responsibility to the hurricane centers. 5.3. Control of Aircraft. Operational control of aircraft flying tropical and subtropical cyclone reconnaissance will remain with the operating agencies of DOD or DOC as appropriate. 5.4. Reconnaissance Requirements. 5.4.1. Meteorological Parameters. Data needs in priority order are as follow: * Geographical position of the flight level vortex center (vortex fix) and relative position of the surface center if known * Center sea-level pressure determined by dropsonde or extrapolation from within 1,500 ft of the sea surface or from the computed 850-hPa height. * Minimum 700 or 850-hPa height, if available * Wind profile data for surface and flight level Temperature at flight level Sea-surface temperature * Dew-point temperature at flight level. 5.4.2. Required Meteorological Reconnaissance Data, Ranges, and Accuracies. Required reconnaissance data accuracies are as follows: 5.4.2.1. Geographic position. · Aircraft position: within 3 nmi * Storm surface center (wind/pressure): within 6 nmi * Flight level storm center (wind/pressure): within 6 nmi 5.4.2.2. Wind direction. * Surface: within 10 deg * Flight level for winds greater than 20 kt: within 5 deg 5.4.2.3. Wind speed. * Surface: within 10 kt * Flight level: within 4 kt 5.4.2.4. Pressure height. * Surface: within 2 hPa * Flight level above 500 hPa: within 20 m * Flight level at or below 500 hPa: within 10 m 5.4.2.5. Temperature. * Sea surface: within 1o * Flight level: within 1 C 5.4.2.6. Dew-point temperature. * Range from -20°C to +40°C. within 1°C * Less than -20° C: within 3C 5.4.2.7. Absolute altitude: within 10 m 5.4.2.8. Vertical sounding. * Pressure: within 2 hPa * Temperature: within 1°C * Dew-point temperature: Range of -20 g to +40°C: ithin 1°C Less than -20 C: within 3 C * Wind direction: within 10 deg * Wind speed: within 5 kt 5.4.2.9. NOTE: Present weather reconnaissance capabilities do not completely satisfy these requirements; data will be collected as close to stated requirements as possible. 5.4.3. Required Frequency and Content of Observations. 5.4.3.1. Horizontal observations. Standard RECCO Section 1 or Section 3, plus 4ddff and 9ViTwTwTw, if applicable, (9-groups are not required for WC-130s in the storm or invest area). Section 3 RECCO will not be used if HD/HA data are being transmitted. The format is as specified in Military Airlift Command Regulation (MACR) 105-25, Weather Reconnaissance Observations, and Appendix G of the NHOP. 5.4.3.1.1. Enroute. Horizontal observations will be taken and transmitted every 200 nmi over water enroute to and from the stormarea. Data from the 500-hPa level are preferred, 5-3 if possible, otherwise other levels are acceptable. If an automated system is not in use, encode observations every 15 min when over water within 15 degrees of the tasked coordinates, and transmit hourly. 5.4.3.1.2. Fix missions. One horizontal observation is required midway between the outbound leg and inbound leg of the Alpha and modified Alpha flight patterns. This is not required if HD/HA data are available. 5.4.3.1.3. Invest missions. See para 5.8.2. 5.4.3.2. High-density/high-accuracy data. The HD/HA data include time, latitude, longitude, flight-level wind, pressure altitude, radar altitude, D-value, flight-level wind speed and direction, temperature, and dew-point temperature. These observations are collected every minute (MINOBS) and transmitted every 20 min (WC-130) or 30 min (WP-3). See Appendix G for the format of the MINOBS or para 5.9.4.1. for the ASDL data format. 5.4.3.3. Vortex and supplemental vortex observations. Vortex and supplemental vortex observations are collected, encoded, and transmitted in accordance with NHOP pattern requirements (see para 5.7.). Supplementary vortex observations are not required when HD/HA data are transmitted. See Figures 5-1 and 5-2 for data formats. NOTE: Non-automated systems are marginal in satisfying these requirements. Data will be collected as close to stated requirements as possible, and will be considered satisfactory as long as observations are accomplished every 30 min. 5.4.3.4. Vertical observations. The frequency of vertical observations enroute to and from the storm or invest area will be approximately every 400 nmi over water in accordance with MACR 105-25, unless otherwise specified. the frequency will be as specified (NHOP flight patterns or TCPOD) within the tasked area. The format for all vertical observations is WMO TEMP DROP code (FM 37-VII). See Appendix G for the format. 5.4.4. High Density/High Accuracy Requirements. The DOC requires rapid acquisition and transmission of tropical cyclone data, especially within the last 24-hr period prior to landfall. Since only a limited number of aircraft currently have a high- density, high-accuracy (HD/HA) capability, DOC reconnaissance requests should specify which tropical cyclone reconnaissance sorties should use HD/HA aircraft. The HD/HA aircraft will be provided on a "resources permitting" basis only. Is 5 -4 VORTEX DATA MESAGE E lPOADING (PRECEDENCE IMMEDIATEI MISSION IDENTIFIER AND0 O1SEAVArION NUMBER (ABBREVIATED) (DETAILED) VORTEX DATA MESSAGE A Z DATE AND TIME OF FIX DEG MIN N S LATITUDE OF VORTEX FIX B. * DEG MIN B W LONGITUDE OF VORTEX FIX C Ms M MINIMUM HEIGHT AT STANDARD LEVEL D KT ESTIMATE OF MAXIMUM SURFACE WIND OBSERVED E DEG M M BEARING AND RANGE FROM CENTER OF MAXIMUM SURFACE WIND F DEG KT MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL WIND HEAR CENTER G DEG M M BEARING AND RANGE FROM CENTER OF MAXIMUM FLIGHT LEVEL WIND H M s MINIMUM SEA LEVEL PRESSURE COMPUTED FROM DROPSONDE OR EXTRAFOLA- H ME T ED FROM WITHIN 1500 FT OF SEA SURFACE C/ M MAX FLT LVL TEMPYPRIESSURE ALT OUTSIDE EYE j C/ M MAX FILT LVL TEMP/PRIESSURE ALT INSIDE EYE K Cf C DEWPOINT TEMF /SEA SURFACE TEMF INSIDE EYE L EYE CHARACTER: Clo...d ..II, pooly d.fi..d, oP.. SW., EYE SHAFE/ORIENTATION/DIAMETER. Cod. .y. hI pF -o C - Ciroolor; CO - Coo- coti;E - EllI icol-. Trnfi ohi.nlo ofm .o il, in tons of do .I.o... 01.-01010t ,190; 1-170E 0350. T-ansif diarrolor in nolo i... Cn. o..C- M Cidlr.oBrdin r...r. E09/15/5 - ElliFti-o oyo. nbojor ooi. 090-270. l.ngtfI of mb .oI. 15 NMM, longlih of hinor .o. SNM. COBI-IA - C .... 0. di.,or n...ry a INIM.ot, ..IY. Id NM. DEG MIN N S CONFIRMATION OF FIX: Coodino.., and Tin.. N DEG MIN ER z FIX DETERMINED BY/FIX LEVEL FIX DETERMINED BY: 1 - Fn... 0.ti..; 2 - o Rod.,; 3 - Wind; A - FPo....... 5 - T-p-F.-ooo FIX LEVEL( lodioot. ou...oo / if '!.thl.; ininobot, ...ac F..nd flight lono on... nl w ho..I ha..:0 Soro." /' 1- 1000F#; B -RS8r0f; 7 -70Dmb; 5 - 500b; A - 400 b; 3 -300,nb; 2- 200 rb; 9 - Oth-., F NM NAVIGATION FIX ACCURACY/METEOROLOGICAL ACCURACY Q RAKS1 INSTRUCTIONS: Ito... A throgh, G lond H hia.olooa.do. rnmtd fro 1h1oroof i-nmdio.I.y follwing If. Ii.. Ths. -onind., of th. ioso I tr-n-itt.d ooa -nilsbi. fo o,.o fioo ond ot Ito ARW o' di .... tio Ior nnf.dl.Id fIntnrdoa I....d . Figure 5-1. Form 3--Vortex data message. SIIPPLEMENIARY VORTEX DATA MESSAGE MACOP HEADING (C.-pw.I*bT.@I6 f.n MISsION IDENTIFIER AND OBSERVATION NUM§ERt (c 6p1,dA I I*I& **. I -AX.IHU-l) SUPPLEMENTARY VORTEX DATA MESSAGE LAG11NO 01 I I 1 C t INDICATOR PON DATA COLLECTED APPRO"IMATELY I" am fROcM STORIA 02 2 2 2 LY 11M RMCNTRIUBUO 3 3 3 OTHER INDICATORS INC2, 021/U.I FOR 03 3 3 DATA AT APPROCIMATELT 11M O ITERt- VAL" INBOUND ON OUTBOUND FROM 0114 4 14 STORM CENTER. INDICATORS NAY be EXPANDED MayOND B? IC. ASC..)A NECESAR AT APPROIMATELY ICNM 05 5 5 5 INTERVALS. MN INDICATOR FOR EACIMUN FLIGHT 066 LEVEL WIND SISERVED 07 O 7 N SPEC* OF WIND 19 KNOTS 07 7 7 7 V TRUE DIRECTION OF 7 LIGHT LEVEL WIND SPEED Old TENS OF DEGREES TT d 7 TIEWPIDERPOINT IN DEGREES CELSIUS: ADO SC FOR NEGA- TIVE VALUES WNHO PRESSURE9 HEICIIT DATA IN REcco FORMAT LL,1, - LATITUDE U DGROEES/TEMTCS INL. (L.LL) OfI. .LNS. -LONDITDEa IN OEDREES/ NP N F TEMTN9 06501 AT DCC AT 01301 w a SFC wNo: /DATA UNKNO"NUMROBTAINAGLEt 01 L . L .L 1 (IDv) H AMPLE uIESSAGE URNT is KNIA 241751 02 2 A 211 241 AFA AI RODICOB: Ian 02 2 2 2 SUPPLENEN1TARY WON"TEX DATA MESSAGE Oaait" 10111 13111 la"O mm0 03 3 3 3 03,17' 20511* 23105 a0ct' 3804 04177 "WRS 4=w 4050 ISM7 014 14 14 14 0517C $0RS 523M 509 3MC 06114 an AIMA 03 1:1101 O146 07,17170577 7305 7121 S20 05 5 5 5 MF171 mom? or... Gas *I AT 1680Z GRIM' AT loc00 06 6 6 6 OBSCICFCBND2NOCC 1 181 07 7 7 7 03170 3302 2"u5 340M logo0 CS77 mu55413036 140M I?04 OS '7S 00554 AilM bgoes IlCI S7117 70`44 73114 70502 16021 (L.A. 1 - L. ,L. L.) (Iff) NFII? M0672 NFI20 UP 009 G l B I AT 15002 0OBIR? AT 17001 OBs 07 ScC WIND 146211 09301' AT: AT I 'l,,Sl 07 NV O ENAROS "EAVYr RAIN OUTBOUND A PREPARED GY TRANMIMSSION TIME:j Figure 5-2. Form 4--Supplementary vortex data message. 5-6 5.4.5. High Level Synoptic Track Profile Data Requirements. When required, the NHC will request mid-tropospheric reconnais- sance data on the periphery of systems approaching the United States. The NHC will provide a specific track profile including control point and control time to Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordinator, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) for coordination with the reconnaissance units. 5.5. Reconnaissance Planninq and Fliqht Notification. 5.5.1. DOC Requests for Aircraft Reconnaissance Data. 5.5.1.1. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will coordinate with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) to determine a list of the total DOC requirements for data on tropical and subtropical cyclones or disturbances for the next 24-hr period (0500 to 0500 UTC) and an outlook for the succeeding 24-hr period. This coordinated request will be provided to CARCAH as soon as possible, but not later than 1630 UTC each day in the format of Figure 5-3). Amendments will be provided as required. 5.5.1.2. From the above coordinated DOC request, CARCAH will publish the Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day (TCPOD). When DOC reconnaissance needs exceed DOD and DOC resources, CARCAH will coordinate with the NHC to establish priorities of requirements. 5.5.1.3. The following reconnaissance requests can be anticipated for a forecast or actual storm location: 5.5.1.3.1. The Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Eastern and Central Pacific: * up to four 6-hourly fixes per day when a storm is within 500 nmi of landfall west of 55° W and north of 080 N * up to eight 3-hourly fixes per day when a storm is forecast to be within 300 nmi of the U.S. coast, Hawaiian Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, DOD installations, and other DOD assets when specified. 5.5.1.3.2. Investigative flights may be requested for disturbances in areas defined in paragraph 5.5.1.3.1., above, i.e., one or two flights per day dependent upon proximity of landfall and upon known or suspected stage of development. 5.5.1.3.3. Exceptions may be made when additional reconnaissance is essential to carry out warning responsibilities. 5-7 NHOP COORDINATED REQUEST FOR AIRCRAFT RECONNAISSANCE _ Original Amendment (Check One) I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS HIGH STORM NAME FIX OR ON DENS NHC DEPRESSION # STATION COORDI- FLIGHT FCST ACCY PRI- SUSPECT AREA TIME NATES PATTERN KMmn REQT ORITY SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK REMARKS II. EASTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS HIGH STOMI NAME FIX OR ON DENS NHC DEPRESSION # STATION COORDI- FLIGHT FCST ACCY PRI- SUSPECT AREA TIME NATES PATTERN MVMT OT ORITY SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK REMARKS III. DISTRIBUTION A. TO CARCAH BY 1630Z OR AMEND AT ANY TIME B. DATE TIME FCSTR INIT Figure 5-3. Form 1--NHOP coordinated request for aircraft reconnaissance. 5-8 Table 5-1. Vortex data message entry explanation DATA ITEM ENTRY MISSION IDENTIFIER As determined in Chapter 5, paragraph 5.7.6. OBSERVATION NUMBER A two digit number determined by the sequential order in which the observation is transmitted from the aircraft. (ABBREVIATED) An abbreviated message has at least item ALPHA (DETAILED) VORTEX through GOLF, item HOTEL (when extropolated DATA MESSAGE from flight level) and a maximum flight level wind remark in item QUEBEC. A (ALPHA) Date and time (UTC) of the flight level center fix. If the flight level center cannot be fixed and the surface center is visible, enter the time of the surface center fix. B (BRAVO) The latitude and longitude of the center fix associated with item ALPHA. NOTE: If the surface center is fixable, enter bearing and 0 range from the center in item QUEBEC, e.g., SFC CNTR 270/15 NMI, if the centers are separated by over 5 nmi. C (CHARLIE) Indicate the standard atmospheric surface e.g., 850 hPa or 700 hPa. The minimum height of the standard surface observed inside the center. If at 1,500 ft or below or not within 1,500 ft of a standard surface, enter NOBS (not observed). D (DELTA) The maximum surface wind observed during the inbound leg associated with this fix. E (ECHO) Bearing and range of the maximum surface wind observed (item DELTA) from the coordinates reported in item BRAVO. F (FOXTROT) The maximum flight level wind observed during the inbound leg associated with this fix. 5-9 Table 5-1. Vortex data message entry explanation (continued) G (GOLF) Bearing and range of the maximum flight level wind observed (item FOXTROT) from the coordinates reported in item BRAVO. H (HOTEL) The minimum sea level pressure (SLP) to the nearest hectopascal observed at the coordinates reported in item BRAVO. Preface the SLP with "EXTRAP" (extrapolated) when the data are not derived from dropsonde or when the SLP is extrapolated from a dropsonde that terminated early. Clarify the difference in remarks (e.g., SLP EXTRAPOLATED FROM BELOW 1500 FEET/850 HPA/DROPSONDE) I (INDIA) MAX FLT LVL TEMP--This temperature is taken just outside the central region of a cyclone (i.e., just outside the eyewall or just beyond the maximum wind band). This temperature may not be the highest recorded on the inbound leg but is representative of the environmental temperature just outside the central region of the storm. PRESSURE ALT--Pressure altitude data (meters) are taken at the same location as the maximum temperature data reported in item INDIA J (JULIET) MAX FLT LVL TEMP--The maximum temperature observed within 5 nmi of the center fix coord- inates. If a higher temperature is observed at a location more than 5 nmi away from the flight level center (item BRAVO), it is reported in item QUEBEC including bearing and distance from the flight level center. PRESSURE ALT--Pressure altitude data (meters) are taken at the same location as the maximum temperature data reported in item JULIET. K (KILO) These data are collected at the same location as the maximum temperature reported in item JULIET. Enter "NOBS" if not observed. 5-10 Table 5-1. Vortex Data Message Entry Explanation (Continued) L (LIMA) Only report if at least 50 percent of the center has an eyewall, otherwise enter "NOBS." Closed wall--if the center has 100 percent coverage with no eyewall weakness. Open XX--if the center has 50 percent or more but less tha n 100 percent coverage. State the direction of the eyewall weakness. M (MIKE) Self explanatory. Report only if item LIMA .is reported, otherwise enter "NOBS." N (NOVEMBER) Flight level center coordinates (same as item BRAVO). O (OSCAR) Fix determined by: Always report 1. Report 2 if radar indicates curvature or banding consistent with fix location. Report 3 if recorded or observed winds indicate a closed center. Report 4 if the fix pressure is at least lower than any reported on the inbound 0 leg. Report 5 if the fix temperature is at least higher than any reported on the inbound leg. Fix level: Report 0 alone if fix is made solely on surface winds. Report 0 and the flight-level code if the centers are within 5 nmi of each other. P (PAPA) Navigational and meteorological accuracy are reported as the upper limit of probable error. Meteorological accuracy is normally reported as one-half of the diameter of the light and variable wind center. Q (QUEBEC) Remarks to enhance the data reported above. The aircraft crew should report the maximum flight level winds observed and the time of observation on their latest pass through any of the four quadrants during the mission in the remarks section of the detailed/ abbreviated vortex message. 5.5.2. DOD Reconnaissance Aircraft Responsiveness. 5.5.2.1. Notification of requirements must precede tasked-on-station time by at least 16 hr plus enroute time to the area of concern. 5.5.2.2. The "Succeeding Day Outlook" portion of the TCPOD provides advance notification of requirements and authorizes units to preposition aircraft to forward operating locations. For missions requiring prepositioning, the "Succeeding Day Outlook" may not provide adequate advance notification. In this situation, an "Additional Day Outlook" may be included in the TCPOD to authorize units to preposition aircraft. 5.5.2.3. When circumstances preclude the appropriate notification lead time, the requirement will be levied as resources permitting." When a "resources permitting" requirement is levied in an amendment, the NHC will indicate the priority of all existing or remaining requirements. 5.5.2.4. If a storm develops unexpectedly and could cause a serious threat to lives and property within a shorter time frame than provided for in the paragraphs above, CARCAH will contact the reconnaissance units, or higher headquarters, as appropriate, and request assistance in implementing emergency procedures not covered in this plan. The NHC and CPHC directors have authority to declare an emergency. 5.5.3. Reconnaissance Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day. 5.5.3.1. Preparation. The CARCAH will coordinate the TCPOD (Figure 5-5) daily during the period from June 1 to November 30 and at other times during the year as required. Transmitted TCPODs will be serially numbered each season. 5.5.3.1.1. The CARCAH will coordinate the TCPOD with the NHC, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, 815th Weather Operations Flight, and the Office of Aircraft Operations before publication. 5.5.3.1.2. The TCPOD will list all DOC and DOD required tropical and subtropical cyclone reconnaissance operational missions. The remarks section of the TCPOD will include appropriate comments whenever research and operational flights overlap. 5.5.3.1.3. The DOD-required tropical or subtropical cyclone reconnaissance missions in the Atlantic or the Pacific west to 1800 will be identified in the TCPOD as USN or USAF requirements. 5-12 Figure 5-4. USAF WC-130 weather reconnaissance aircraft equipped with the Improved Weather Reconnaissance System. 5.5.3.1.4. Amendments to the TCPOD will- be published only when requirements change. When amended, the impact on each listed flight will be identified (i.e., No Change, Change Added, or Cancel) 5.5.3.2. Dissemination. The TCPOD will be made available to appropriate agencies that provide support to or control of reconnaissance aircraft or are a part of the tropical cyclone warning service. Under normal circumstances, the TCPOD will be disseminated by 1800 UTC each day. Amendments will be disseminated as required. 5.5.3.3. NOTE: the TCPOD will not be disseminated by message on weekends or holidays if there are no current-day or succeeding-day reconnaissance requirements. The CARCAH, however, will still coordinate with concerned agencies by telephone as in paragraph 5.5.3.1.1., above. 5.5.4. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances. 5.5.4.1. Air traffic control agencies will provide air traffic control separation between all aircraft operating on storm missions and between storm aircraft and nonparticipating aircraft operating on instrument flight rules within controlled airspace. Mission commanders are reminded that nonparticipating aircraft may be operating. near storm areas; thus, adherence to ATC clearances is mandatory for safety. The CARCAH will indicate in the TCPOD if clearance into warning areas is required. 5-13 TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY FORMAT --ATLANTIC, EASTERN, AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEANS-- FM OL-G, 7WW CORAL GABLES FL/CARCAH TO (MAC-APPROVED ADDRESSEES)/(NOAA-APPROVED ADDRESSEES) SUBJECT TROPICAL CYCLONE RECON POD FROM _ Z (MONTH) (YEAR) TO _ Z (MONTH) (YEAR) FOLLOWS I. ATLANTIC 1. (STORM NAME, DEPRESSION, SUSPECT AREA) or (NEGATIVE RECON REQUIREMENTS) FLIGHT ONE (NHC PRIORITY, if applicable) A. Z FIX TIMES/ON STATION TIMES, (Resources Permitting if applicable) B. MISSION IDENTIFIER C. Z ETD D. DEPARTURE STATION E. FORECAST POSITION/STORM NAME F. DESTINATION STATION G. FLIGHT PATTERN H. FORECAST MOVEMENT I. : RIARKS FLIGHT TWO (if applicable, same as FLIGHT ONE) 2. (SECOND SYSTEM, if applicable, same as in 1. above) 3. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY (NHC PRIORITY, if applicable) A. POSSIBLE (Unit) ON STATION REQUIREMENT NEAR (Location) AT (Time) Z. II. EASTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC (Same as in ATLANTIC) Figure 5-5. Form 2--Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day format. 5-14 5.5.4.2. When storm aircraft cannot maintain assigned altitudes due to turbulence, ATC should be advised. Normal verti cal separati on of 1,000O ft at flight level (FL) 290 and below and 2,000 ft above FL 290 will be provided by ATC to aircraft operating in the storm area. Unless otherwise coordinated with ATC, the altitudes between storm-mission aircraft may be used by ATC for nonparticipating aircraft. Any procedure desired by storm-mission aircraft commanders thlat is outside these parameters must be coordinated with the appropriate ATC facility. 5.5.4.3. Dropsonde releases will be coordinated with the appropriate Air Route Traffic Control Center and participating aircraft if within controlled-airspace, and with participating aircraft only, if outside controlled airspace. Contact between participating aircraft will be made using the frequencies listed in paragraph 5.9.3. 5.6. Reconnaissance Effectiveness Criteria. 5.6.1. General. Specified reconnaissance times are established to allow sufficient time for the forecaster to analyze the data before issuing an advisory. Every effort should be made to obtain data at scheduled times. The following criteria will be used to assess reconnaissance mission effectiveness: 5.6.1.1. Tropical cyclone fix mission. 5.61.11.ON-TIME. The fix is made not earlier than 1 hr before nor later than 1/2 hr after scheduled fix time. 5.6.1.1.2. EARLY. The fix is made from I hr before scheduled fix time to one-half of the time interval to the apreceding scheduled fix, not to exceed 3 hr. 5.6.1.1.3. LATE. The fix is made within the interval f-rom 1/2 hr after scheduled fix time to one-half of the time interval to the succeeding scheduled fix, not to exceed 3 hr. 5.6.1.1.4. MISSED. Data are not obtained within the parameters specified for on-time, early, or late. [NOTE: Appropriate credit will be given when the aircraft arrives in the requested area but is unable to locate a center due to storm dissipation or rapid movement. Credit will also be given for radar fixes if penetration is not possible due to geographic or other flight restrictions. 5.6.1.2. Tropical cyclone investigative missions. 5.6.1.2.1. ON-TIME.' An observation must be taken within 250 nmi of the specified coordinates by the scheduled time. 5.6.1.2.2. LATE. An observation is taken within 250 nmi of the specified coordinates after the scheduled time but not later than the scheduled time plus 2 hr. 5.6.1.2.3. MISSED. When the aircraft fails to be within 250 nmi of the specified coordinates by the scheduled time plus 2 hr. 5.6.2. The NHC or CPHC will provide CARCAH a written assessment of the reconnaissance mission anytime its timeliness or quality is outstanding or substandard (see Figure 5-6). Require- ments levied as "resources permitting" will not be assessed for timeliness, but may be assessed for quality of data gathered. 5.6.3. The CARCAH will maintain monthly and seasonal reconnaissance summaries detailing missions actually flown to satisfy NHC-levied requirements. 5.7. Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Encoding, Reporting, and Coordination. 5.7.1. Vortex Data. The detailed vortex data message (Form 3, Figure 5-1) will be prepared with all observed vortex fix information for all scheduled fixes. For intermediate fixes, either an abbreviated or detailed vortex data message may be transmitted, depending upon availablility of information and forecaster requirements. 5.7.2. Center Fix Data. When proximity to unfriendly territory, air traffic control restriction, or other factors prevent actual penetration of the vortex by the reconnaissance aircraft, it is permissible to fix the cyclone by radar. All aircraft radar fix reports will be made in plain text and appended to a RECCO observation taken at fix time or to a supplementary vortex data message completed up to the time of the radar fix, e.g., RADAR CENTER FIX 21.5N 83.0W, POOR RADAR PRESENTATION, NAV ACCURACY 5NMI. The remark stating the type of radar fix and quality of the radar presentation is in accordance with Chapter 7, paragraph 7.2.2. 5.7.3. Supplementary Vortex Data. Penetration and collection of supplementary vortex data will normally begin at a radius of approximately 105 nmi from the center as determined by the flight meteorologist. The required supplementary vortex data are as MISSION EVALUATION FORM DATE: TO: OL-G, 7WW/CARCAH FROM: (Director, NHC, CPHC) SUBJECT: Mission Evaluation (Mission Identifier) PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS: Permission Coordinates (As Updated Prior to TKO) N W Flight Pattern Mission Requirements Times__ RECONNAISSANCE MISSION PERFORMANCE: Flight Flown: Completely Partially Other Horizontal Data Coverage: _ Complete Timely Accurate Incomplete Untimely Inaccurate Vertical Data Coverage: _Complete _ Timely _ Accurate Incomplete _ Untimely _ Inaccurate Requirements Accomplished: On Time Early Late Missed Remarks: __. [.-, OVERALL MISSION EVALUATION: Outstanding Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Equipment: Accuracy: Timeliness: _ _ Procedures: Completeness: __ _ Remarks:______ _-________ Figure 5-6. Form 5--Mission evaluation form. 5-17 shown in Figure 5-2 (Form 4). Supplementary vortex data are not required when HD/HA data are received or available at CARCAH or NHC. [NOTE: Present weather reconnaissance equipment is inadequate to provide full data for 15 nmi supplementary vortex data; data will be collected as close to stated requirements as possible and within the capabilities of the flight crew.] If a fix is not possible and supplementary vortex data have been collected, transmit the inbound leg as a complete observation and add clarifying remarks, e.g., "FIX NOT MADE, CLOSED CIRCULATION NOT FOUND, INVESTIGATIVE PROFILE BEGUN AT 23/1522Z." 5.7.4. Mission Coordination. Mission coordination for all missions will be accomplished through CARCAH. Meteorological discussions for Central Pacific missions may be accomplished directly with the CPHC; however, any changes to tasking will be accomplished through CARCAH. 5.7.5. Post-flight Debriefing. Unless otherwise directed, the flight meteorologist will provide either an airborne or post-flight debriefing to the appropriate hurricane center to ensure all observations were received and understood. 5.7.6. Mission Identifier. Each reconnaissance report will include the mission identifier as the opening text of the message. Regular weather and hurricane reconnaissance messages will include the five-digit agency/aircraft indicator followed by the CARCAH- assigned mission-storm system indicator. Elements of the mission identifier follow: Agency/Aircraft Mission Storm System Indicator Indicator Agency + Aircraft Number of Depression number Storm Number* mission or XX if not a name or this storm depression or words system greater CYCLONE or INVEST *AF plus last 3 digits of tail number *NOAA plus last digit of aircraft registration number -EXAMPLES- AF985 01XXA INVEST (USAF aircraft 985 on the first mission to investigate a suspect area.) AF987 0503C CYCLONE (USAF aircraft 987 on the fifth mission on depression number 3. Invest or fix as specified in TCPOD.) 5-18 NOAA2 0701A AGNES (NOAA aircraft 42RF on the seventh mission to fix depression number 1, which has acquired the name AGNES.) 5.7.7. Observation Numbering and Content. 5.7.7.1. The first weather observation will have appended as remarks the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) four-letter identifier for the departure station, time of departure, and estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the coordinates or storm. -EXAMPLE- AF966 0308A EMMY OB 01 97779 TEXT TEXT... DPTD KBIX AT 10/2100Z ETA 31.5N 75.0W AT 11/0015Z 5.7.7.2. All observations (RECCO, vortex, supplemental, and dropsonde) from the first to the last will be numbered sequentially. The Improved Weather Reconnaissance System (IWRS) will automatically number MINOBS sequentially, but separately from other observations. When an aircraft is diverted from its original mission to fulfill NHC requirements, conclude the original mission by using the last report remark. The next observation from the diverted aircraft will be labeled OB 01, will use the CARCAH-assigned mission identifier, and will include time of diversion and ETA of coordinates of interest. -EXAMPLE- AF968 01XXA INVEST OB 01 97779 TEXT ... DPTD AF968 1005A CINDY MISSION AT 05/1235Z ETA 18N 85W AT 05/1630Z 5.7.7.3. Append to the final weather observation a remark that includes ETA, destination, number of observations (excluding MINOBS), and monitor(s) that copied the observations. -EXAMPLE- AF963 0317A JOAN OB 16 97779 TEXT TEXT ... ETA KBIX 15/2030Z, LAST REPORT, OBS 01 THRU 16 TO KMIA. 5.8. Operational Flight Patterns. This section includes operational flight patterns that provide vortex and peripheral 5-19 data on tropical and subtropical cyclones including two 6-hourly and intermediate fixes. 5.8.1. Flight Pattern ALPHA Operational Details 5.8.1.1. Flight levels will normally be at 1,500 ft, 850 hPa, or 700 hPa, depending on data requirements and flight safety. The flight sequence is shown in the figure. The pattern sequence can be entered at any point and then repeated for the mission duration. See Figure 5-7. FLIGHT PATTERN (i MODIFIED "ALPHA", NORTH "ALPHA" Jib* NORTH OR3*1-*+4 *' 3 FLIGHT SEQUENCE 1- 3- 42.3- 1-.2- 4-1 1 LGTSQEC 0R3-1 -2-4-1 -3-4-2-3 OR4-2-3ol-2-4-1-3-4 ,s1---5 Figure 5-7. Flight patterns ALPHA and modified ALPHA. 5.8.1.2. Reconnaissance code (section I plus 4ddff) is required for each transit of a triangle (A) position in Figure 5-8. These data are transmitted immediately. Groups with the indicator 4 are included in observations only when surface winds are discernible. Open circle (0) positions indicate the beginning or ending of supplementary vortex data on inbound or outbound radials. 5.8.1.3. Supplementary vortex data are required for each radial flown inbound or outbound. Transmit data to the appropriate monitor at the end of each pair of inbound or outbound legs flown. When HD/HA data are available at CARCAH or NHC, the supplementary vortex data message is not required from the aircraft. The CARCAH or NHC will prepare and disseminate the sea-level pressure using Table 5-2 or an approved computer program. 5-20 5.8.1.5. Dropsonde data, when required in the periphery of the storm will be determined on a case-by-case basis and coordinated through the TCPOD. 5.8.1.6. The entry and exit track should be on one of the cardinal directions (see recommended pattern "A" execution, Figure 5-8). Prior to starting an inbound or an outbound track the aircrew should evaluate all available data, e.g., radar presentation, satellite photo, and select a course within plus or minus 20 deg of the cardinal direction. Once started on the course, every effort should be made to maintain a straight track and the tasked altitude unless flight safety becomes a factor. V ST \ORTEX t / 105 NM \ I S DETAILED VORTEX DATA am PLUS CENTER DROP \ _ N \ / \ / 6 D ETAILEEIARBRIVATEED - -- -o - - \ / VORTEX DATA 1 * \ / O SUPPLEMENTARY VORTES DATA | I I / RECCO ISECTN I) . DIRECTION OF FlEHT I / V Figure 5-8. Recommended pattern ALPHA execution. 5-21 Table 5-2. Surface Pressure as a Function of 850-hPa Height for Normal Tropical Temperature in Summer. 850-hPa Ht Sfc Press 850-hPa Ht Sfc Press 850-hPa Ht Sfc Press (meters) (hPa) (meters) (hPa) (meters) (hPa) 1626 1025 1403 999 1183 974 1618 1024 1394 998 1174 973 1609 1023 1386 997 1165 972 1601 1022 1377 996 1156 971 1592 1021 1368 995 1147 970 1584 1020 1359 994 1138 969 1575 1019 1351 993 1129 968 1567 1018 1342 992 1120 967 1558 1017 1333 991 1111 966 1550 1016 1324 990 1102 965 1541 1015 1316 989 1093 964 1532 1014 1307 988 1084 963 0 1524 1013 1298 987 1075 962 1515 1012 1289 986 1066 961 1507 1011 1280 985 1057 960 1498 1010 1272 984 1048 959 1489 1009 1263 983 1039 958 1481 1008 1254 982 1030 957 1472 1007 1245 981. 1021 956 1464 1006 1236 980 1012 955 1455 1005 1227 979 1003 954 1446 1004 1218 978 993 953 1438 1003. 1209 977 984 952 1429 1002 1201 976 975 951 1421 1001 1192 975 966 950 1412 1000 Log P(Sfc) = 0.00005Z = Log 850, where Z = 850hPa height in meters 5-22 5.8.1.7. Lack of an automated data collection system on DOD aircraft may preclude complete and timely satisfaction of all requirements. 5.8.2. Operational Flight Pattern DELTA. Operational flight pattern Delta provides a suggested (but not the only) approach to the investigation of a disturbance to ascertain the existence or nonexistence of a closed circulation, supply RECCO observations in required areas, and locate the vortex center. This pattern is normally not tasked when a closed circulation has been identified and scheduled fixes are required. See Figure 5-9 for the pattern. 5.8.2.1. Flight level will normally be at or below 1,500 ft absolute altitude but may be adjusted as dictated by data requirements, meteorological conditions, or flying safety factors. During day or night operations when flying safety conditions dictate, an 850-hPa or higher altitude may be flown. 5.8.2.2. Reconnissance observations (Section 1 or 3, plus 4ddff and 9ViTwTwTw if applicable--see para 5.4.3.1.) are required approximately every 15 min and at major turn points. Section 3 observations will be appended to the next RECCO Section 1 observation and data will be transmitted at least every 30 min. If HD/HA data are available, transmit a Section 1 observation approximately every 15 min. The 4- or 9- group will not be reported if data are unavailable. 5.8.2.3. A detailed vortex data message is required if a vortex fix is made. Owl 4V5,/ FORECAST \ Figure 5-9. Flight pattern DELTA. 5-23 5.8.2.4. The DELTA pattern is designed to provide the flexibility required in the investigation of a distrubance as follows: 5.8.2.4.1. The pattern is converted west-east to a mirror image if entry is to be made from the east. 5.8.2.4.2. The length of the legs is to be adjusted during the pattern to coincide with cyclonic circulation wind shifts, i.e., turn points are selected by the flight meteorologist after observing appropriate sustained w'ind shifts. 5.8.2.4.3. If observed data indicate that the aircraft is on the southern side of the circulation, the pattern is converted south-north to a mirror image pattern to enable investigation in the proper areas. 5.8.2.4.4. If data indicate to the flight meteorologist that the aircraft is far' north of any existing cirulation, the pattern is extended (as shown by the dashed lines) to allow further investigation. 5.8.2.4.5. If the location of the center becomes obvious, the pattern may be broken off to accomplish a vortex fix. Forecast agencies may'request changes in the pattern as dictated by their data requirements. 5.9. Aircraft Reconnaissance Communications. 5.9.1. General. The USAF and NOAA aircraft will normally transmit reconnaissance observations via the Air Force Satellite Communications System (AFSATCOM), Aircraft-to-Satellite Data Link, or high frequency (HF) radio phone patch. Flight meteorologists should attempt to make voice contact with the CARCAH following the first fix and periodically throughout the mission, especially during invests. 5.9.2. Air-to-Ground Communications (HF Radio). The weather reconnaissance crew will relay weather data via direct telephone patch to the weather data monitor. Monitors will evaluate these reports and disseminate them to either the Automated Digital Weather Switch or the weather communications facility at Suitland, Maryland. When requested, aeronautical stations will provide a discrete frequency for mission use, if possible. Specific radio procedures and terminology will comply with Allied Communications Publication 125, Standard Telephone and Radio Procedures. Because of the perishable nature and potential operational impact of weather data, USAF has authorized the use of IMMEDIATE precedence for transmission of hurricane reconnaissance data. Data will be routed as follows: 5-24 * Primary. Direct phone patch between the aircraft and Miami Weather Monitor (Atlantic and Eastern Pacific) or Hickam Weather Monitor (Central Pacific). * Secondary. Direct phone patch between the aircraft and any weather monitor. 5.9.3. Air-to-Air Communications. When more than one reconnaissance aircraft is known to be operating in a particular area of interest, the following frequencies will be used& for airplane-to-airplane communications and coordination unless otherwise directed by Air Traffic Control: * Primary: VHF 123.05 MHz * Secondary: UHF 304.8 MHz * Back-up: HF 4701 KHz USB 5.9.4. Aircraft-to-Satellite Data Link (ASDL) Equipped Aircraft. Aircraft equipped with ASDL have the option to utilize the ASDL system using the following procedures (See Figure 5-10): 5.9.4.1. Data format. The following format will be used for data transmission by the ASDL system. * One minute observation--all locations (Message Header) (Date/Time) URNT40 KMIA 291630 (Platform Identifier) (Date/Time-NESDIS) 15C9419C 23012 3220 (Mission Identifier) NOAA2 0401A ANA (Time) (Latitude) (Longitude) (Press Alt) (D Value) 1233 2803 08037 06173 +0436 (Wind) (Temperature) (Dew Point) 213010 +138 +096 (End of Message) NNNN * RECCO Observation--Atlantic Area (Message Header) (Date/Time) URNT40 KMIA 291630 (Platform Identifier) (Date/Time-NESDIS) 15C9419C 23012 3220 (Observation MANOP Heading) URNT11 KMIA (Mission Identifier) NOAA2 0401A ANA OB 03 (RECCO Text) 97779 12428... 93275 (End of Message) NNNN 5-25 ASDL UPLINK - 405 MHz Of ASDL DOWNLINK 1614 MHz (ASDL =AIRCRAFT TO SATELLITE DATA LINK) USER CALL IN CIRCUITS (NHC) GROUND TRACKING STATION Figure 5-10. Schematic of aircraft-to-satellite data link for NOAA P-3 aircraft. 5-26 * RECCO Observation--Eastern and Central Pacific. This is the same as the one above except that the observation MANOP heading is URPN11 KMIA. [NOTE: 11 is used for routine tropical cyclone observations; 12 is used for vortex reports, etc.] (Message Header) (Date/Time) URPN11 KMIA 291630 (Platform Identifier) (Date/Time-NESDIS) 15C9419C 23012 3220 (Observation MANOP Heading) UPRN11 KMIA (Mission Identifier) NOAA2 0401A ANA OB 03 (RECCO Text) 97779 12428... 93275 (End of Message) NNNN 5.9.4.2. Data tranmission schedule. To aid the transmission of data from several aircraft through one circuit, each aircraft will be assigned a specific block of time within the 30-min interval for transmission of its data. The schedule is shown in Table 5-2. 5.9.4.3. Data transmission test. Prior to the beginning of the hurricane season, each ASDL-equipped aircraft will perform a ground or airborne test of the equipment and data ground handling procedures to determine the equipment reliability, transmission errors, and time lapse between transmission of the data from the aircraft and receipt of the data by the hurricane forecaster. Test data will be forwarded to the Chairman, Working Group for Hurricane and Winter Storms Operations. 5.9.5. Improved Weather Reconnaissance System (IWRS) Equipped Aircraft. The USAF aircraft equipped with IWRS will use the AFSATCOM data link with Keesler AFB, MS to relay data to the NHC via the AWN. Figure 5-11 depicts these communication links. 5-27 Table 5-3. ASDL data transmission schedule. TIME PERIOD TRANSMITTER 0-+5 + 5 - +10 OAO 42RF P-3(A) +10 - +15 OAO 43RF P-3(B) +15 - +20 +20 - +25 +25 - +30 +30 - +35 +35 - +40 OAO 42RF P-3(A) +40 - +45 OAO 43RF P-3(B) +45 - +50 +50 - +55 Radar +55 - +60 Radar [NOTE: Because only 4 min 28 sec of each 5-min time block can be used for data transmission, roughly 1/2 min is left in each trans- mission block. This schedule is designed to eliminate diagnostic statements that would appear at the NESDIS computer if data from specific sources arrived at the computer at unscheduled time.] 5-28 AFSATCOM AFSATCOM WC-130 with IWRS ADWS Keesler AIFB NHC (Backup) (Primary) Figure 5-11. Schematic of AFSATCOM data link for USAF WC-130 aircraft. 5-29 CHAPTER 6 SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL CYCLONES 6.1. Satellites. 6.1.1. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). The GOES system Surrently consists of one operational spacecraft, GOES-7 at 108 W. The GOE -7 will move to 98 W in late spring of 1989 and return to 108 W in November, 1989. The principal GOES products are one-half hourly pictures with implanted grids automatically applied to all sectors. During daylight hours, approximately 1-, 2-, and 4-km resolution fixed standard sectors are produced. During the night (and during daylight) the same geographical coverage standard sectors are produced with 7-km resolution in infrared (IR). The IR data may be enhanced to emphasize various features. Also, 14-km resolution sectors of water vapor are available half-hourly. Floating sectors, which are scheduled by the Satellite Field Distribution Facilities (SFDF), are produced to augment the standard sector coverage. All products are delivered in near real time to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service's (NESDIS) Synoptic Analysis Branch (SAB), the SFDF's, and Weather Service Forecast Offices (see Table 6-1). 6.1.2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administation (NOAA) Polar-orbiting Satellites. These Television Infrared Observation Satellites cross the United States twice daily near the equatorial crossing times indicated in Table 6-1. Data are available via direct readout--high resolution picture transmission (HRPT) or automatic picture transmission (APT)--or central processing. Data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) are available on a limited basis through the GOES distribution system (Figure 6-1). The Air Force Global Weather Central (AFGWC), Offutt AFB, NE, receives global NOAA imagery data direct from central readout sites on a pass-by-pass basis. Data are processed in mapped and unmapped form for use internally. 6.2. National Weather Service (NWS) Support. 6.2.1. Station Contacts. The GOES imagery is available in support of the Surveillance of tropical and subtropical cyclones 6-1 at specific NWS offices. Satellite meteorologists can be contacted at these offices; phone numbers are in Appendix H. ____ ___------_------------------- ---------------_ Table 6-1. Satellite and satellite data availability for the, current hurricane season. --------------------------------------_ SATELLITE TYPE OF DATA LOCAL TIME PRODUCTS GOES-7 VAS Every 30 min 1. 1-, 2-, and 4-km (24 hr/day) resolution visible standad Limited scan sectors covering Western, for short- Midwest, and Eastern interval viewing United States. available.) 2. 7-km resolution equivalent IR stand- ard sectors for U.S. (night) 3. Equivalent IR- e-nhanced imagery. 4. Floating sectors at 1- 2-, and 4-km resolution (visible) (equivalent to 7-km resolution IR) 5. Full disc IR (day and night) 6. 14-km resolution water vapor sectors (day and night) 7. Wind analysis 8. Cloud top heights 9. VDUC-derived products: Deep layer mean wind, wind analysis, and moisture imagery. 10. Moisture analysis ___ __ _ _----..--. --..e _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ NOAA-10 AVHRR 0740/1940 1. Mapped imagery GAC and LAC 2. Unmapped imagery (all (recorded) data types) at DMSP sites. HRPT and APT 3. Sea-surface temperatue (direct) analysis TOVS 4. Soundings NOAA-11 GAC and LAC 1340/0140 (recorded) HRPT and APT (direct) TOVS 6-2 Table 6-1. Satellite and satellite data availability for the current hurricane season (continued). SATELLITE TYPE OF DATA LOCAL TIME PRODUCTS DMSP F-8 Operational 0611/1811 1. AFGWC 1.5 nmi Linescan resolution visual and System (OLS) infrared imagery. (recorded and 2. Hickam Direct Read- direct) out 0.3 and 1.5 nmi Microwave temp- resolution visual and erature sounder infrared imagery. (SSM/T) 3. SSM/T data trans- (recorded) mitted to NESDIS via Microwave imager shared processing. (SSM/I) 4. SSM/I data (recorded) validation ongoing. DMSP F-9 OLS imagery 0930/2130 (recorded and direct) SSM/T (recorded) 6.2.2. Products. There are four types of satellite products issued by the centers and their alternates. Chapter 3 describes these products, their communications headings, and their schedules. * Satellite tropical disturbance summaries * Satellite interpretation messages * Tropical weather discussions * Tropical disturbance rainfall estimates 6.2.3. Satellite Tropical Disturbance Summary. The Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu SFSSs distribute satellite summaries (see Figure 6-2 for an example) twice daily at the times indicated in Table 6-2. These describe significant weather in tropical regions of the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central Pacific (north and south between 140 W and 100 W), respectively. 6.3. NESDIS Synoptic Analysis Branch. The SAB operates 24 hr a day to provide satellite support to the National Meteorological Center. The SAB also distributes twice daily a satellite tropical disturbance summary for the Indian Ocean. Telephone numbers for the SAB are in Appendix H. 6-3 GOES 6 GOES 7 SFDF' ....< NOAA;COMMAND AND C X I CONTLSTRETCH VAS TAON KMKPANC _ 2 AVHRR A SFDF - - INGEST M GOES SOURCE DATA WEFAX SFDF VAS CENTRAL DATA FOH COMPUTER i OPERATIONS | SPACECVELEMEmY ACQUISITION SFMf | COMPLEX ; CONTL ISPACECCD DI MTNDS STAnON |_KMKC - -" FDF I - NGMETEOSAT R KMIA 4 KCN VAS FACILITY <WBC 24' KWAL AVHRR, WEFAX WORLD WEATHER DocS DATA I SFDF | FULL QUPLEX VOICE GRADE CIRCUITS MARLOW HEIGHTS, RTIR (FACSIMILE) MD PHNL 2 GMS WEFAX'. RTIR TO KMKC F SfDF - - . . : RTIR TO KMIA tcABLES DIRECT I'O CDDF - FAILT 6.4. AFGWC SuDoort and the Defense Meteoroloqical Satellite Program (DMSP). The AFGWC uses all available meteorological satellite data when providing fix information. The DMSP will provide coverage of tropical and subtropical cyclones whenever possible. Data covering the National Hurricane Operations Plan areas of interest are received centrally at AFGWC and locally at the direct readout site at Detachment 4, 20th Weather Squadron, Hickam AFB, HI. 6.4.1. North Atlantic and Central Pacific Surveillance. The AFGWC readouts will augment NESDIS surveillance for the North Atlantic and Central Pacific. The AFGWC will transmit teletype bulletins describing the location and intensity classification of the system, in the format shown in Figure 6-3, to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) or Central Pacific Hurricane Cente:r as- appropriate, on organized disturbances evident at the tropical classification one (T-1) or higher. 6.4.2. Eastern Pacific Surveillance. If the NHC determines the coverage from available NESDIS satellites should be supplemented, they will request the data from AFGWC. 6.5. Satellites and Satellite Data Availability for the Current )Hurricane Season. Table 6-1 lists satellite capabilities for the 1989 hurricane season. 6.6. Current Intensity and Tropical Classification Number. The current intensity (C.I.) number relates directly to the intensity of the storm. The empirical relationship between the C.I. number and a storm's wind speed is shown in Table 6-3. The C.I. number is same as the tropical classification number (T-number) during the development stages of a tropical cyclone, but isuheld higher than the T-number while a cyclone is weaken ng. This is done because a lag is often observed between the time a storm pattern indicates weakening has begun and the time when the storm's intensity decreases. An added benefit from this rule is the stability it adds to the analysis when short-period fluctuations in the cloud pattern occur. In practice, the C.I. number is not lowered until the T-number has shown weakening for 12 hr or more. ABXX15 KMIA 210800Z SATELLITE TROPICAL DISTURBANCE SUMMARY ALL MOVEMENTS AND TRENDS 24 HOURS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED EAST PACIFIC GOES WEST IR NITE 210745Z TROPICAL STORM SUSAN. SEE LATEST NHC ADVISORY.* ITC 2 TO 4 DEGS WIDE XTNDG FM 6N 80W TO 11N 116W IS BRKN TO OCNLY OVC WITH HVST ACTIVITY ARND 11N 116W. SCTD ACTV ITC FM 9N 116W TO 12N 134W 2 DEG WIDE WAS BKN YDA. BRKN TO OVC AREA 3 TO 5 DEG IN DIA IS MDTLY ACTV CNTRD NEAR 11N 116W HAS MVD W 5 DEG WITH LTL CHG. ATLANTIC GOES EAST IR NITE 210630Z NO TROPICAL STORMS OBSERVED ITC 3 TO 5 DEG WIDE FM 1ON 20W TO 14N 50W IS MSTLY BRKN AND MDTLY ACTV WITH LTL GHG. BRKN ACTV ITC FM 14N 50W TO 17N 57W 4 DEG WIDE HAS INCREASED IN WIDTH. *Whenever a tropical system is located in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Eastern, or Central Pacific, Part 1 will carry the following statement: "See latest (NHC or CPHC) advisory(ies)." Figure 6-2. Sample satellite tropical disturbance summary. 6-6 MESSAGE HEADING: TPNT CccC A A. Designator of tropical cyclone category including CYCLONE DESIGNATOR name/number. When a cloud system has not yet been designated by name/number enter TROPICAL DISTURBANCE. Sample entry: TROPICAL STORM AMY (15) B B. Date and nodal crossing time in Zulu; round time DATE/TIME (Z) OF FIX to nearest minute. Sample entry. 252303Z C C. Latitude to nearest tenth of degree (N or S), LATITUDE OF POSITION followed by checksum. Sample entry: 29.9N/O 0 D D. Longitude to nearest tenth of degree followed by LONGITUDE OF POSITION checksum. Sample entry: 56.7 W/8 E E. Enter Position Code number (PCN) and source of POSITION CODE NUMBER data (DMSP, NOAA 2, etc.). Spell out PCN number. Select PCN number from code below: GEOGRAPHICAL GRIDDING EPHEMERIS GRIDDING ONE: eye fix TWO: eye fix THREE: well defined FOUR: well defined circulation circulation center center FIVE: poorly defined SIX: poorly circulation defined center circulation center Sample entry: ONE/DMSP F F. Dvorak classification for storm intensity as DVORAK CLASSIFICATION described in NOAA technical Memorandum NESS 45 and lWW/TN-81/001. Dvorak classification will be made once each day and must be based on visual data. If a new Dvorak classification number cannot be derived, use the last reported number. Include in parenthesis the date and nodal time of the data on which the Dvorak analysis is based. Sample entry: T 4.5/4.5/D1.0/25HRS (252305Z) G 'G. Include information, as appropriate, on data type, REMARKS eye characteristics, spiral rainbands, unexpected changes in storm movement, departures from Dvorak (modelled) intensities, etc. Figure 6-3. Center fix data form and message format (satel ite). 6-7 Table 6-2. Communications headings for satellite tropical disturbance summaries. HEADING TIME ISSUED OCEANIC AREA TYPE OF DATA TCI01 KWBC 1100 UTC Indian Ocean VIS TCIO11 KWBC 1100 UTC Indian Ocean VIS TCIO11 KWBC 2300 UTC Indian Ocean IR Day TCPW11 PHNL 1000 UTC Western Pacific IR Night (north and south of 100 E to 175 W) TCPW10O PHNL 2200 UTC Western Pacific VIS/IR Day (north and south of 100 E to 175 W) TCPA11 PHNL 1000 UTC Central Pacific IR Night (north and south of 175 W to 140 W) TCPA10O PHNL 2200 UTC Central Pacific VIS/IR Day (north and south of 175 W to 140 W) TCPW11 PHNL 0500 UTC Western Pacific VIS (north and south of 170 E) Table 6-3. The empirical relationship between the C.I. number and the maximum wind speed and the relationship between the T-number and the minimum sea-level pressure. C.I. NUMBER MAXIMUM T-NUMBER MINIMUM SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE WIND SPEED (Atlantic) (NW Pacific) 25 kt 1 1.5 25 1.5 2 30 2 1009 hPa 1003 hPa 2.5 35 2.5 1005 999 3 45 3 1000 994 3.5 55 3.5 994 988 4 65 4 987 981 4.5 77 4.5 979 973 5 90 5 970 964 5.5 102 5.5 960 954 6 115 6 948 942 6-8 CHAPTER 7 SURFACE RADAR REPORTING 7.1. General. Radar observations of tropical cyclones will be made at Department of Defense (DOD), National Weather Service (NWS), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar facilities and at other cooperating radar facilities according to established agreements with NWS. 7.2. Procedures. 7.2.1. Radar observations of tropical cyclones will be made in accordance with the Federal Meteorological Handbook (FMH)-7, Part A, Weather Radar Observations. Stations that normally transmitTPuorly radar weather observations (network stations) will include tropical cyclone features in routine reports at 35 min past the hour (H+35) and will make and transmit special observations at H+10 whenever an eye or center is observed. It is highly desirable for stations that do not normally transmit hourly reports (local warning radars) to make and transmit a radar observation whenever an eye, center, or spiral band is observed. The local warning radar sites may transmit only abbreviated special observations, defined in FMH-7, at H+10 and H+35. The Air Weather Service (AWS) units at MacDill AFB and Tyndall AFB, Florida will take and transmit radar reports, to include tropical cyclone features, at H+10 and H+35 whenever an eye or center is observed," All other AWS radar units will take and transmit such reports at H+35. 7.2.2. If the central region of a storm is defined by an identifiable wall cloud, the radar fix is reported as an EYE. If the central region is recognizable, but not well defined by a wall cloud, it is reported as a "center". When the eye or center is only occasionally recognizable or some other central region uncertainty exists, the eye or center is reported as "psbl eye" or "psbl center". Remarks stating the degree of confidence will be included with eye fixes only and will be classified as either "good,' 'fair,' or "poor." A "good" fix is reported when the eye is symmetrical--virtually surrounded by wall cloud; a "poor" fix is reported when the eye is asymmetrical--less than 50 percent surrounded by wall cloud; a "fair" fix is reported to express a degree of confidence between "good" and "poor." 7-1 7.2.3. Timely transmission of tropical cyclone radar reports is essential. Normally, radar reports are transmitted over the Automation of Field Operations and Service System or the CONUS Meteorological Data System circuit equipment. Radar facilities not having weather transmission capability may call the nearest National Weather Service Office collect. 7.3. Special Provisions. 7.3.1. If NWS network radars (WSR-57s and selected WSR-74s) and DOD weather radar facilities are collocated (within 25 nmi), the NWS radar will have the primary responsibility for making and transmitting tropical cyclone radar reports; DOD will provide backup service. If a radar facility is less powerful than the WSR-57 and is collocated with a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) long-range radar facility, the NORAD long-range radar facility will have the primary responsibility for making and transmitting tropical cyclone radar reports provided it is manned by a qualified weather radar operator. The less powerful radar facility will provide backup service. Any backup radar facility, however, may transmit radar reports as desired. 7.3.2. If radar reports are needed from NORAD long-range radar facilities, NWS will dispatch weather radar specialists to those facilities to make and transmit tropical cyclone radar observations. The DOD has authorized the Director, NWS, to dispatch NWS radar specialists to NORAD sites during critical hurricane threats to make and transmit hurricane radar observations. Specific procedures regarding notification, access to sites, clearances, etc., as agreed to by DOD and NWS will be the responsibility of the Warning and Forecast Branch, Office of Meteorology, NWS Headquarters, and will be strictly adhered to. 7.3.3. Air Weather Service staff weather officers providing support to NORAD long-range radar units act as coordinators for visits. These coordinators are the listed below. Telephone numbers are in Appendix H. Participating radar sites are listed in Table 7-1. · Commander, Detachment (Det) 9, 3rd Weather Squadron (WS) for the Southeast Air Defense Sector, Tyndall AFB, FL. · Commander, Det 8, 26 WS, for the Northeast Air Defense Sector, Griffiss AFB, NY. * Commander, Det 4, 20 WS, Hawaii Regional Operations Control Center (ROCC), Hickam AFB, HI, 7.3.4. The radar used depends upon the location of the hurricane; the one in use will be properly identified. 7-2 Table 7-1. Participating radar stations. LOCATION TYPE RADAR LATITUDE LONGITUDE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADARS o 0 Apalachicola, FL WSR-57 29 044'N 840591W Atlantic City, NJ WSR-57 3902 7 'N 7 4035'W Baton Rouge, LA# WSR-.74C 30 32'N 91 0901W Brownsville, TX WSR-57 25 054'N 97026'W Cape Hatteras, NC WSR-57 350 16'N 75 33'W Charleson, SC WSR-57 32 054'N 80002 W * Chatham, MA WSR-74S 41 039'N 690 57'W Corpus Christi, TX WSR-74C 27 046'N 973O'W Daytona Beach, FL WSR-57 29 011'N 81 003'W Galveston, TX WSR-57 29 18'N 94048'W Jackson, MS WSR-57 324033'N 9000451W Key West, FL WSR-57 2 3' 14' Lake Charles, LA WSR-57 30 007'N 930 13'W Los Angeles, CA# WSR-74C 34 003N 118 027'W Miami, FL WSR-57 25 043'N 80017'W Mobile, AL# WSR-74C 30 041'N 880 15'W Mt Laguna, CA FPS-7 32 053'N 116025'W New York City, NY WSR-57 40 046'N 730591W Patuxant, MD WSR-74S 38 17'N 76025'W Pensacola, FL WSR-57 30 021'N 87019'W Portland, ME WSR-57 43 039'N 700 181W San Jaun, PR FPS-67* 18 16'N 65046'W San Padro, CA ARSR 33 045'N 118 02O'W Savannah, GA WSR-74C 32 008'N 81 12'W Slidell, LA WSR-57 30 017'N 89049'W Tampa, FL WSR-57 27 042'N 82024'W Victoria, TX# 'WR-100-5 28 051'N 960551W Volens, VA WSR-74S 36 057'N 79000'W Waycross, GA WSR-57 31 015'N 82 024'W West Palm Beach, FL#I WSR-74S 26 041'N 800O6'W Wilmington, NC WSR-57 34 16'N 77 551W DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ---- --- --- --- --- ---- --- --- --- --- ---- --- --- --- --0--0 Andrews AFB, MD FPS-77 38 048'N 76 053'W Barksdale AFB, LA FPS-77 32 030'N 93 04O'W Bermuda NAS FPS-106 320 22'N 64041'W Cape Canaveral AFS, FL FPQ-21 28 028'N 80 033'W Chase Field NAS, TX FPS-106 28022'N 97 04OsW Cherry Point MCAS, NC FPS-106 34c'54'N 76"53'W Corpus Christi NSA, TX FPS-106 27 042'N 970 16'W Eglin AFB, FL FPS-77 30029'N 860'31'W Homestead AFB, FL FPS-77 25 291N 80023'W 7 -3 Howard AFB, CZ FPQ-21 080 77'N 79036'W Hurlbert Field, FL FPQ-21 30026'N 81041'W Jacksonville NAS, FL FPS-106 3001OWN 81041'W Keesler AFB, MS FPS-77 300 24'N 880551W MacDill AFB, FL FPS-77 270 511N 82030'W McGuire AFB, NJ FPS-77 40000O'N74 3' New Orleans NAS, LA FPS-106 290 50'N 90403'W Norfork NAS, VA FPS-106 360 561N 760181W Pope AFB, NC FPQ-21 350 121N 790011W Randolph AFB, TX FPS-77 290 32'N 98017'W Robins AFB, GA FPS-77 320 38'N 83036'W Seymour Johnson AFB, NC FPS-77 350 20'N 770581W Guantanamo Bay, Cuba FPS-106 190 54'N 750101W Roosevelt Roads, PR FPS-106 180 15'N 65 38'W Hickam AFB, HI FPQ-21 20 19'N 157'55'W NORAD SITES Northeast Air Defense Sector OLAF, 23ADS, Patrick AFB, FL** 280 13' N 820036'W OLAD, 23ADS, Ft Lonesome, FL** 27 036IN 80 0' OLAJ, 23ADS, Key West NAS, FL 240 351N 81041'W 678 RS, Tyndall, AFB, FL** 300 05'N 85 037'W 701 RS, Ft Fisher AFS, NC 330 59'N 77055'W OLAC, 23ADS, Jedburg, SC 330 06'N 80012'W Southeast Air Defense Sector 001 762 RS, North Truro AFS, MA 420 002'N 70003W 772 RS, Gibbsboro AFS, NJ 390 79'N 74057'W OLAA, 24ADS, Sulfolk, NY 4054'N 72042'W OLAE, 24ADS, Bucks Harbor, ME 44 038'N 67 24'W HAWAII ROCCO 150 AC&WS, Kokee, AFS, HI 22 009'N 159 39'W 169 AC&WS, Mt Kaala AFS, HI 210 30'N 1 581108'W COOPERATING SITES NASA Bay St Louis, MS CPS-9 300 42'N 89007'W Wallops Station, VA MPS-19 370 50N 75029'W SPS-12 370 56'N 75028'W FPS-16 3 501N 751129,W FPQ-6 37 052'N 75031'W Universities MIT CPS-9 42 042'N 71006,W M-33 420 42'N 71006'W Texas A&M CPS-9 30037'N 96021'W Univ of Miami SP-1M 25"43'N 80"17'W CPS-68 25 043'N 800 17'W *FAA-.USN joint-use radar,**Remoted to FAA ARTCC,#Local Warning Radar 7 -A CHAPTER 8 NATIONAL DATA BUOY CENTER REPORTING STATIONS 8.1. General. 8.1.1. The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) maintains automated reporting stations in the Gulf of Mexico, off the east and west coasts of the United States, and at coastal land areas. Also, a stockpile of four rapid response drifting data buoys are available for aerial deployment in the event of emergencies. These data acquisition systems obtain measurements of meterological apd oceanographic parameters for operations and research purposes. Moored buoy station locations and configurations are given in Table 8-1. The location of Coastal Marine Automated Network (C-MAN) stations are listed in Table 8-2 and shown in Figure 8-4. The status and capability of stations can be obtained from the Data Systems Division, NDBC. 8.1.2. Moored buoy and C-MAN stations routinely acquire, store, and transmit data every hour. Data obtained operationally include sea-level pressure, wind speed and direction, air temperature, sea-surface temperature, and wave spectral data. 8.1.3. Drifting buoys are available in two types called Wind Speed Direction (WSD) and Air Sea Interaction Drifter (ASID). A WSD buoy measures sea-level pressure, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and sea-surface temperature. An ASID buoy measures the same parameters and can be configured with a subsurface thermistor array to measure hydrostatic pressure and subsurface ocean temperature. See Figure 8-1. 8.2. Requests for Drifting Buoy Deployment. The Department of Commerce (DOC) through the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) will initiate a request through the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for each desired aerial deployment of drifting data buoys for a pre-storm array in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Normally, USAF C-130 or C-141 aircraft are tasked for this mission; the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron or the 815th Weather Operations Flight are not capable of deploying drifting data buoys. Requests for deployment should allow at least a 30-day lead time. For deployments in advance of a U.S. land-threatening hurricane, 8-1 a 36- to 48-hr notification is required. All requests will include specifics regarding onloading base, accompanying technicians, desired pickup times, offload points, reimbursement funding, and any other pertinent data. 8.2.1. The National Hurricane Center forecasters would issue an alert or outlook for a possible request for drifting buoy deployment 48 hr prior to the planned deployment. A formal request for deployment would be issued 24 hr prior to the event. At this point either a cancellation or an extension of the alert would be issued. Decisions would normally be made by 0900 EDT. 8.2.2. The DOC desires the deployment of up to four drifting buoys between 100 and 180 nmi from the storm center, depending on the dynamics of the storm system. The DOC would ensure the buoys and mission-related DOC personnel are available for pickup by Department of Defense aircraft. The specific DOC request for placement of the buoys would depend on several factors, including * Characteristics of the storm including size, intensity, and velocity. * Storm position relative to the coast and population centers. 8.2.3. The final deployment position will be provided prior to the flight crew briefing. Two examples of possible buoy deployment patterns are shown in Figure 8-2. 8.3. Communications. Moored buoy and C-MAN data are transmitted by ultra-high frequency communications via the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite to the National Enviromental Satellite, Data, and Information Service and then are relayed on to the National Meteorlogical Center (NMC) for processing and dissemination. Moored buoy data are formatted into the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) FM 13-IX ship code, and C-MAN data are formatted into C-MAN code, which is very similar to the WMO FM 12-IX synoptic code. These codes are defined in Federal Meteorlogical Handbook 2, Surface Synoptic Codes. Drifting buoy data are telemetered through the NOAA polar orbiting satellites to the U.S. ARGOS Global Processing Center, Landover Maryland, for processing. These data are formatted by Service ARGOS into the WMO FM 14-VIII (DRIBU) code defined in the WMO Manual on Codes, Volume I, and then are routed to NMC over the Global Telecommunications Service for distribution and dissemination to users in the United States. 8-2 Table 8-1. Data buoy locations and configuration. .__ __-------------------------- STATION ID LOCATION BUOY SIZE SENSOR HEIGHT MOORED BUOYS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO 42001 25.9°N 89.7 °W 10 m 10 m 42002 26.0°N 93.5 °W 10 m 10 m 42003 26.0°N 85.9 W 10 m 10 m 42007 30.1 °N 88.9oW 12 m 10 m 42015 * 30.1°N 88.2 W 3 m 5m 42016 * 30.2 N 88.1 IW 3 m 5 m MOORED BUOYS IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN 41001 34.90N 72.9°W 6 m 5 m 41002 32.30N 75.3 0 6 5m 41006 29.3 N 77.4 W 6 m 5 m 41008 * 30.7 N 81.1°W 3 m 5 m 41009 * 28.5 N 80.2 W 3 m 5 m 41010 * 28.9 N 78.6 W 10 m 10 m 44004 38.50N 70.6°W 6m 5m 44005 42.7 N 68.3 0 6m 5 m 44007 43.5°N 70.1°W 12 m 13 m 44008 40.5 N 69.5°W 12 m 13 m 44009 38.5 N 74.6°W 12 m 13 m 44011 41.1°N 66.6 6 m 5 m 44012 38.8 N 74.60W 12 m 13 m 44013 42.4 N 70.8°W 12 m 13 m MOORED BUOYS IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN 46011 * 34.90°N 120.9°W 10 m 10 m 4602'3 * 34.3°N 120.7 W 10 m 10 m 46025 * 33.7°N 119.1°W 10 m 10 m 51001 23.4 N 162.3°W 6 m 5 m 51002 17.2°N 157.8°W 6 m 5 m 51003 19.2 N 160.8°W 6 m 5 m 51004 17.5°N 152.5°W 6 m 5 m DRIFTING BUOYS STATION ID LOCATION BUOY SIZE ANEMOMETER HEIGHT WMO 5-digit Variable ASID or 1 m identifier WSD assigned immediately before deployment * Temporary sites established in support of other programs. 8-3 Figure 8-1. A drifting data buoy. 25 nm xnmi 55 nmi 95 nmi Projected path of storm Pattern A -x - * x 15 nmi T 15 nmi 45 nmi 45 nmi Projected path of storm Pattern B Figure 8-2. Drifting buoy deployment patterns. 8-4 STATIONS 9 S 951° 90° 8580' CATEGORY CANAD O PERMANENT - NWS O LNB/ELB - NWS : OTHER AGENCIES WIS O DEVELOPMENTAL NDBCt STATUS ( '· ESTABLISHED O PLANNED \ 8-d. N, -o lcto o-0° ,ooo0 s ,oo -'--0 GO Figure 8-3. NDBC buoy locations. Table 8-2. C-MAN sites. STATION ID LOCATION STATION NAME C-MAN SITES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO BURL1 28.9 N 89.4°W Southwest Pass, LA CSBF1 29.7 N 85.40W Cape San Blas, FL DPIA1 30.3 N 88.1 °W Dauphin Island, AL GDIL1 29.30N 90.00W Grand Isle, LA MPCL1 * 29.4 N 88.6°W Main Pass Block 133C PTAT2 27.8 N 97.1°W Port Aransas, TX SRST2 29.70 N 94.1°W Sabine, TX C-MAN SITES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ALSN6 40.50N 73.80W Ambrose Light, NY BUZM3 41.4 N 71.0 W Buzzards Bay, MA CHLV2 36.9 N 75.7 W Chesapeake, Light, VA CLKN7 34.60N 76.5 W Cape Lookout, NC DSLN7 35.2 N 75.3 W Diamond Shoals, NC FBIS1 32.7 N 79.9 W Folly Island, SC FPSN7 33.5 N 77.6 W Frying Pan Shoals, NC IOSN3 43.0 N 70.6°W Isle of Shoals, NH LKWF1 26.6 N 80.0 W Lake Worth, FL MDRM1 44.0 N 68.1 W Mt Desert Rock, ME MISM1 43.8°N 68.9 W Mantinicus Rock, ME MLRF1 25.00N 80.4 W Molasses Reef, FL SAUF1 29.90N 81.3 W St. Augustine, FL SPGF1 26.7°N 79.0 W Settlement Point, GBI SVLS1 32.0 N 80.7 0W Savannah Light, FL SMKF1 24.6 N 81.1°W Sombrero Key, FL TPLM2 38.9 °N 76.40W Thomas Point, MD VENF1 27.1 N 82.5 W Venice, FL C-MAN SITES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN CAR03 43.3 N 124.4 0W Cape Arago, OR DESW1 47.7 N 124.5 W Destruction Island, WA FFIA2 57.3°N 133.6 W Five Finger Light, AK NWPO3 44.6 N 124.1 W Newport, OR PTAC1 39.00N 123.7°W Point Arena, CA PTCG1 34.60N 120.7 W Point Arguello, CA SISW1 48.3 N 122.8 W Smith Island, WA TTIW1 48.40N 124.70°W Tatoosh Island, WA WPOW1 47.70N 122.4°W West Point, WA * Temporary site established in support of other programs. 8-6 NO. STATION A.. FIVE FINGER. AK w- A1 6-5 -W-6 DSTRUTION ISAN.WA E MOUTA DSTRC.M 6-9 W- POINT ARENA. CA EN.8 MATIN iCSROC NYE- ST - FPOINT. WAN- SOUHOBASS ISLN. OM WC- RT OROC FAE. Edo CAPELOOKOSLAN, NY CMT ARGEVLSILON. CA E-1 FOL DISAMND.SOASL .NC 67 W-B W- C H ISHLOAND. WA E.5 CEAMPROSE L S.. VA , P, 83 W-6 DASTSATIO ISLAND. WA E.6 MOUZZADESE BAOCLK. MA O BO APE SANNARDOC. OR E-4 TIOMAS POINT S H 8 OALSMI IE. NHE14 *- E-9 FRYNGPEAN SHOALS. FL 83SAN FRNCISO CA C-2 DEVILS ISLANDABIN. WI E - 1 4 DIMNDHALSTUCKET. MA .7 C-3 SHESOYSAN.S-3 E.UTHWASTROSS. LA. ST ERERE. NY S.4 CPER ARANSBAS. FL B-2 DERLAWAR-E fA.D S-5 ST AUGUSTINE. FL 8.7 FIVE FATHOM. NJ S-6 LAKE WORTH. FL 8-8 BOSTON. MA*E- S- ISETLMETPOINT. Gel CENTRAL.)@- C - CETALASKANS- RHC-5 (4) 4188 Figure 8-4. C-MAN sites. Table 8-3. Code forms for moored data buoys, C-MAN stations, and drifting buoys. CODE FORM FM 13-VII (SHIP) REPORT OF SYNOPTIC SURFACE OBSERVATION FROM A SEA STATION (AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION) M M M M A b b b b YYGGi 99La LaLa QLOLOLOLO irix/// /ddff lsn TTT 4PPPP 5appp 22200 OsnTwTwTwI lPwa Pwa Hwa Hwa 333 921ff 925ff 926dd U.S. NATIONAL CODE FORM (C-MAN LAND STATION CODE) (MODIFIED CODE FORM FM12-VI11) CMAN YYGGi XXXXnt iR9xhVV Nddff (Odfff) 1snTTT 4PPPP 5appp 6RRRt 222/I OsnTw T Tw IPwaPwaHwaHwa 7OHwa Hwa Hwa 333- 921ff 555 llfff 22fff 3GGgg 4 d dfm fmfm 9GGgg CODE FORM FM 14-VIII .(DIRBU) REPORT OF A DRIFTING BUOY OBSERVATION Mi Mi Mj Mj YYMMJJ GGggi Qc.La La LaLa Lo Lo LoLoLo (1PPPP) -(2snTwTwTw) (3ddff) (4sn TTT) (5appp) 888 ZO Z0To ToTo IZ z1Tj TjTj . zn Zzn TnTn Tn 999zz ZIzITj Tj Tj ** znzTnTn (00000) 61616 (1QpQ2QTWQ4) (PQnQL//) (QcLa La.LaLa Lo Lo Lo LoLo (8ViViViVi) or (HL VSVSdB dB 333 9i d dZ 696960 8-8 CHAPTER 9 MARINE WEATHER BROADCASTS 9.1. General. The Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are responsible for broadcasting marine tropical cyclone advisories issued by the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Table 9-1 lists the stations involved. The broadcasts are for the purpose of providing warnings to meet international obligations in Department of Commerce area of forecast responsibility given in Chapter 2. 9.2. Broadcast Procedures. The DOT and DOD will arrange for broadcast of all marine tropical cyclone advisories immediately upon receipt. The latest tropical cyclone forecast will be transmitted according to the schedule and on the frequencies given in Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts. The latest position estimate will be used by DOT and DOD along with the latest forecast for storms on which postions estimates are being issued. The broadcasts will be made in both voice and continuous wave (CW) mode. Table 9-1. Marine tropical cyclone forecast broadcast stations. STATION CALL LETTERS AGENCY LOCATION NMW DOT Astoria, OR NMF DOT Boston, MA NMO DOT Honolulu, HI NMQ DOT Channel Island, CA NMA DOT Miami, FL NMG DOT New Orleans, LA NAM DOD Norfolk, VA NMN DOT Portsmouth, VA NMC DOT San Francisco, CA NMR DOT San Juan, PR 9-1 CHAPTER 10 PUBLICITY 10.1. News Media Releases. News media releases, other than warnings and advisories, for the purpose of informing the public of the operational and research activities of the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Transportation should reflect the joint effort of these agencies by giving due credit to the participation of other agencies. 10.2. Distribution. Copies of these releases should be forwarded to the following agencies. * NOAA Office of Public Affairs 6010 Executive Boulvard Rockville, MD 20852 * Commander, Naval Oceanography Command Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 · Hq Military Airlift Command (MAC/PA) Scott AFB, IL 62225-5000 * Hq Air Force Reserve (AFRES/PA) Robins AFB, GA 31093 * Chief, Environmental Services Division (J-3) The Joint Chiefs of Staff Washington, DC 20301-5000 * Federal Aviation Administration (AAT-150) 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 * Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Suite 300, 11426 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 10-1 APPENDIX A ABBREVIATIONS -A- AB Data type header for Tropical Weather Outlook ADWS Automated Digital Weather System AES Atmospheric Environmental Service (Canada) AFB Air Force Base AFGWC Air Force Global Weather Central AFOS Automation of Field Operations and Services AFRES Air Force Reserve AFS Air Force Station AFSATCOM Air Force Satellite Communications System AFTN Aeronautical Fixed Telecommuncations Network APT Automatic Picture Transmission ARGOS ARGOS, Inc., a French data collection system ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center ARWO Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer ASDL Aircraft-to-Satellite Data Link ASID Air-Sea Interaction Drifter ATC Air Traffic Control AUTOVON Automated Voice Network (DOD) AV AUTOVON AVHRR Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer AWS Air Weather Service -C- CARCAH Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordinator, All Hurricanes (OL-G, 7WW) CDDF Central Data Distribution Facility (NESDIS) C.I. Current Intensity C-MAN Coastal-Marine Automated Network COM Commercial (telephone) CONUS Continental United States COMEDS CONUS Meteorological Data System (USAF) CPHC Central Pacific Hurricane Center CW Continuous Wave °C degree/degrees Celcius A-1 -D- DA Daylight Ascending DAF Department of the Air Force DCS Data Collection System deg degree (latitude or longitude) Det Detachment DMSP Defense Meteorological Satellite Program DOC Department of Commerce DOD Department of Defense DOT Department of Transportation DPTD departed DRIBU Drifting Buoy Code DROP Dropsonde/dropwindsonde DTG Date/Time Group -E- EDT Eastern Daylight Time ETA Estimated Time of Arrival ETD Estimated Time of Departure -F- FAA Federal Aviation Administration FACSFAC Fleet Aerial Control and Surveillance Facility FCM Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research FCMSSR Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research FCST forecast FCSTR forecaster FL Flight Level FLT LVL Flight Level FMH Federal Meterological Handbook ft foot/feet FTS Federal Telephone System -G= GAC Global Area Coverage_ GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GMS Geostationary Meteorological Satellite GTS Global Telecommunications System A-2 HA High Accuracy HD High Density HF High Frequency hPa hectopascal/hectopascals hr hour/hours HNL Honolulu (CPHC) HRPT High Resololution Picture Transmission -I- ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization ICMSSR Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research ID identification IFR Instrument Flight Rules INIT initials IR Infrared IWRS Improved Weather Reconnaissance System -j- JTWC Joint Typhoon Warning Center -K- km kilometer/kilometers KBIX ICAO identifier for Keesler AFB, MS KMHR ICAO identifier for Mather AFB, CA (Mather Monitor) KMIA ICAO identifier for Miami, FL (NHC) KMKC ICAO identifier for Kansas City, MO WSFO KNEW ICAO identifier for New Orleans, LA WSFO KSFO ICAO identifier for San Francisco, CA kt knot/knots KWAL ICAO identifier for Wallops Island, VA -L- LAC Local Area Coverage LF Light Fine LI Long Island LS Light Smooth A-3 -M- m meter/meters MAC Military'Airlift ,Command (USAF) MACR MAC RegulTaion MANOP communications header MAX maximum MB millibars METEOSAT European Space Agency meteorological satellite min/MIN minute MINOB Minute Observation (IWRS) MOU Memorandum of Understanding mph mile/miles per'hour MVMT movement -N- NASA National Spa6ceand Aeronautics Administration NAVEASTOCEANCEN Naval Eastern Oceanography Center NAVOCEANCOM Naval Oceanography Command NAVOCEANCOMDET Naval Oceanography Command Detachment NAVOCEANCOMFAC Naval Oceanography Command Facility NAVWESTOCEANCEN Naval Western Oceanography Center NDBC National Data Buoy Center NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data, and'Information Service NHC National HurriCane Center NHOP National 'Hurricane Operations Plan NLT Not Later Than NMC National Meterological Center nmi nautical mile/miles NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration' NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command NSSFC National Severe Storms Forecast Center NSTL National Space Technology Laboratories (NASA) NWS National Weather Service -0- OAC Oceanic Aircraft Coordinator (USN) OAO Office of .Aircraft Operations (NOAA) OBS observation OFCM Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meterological Services and Supporting Research OL-G Operating Location G, 7th Weather Wing (CARCAH) A-4 _p. PA Public Affairs PANC ICAO identifier for Anchorage, AK PCN Position Code Number PHNL ICAO identifier for Honolulu, HI POD Plan of the Day -R= RECCO Reconnaissance Code RECON reconnaissance REQT requested ROCC Regional Operational Control Center RTIR Real-Time Infrared -S- SAB Synoptic Analysis Branch SFC surface SFDF Satellite Field Distribution Facility SLP Sea Level Pressure SSH Mission Sensor Infrared Temperature Sounder (DMSP) SSIR Mission Sensor Infrared SSM/I Mission Sensor Microwave Imager SSM/T Mission Senson Microwave Temperature Sounder SST Sea Surface Temperature -T- TCD Tropical Cylone Discussion TCPOD Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day TD Tropical Depression TEMP temperature TEMP temporary TEMP DROP Dropwindsonde Code TF Thermal Fine TKO takeoff T-number Tropical classification number TOVS TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder TS Thermal Smooth TWO Tropical Weather Outlook A-5 -U- UHF Ultra High Frequency US/U.S. United States USAF United States Air Force USCG United States Coast Guard USN United States Navy UTC Universal Coordinated Time -V- VAS VISSR Atmospheric Sounder VDUC VAS Data Utilization Center VIS Visible VISSR Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer VTPR Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer -W- WEFAX Weather Facsimile WMO World Meteorological Organization WND wind WO Data type header for special tropical disturbance statements WRS Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WS (National) Weather Service WS Weather Squadron WSD Wind Speed and Direction (data bouy) WSFO Weather Service Forecast Office WSR Weather Surveillance Radar WT Data type header for hurricane bulletins WW Weather Wing (USAF) WW Data type header for subtropical storm bulletins -X- XMTD transmitted -Z- Z Zulu (UTC) A-6 APPENDIX B GLOSSARY Agency. Any Federal agency or organization participating in the tropical cyclone warning service. Center Fix. The location of the center of a tropical or sub- tropical cyclone obtained by means other than reconnaissance aircraft penetration. See also Vortex Fix. Cyclone. An atmospheric closed circulation rotating counter- clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. Eye. The relatively calm center of the tropical cyclone that is more than one half surrounded by wall cloud. Eye Wall. An organized band of cumuliform clouds immediately surrounding the center of a tropical cyclone. Eye wall and wall cloud are used synonymously. High Density/High Accuracy (HA/HD) Data. Those data provided by automated airborne systems--WP-3s or WC-130s equipped with the Improved Weather Reconnaissance System. Hurricane/Typhoon. A warm core tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (1-min mean) is 64 kt (74,mph) or more. Hurricane Season. The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The seasons for the specific areas are as follows: * Atlantic, Caribbean, June 1 to November 30 and Gulf of Mexico * Eastern Pacific May 15 To November 30 * Central Pacific June 1 to November 30 Hurricane Warning Offices. The designated hurricane warning offices follow: · National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida * Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Honolulu, HI Hurricane Warning. A warning that sustained winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hr or less. A hurricane B-1 warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force. Hurricane Watch. An announcement for specific coastal areas that a hurricane or an incipient hurricane condition poses a possible threat, generally within 36 hr. Miles. The term "miles" used in this plan refers to nautical miles (nmi) unless otherwise indicated. Mission Identifier. The nomenclature assigned to tropical and a subtropical cyclone aircraft reconnaissance missions for weather data identification. Its an agency-aircraft indicator a followed by a Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordinator, All Hurricanes (CARCAH) assigned mission-system indicator. Present Movement. The best estimate of the movement of the center of a tropical cyclone at a given time and at a given position. This estimate does not reflect the short-period, small-scale oscillations of the cyclone center. Reconnaissance Aircraft Sorties. A flight that meets the requirements of the tropical cyclone plan of the day. Relocated. A term used in an advisory to indicate that a a vector drawn from the preceding advisory position to the latest known position is not necessarily a resonable representation of the cyclone's movement. Storm Surge. An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is, the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic tide from the observed storm tide. Storm Tide. The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combi-ned with the storm surge. Subtropical Cyclone. A low pressure system that develops over subtropical waters that initially has a non-tropical circulation but in which some elements of tropical cyclone cloud structure are present. Subtropical Depression. A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (1-min mean) is 33 kt (38 mph) or less. i B-2 Subtropical' Storm. A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (i-min mean) is 34 kt (39 mph) or greater. Synoptic Track. Weather reconnaissance mission flown to provide vital meteorological information in data sparce ocean areas as a supplement to existing surface, radar, and satellite data. Synoptic flights better define the upper atmosphere and aid in the prediction of tropical cyclone development and movement. Tropical Cyclone. A warm core, nonfrontal low pressure system ,of synoptic scale that develops over tropical or subtropical waters and has a definite organized surface circulation. Tropical Cyclone Plan of the Day. A coordinated mission plan that tasks operational weather reconnaissance requirements during the next 0500 to 0500 UTC day or as required, describes reconnaissance flights committed to satisfy both operational and research requirements, and identifies possible reconnaissance requirements for the succeeding 24-hr period. Tropical Depression. A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (1-min mean) is 33 kt (38 mph) or less. Tropical Disturbance. A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection--generally 100 to 300 mi in diameter--originating in the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hr or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field. Tropical Storm. A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (1-min mean) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph) to 63 kt (73 mph). Tropical Storm Warning. A warning for tropical storm conditions including sustained winds within the range of 39 to 73 mph (34"to 63 kt) that are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hr or less. Tropical Storm Watch.- An announcement that a tropical storm poses-or tropical storm conditions pose a threat to coastal areas generally within 36 hr. A tropical storm watch should normally not be issued if the system is forecast to attain hurricanesstrength. B-3 Tropical Wave. A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere or may be the reflection of an upper tropospheric cold low or equatorial extension of a middle latitude trough. Tropical Weather System. A designation for one of a series of tropical weather anomalies. As such, it is the basic generic designation, which in successive stages of intensification, may be classified as a tropical disturbance, wave, depression, storm, or hurricane. Typhoon/Hurricane. A warm core tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (1-mmn mean) is 64 kt (74 mph) or more. Vortex Fix. The location of the surface and/or flight level center of a tropical or subtropical cyclone obtained by reconnaissance aircraft penetration. See Center Fix, also. Wall Cloud. An organized band of cumuliform clouds immediately surrounding the center of a tropical cyclone. Wall cloud and eye wall are used synonymously. B-4 APPENDIX C BIBLIOGRAPHY OF OFFICIAL INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS The following references are pertinent to the agreed interagency responsibilities designated in this plan: * Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), dated March 16, 1976. The purpose of this MOU is to establish policies, principles, and procedures under which the DAF will provide aircraft weather reconnaissance to NOAA. = Memorandum of Understanding between the Military Airlift Command (MAC) and the Director of Operations, Logistics and Emergency Planning (NOAA), dated October 12, 1976. The purpose of this MOU is to establish procedures by which NOAA will reimburse MAC and the Air Force Reserve for airborne weather reconnaissance. APPENDIX D DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Regional Office of Audits 1 DOC Budget Office 1 NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Director, Office of Public Affairs, NOAA 2 NOAA Library 4 Director, Office of NOAA Corps (NC) 1 Admin Office, Office of Aircraft Operations 20 Director, National Climate Program (CP) 1 NOAA Budget Officer, Office of Management and Budget 1 Asst Administrator for Ocean Svcs and Coastal Zone 1 Management (N) Asst Administrator for Satellite and Information Services (E) 1 Chief, Satellite Services Division (E/SP2) 1 Chief, Information Services Division, National 2 Climatic Data Center Director, Office of Climate and Atmospheric Research (R/.CAR) 1 Director, Program Development and Coordination Staff (R/PDC) 1 Director, Environmental Research Laboratories 4 Director, AOML Hurricane Research Division (R/E/AO) 5 Asst Administrator for Weather (W) 1 Director, Office of Meteorology (W/OM) 1 Chief, International Activities Division (W/OM3) 1 Chief, Warning and Forecast Branch (W/OM11) 20 Chief, Aviation Services Branch (W/OM13) 1 Chief, Services Development Branch (W/OM23) 1 Director, Office of Hydrology (W/OH) 1 Director, National Meteorological Center (W/NMC) 5 Chief, Meteorological Operations Division (W/NMC3) 2 Chief, Development Division, NMC (W/NMC2) 1 WFSO, Washington 5 Director, National Data Buoy Center 23 Director, National Hurricane Center 20 Director, NWS Eastern Region 50 Director, NWS Central Region 16 D-1 Director, NWS Southern Region 50 Director, NWS Western Region 15 Director, NWS Pacific Region 15 Chief, Library Div MASC 1 WFSO, Boston, MA 5 WFSO, San Jaun, PR 5 WFSO, Redwood City, CA 5 WFSO, New Orleans, LA 5 WFSO, Miami, FL 1 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HQ USAF/XOORF 2 HQ USAF/XOORZ 1 HQ USAF/REO 3 HQ USAF/PRPFM 1 HQ MAC/XPPT/XPQS/DOOS 3 HQ AFRES/DOOM 3 HQ 4AF/DOO 2 HQ 23 AF/DO/DOC/DOO 4 HQ 41 RWRW/DOO 2 53 WRS/DO 2 HQ 403 TAW/DO 2 815 TAS/DO 2 815 WOF/DOW 20 HQ AWS/CSE 70 OL-G, 7WW/CARCAH 20 Det 1, 7WW/CC 30 3350 TCHTG/TTMU 1 AFGL/LY 1 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Hq Department of the Army/DAMI-IS 2 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY Commandant of the Marine Corps (DCS/Aviation) 7 Oceanographer of the Navy 2 Commander, Naval Oceanography Command 100 Commander in Chief (02M) U.S. Pacific Fleet 1 USCINCPAC (J37) 1 Commanding Officer, NAVOCENACOMCEN/JTWC Guam 3 Commanding Officer, NAVOCENCOMFAC, San Diego 1 COMTHIRDFLT 1 CINCLANTFLT/OAC 1 Commander, Naval Air Systems Command 2 COMFITMATAEWWINGLANT, Oceana NAS, VA 1 Commanding Officer, NAVEASTOCEANCEN, Norfolk, VA 5 D-2 Commanding Officer, NAVOCEANCOMFAC, Jacksonville 2 Commanding Officer, NAVWESTOCEANCEN, Pearl Harbor, HI 5 Officer in Charge, NAVOCEANCOMDET, Barbers Pt, HI 1 Officer in Charge, NAVOCEANCOMDET, FPO Miami, FL 1 Commanding Officer, NAVOCEANCOMFAC, FPO New York, NY 1 OFFICE OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF OJCS/J3/ESD 6 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Air Traffic Operations Service ATO-1 (ATO 100) 40 Air Traffic Requirements Service ATR-1 40 FAA-AIA 101 3 FAA AMC 100 3 Miami AIFSS (QAS) 2 FAA ATO 120, NWS 5 Each FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (TMO/NWS/MLS) 3 U.S. COAST GUARD Commandant, USCG Headquarters (G-OIO) 3 Commandant, USCG (FLAGPLOT) 1 Commander, Atlantic Area, USCG 2 Commander, First Coast Guard District 1 Commander, (OPC) Third Coast Guard District 2 Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District 2 Commander, (RE) Seventh Coast Guard District 3 Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District 3 Commanding Officer, Otis AFB, MA 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Clearwater, FL 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Opa Locka , FL 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Floyd Bennett 1 Field, Brooklyn, NY Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, New Orleans, LA 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Elizabeth City, NJ 1 Commander, Pacific Area, USCG 2 Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District 1 Commander, Twelfth Coast Guard District 1 Commander, Fourteeth Coast Guard District 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, McClellan AFB, CA 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Barbers Point, HI 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Air Station, Kodiak, AK 1 Commanding Officer, USCG Reserve Training Center 1 D-3 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE World Agriculture Outlook Board DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Chief, Science and Technology Staff Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Liaison Engineering and Research DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of Advanced Technology NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Director, Meteorology Program Director, Division of Atmospheric Science NATIONAL SPACE AND AERONAUTICS ADMINISTRATION Director, Atmospheric Sciences Division, MSFC OTHER U.S. Roddenbery Memorial Library, Cairo, GA Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress CWP Project Office, JPL University of Chicago Library, The Joseph Regenstein Library South Florida Water Management District Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center, Institute of Behavioral Science Dr. William Gray, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University Mr. Jerry Hill, CCM GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Director, Canadian Meteorological Centre, (AES) Downsview, ON Meteorolical Operations Division, Canadian Meteorological Centre, (AES) Dorval, QU Officer in Charge, METOC Centre, Maritime Command Headquarters, Halifax, NS Base Meteorological Officer, CFB Greenwood, NS Base Meteorological Officer, CFB Summerside, PEI Maritime Weather Centre (AES), Bedford NS D-4 UNITED KINGDOM Assistant Director, Head of Defence Services, Meteorological Office APPENDIX E SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE1 CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE--WEAK Winds2: 75-95 mph (65-82 kt) at standard anemometer elevations. F-scale is 1.0-1.4. Damage is primarily to shubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored mobile homes. No real damage occurs to building structures. Some damage is done to poorly constructed signs. Storm Surge: Nominally is 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) above normal. Low-lying coastal roads are inundated, minor pier damage occurs, some small craft in exposed anchorages break moorings. CATEOGORY TWO HURRICANE--MODERATE Winds: 96-110 mph (83-95 kt) at standard anemometer elevations. F-scale is 1.5-1.9. Considerable damage is done to shrubbery and tree foliage, some trees are blown down. Major structural damage occurs to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage occurs to poorly constructed signs. Some damage is done to roofing material, windows, and doors; no major damage occurs to building structures. Storm Surge: Nominally is 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) above normal. Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland are cut by rising water 2-4 hr before arrival of center. Considerable pier damage occurs, marinas are flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying island areas is required. CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE--STRONG Winds: 111-130 mph (96-113 kt) at standard anemometer elevations. F-scale is 2.0-2.4. Damage occurs to shrubbery and trees: foliage is blown off trees, large trees are blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs are blown down, some roofing material damage occurs, some window and door damage occurs, and some structural damage occurs to E-1 small residences and utility buildings. Mobile homes are destroyed. There is a minor amount of curtainwall failure. Storm Surge: Nominally is 9-12 ft (2.7-3.7 m) above normal. Serious flooding occurs at the coast with many smaller structures near the coast destroyed. Larger structures are damaged by battering of floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland are cut by rising water 3-5 hr before the center arrives. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft (1.5 m) above sea level may be flooded inland 8 mi (12.9 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of the shoreline may be required. CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE--VERY STRONG Winds: 131-155 mph (114-135 kt) at standard anemometer elevations. F-scale is 2.5-2.9. Shrubs and trees are blown down, all signs are down. Extensive roofing'material damage occurs, extensive window and door damage occurs, complete failure of roof structures occurs on many small residences, and complete destruction of mobile homes occurs. Some curtainwalls experience failure. Storm Surge: Nominally is 13-18 ft (3.9-5.5 m) above normal. Terrain continuously lower than 10 ft (3 m) above sea level may be flooded inland as far as 6 mi (9.7 km). Major damage occurs to lower floors of structures near the shore due to flooding and battering action. Low-lying escape routes inland may be cut by rising water 3-5 hr before the storm center arrives. Major erosion of beach areas occurs. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yds (457 m) of the shoreline may be required and of single-story residences on low ground within 2 mi (3.2 km) of the shoreline. CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE--DEVASTATING Winds: Greater than 155 mph (135 kt) at standard anemometer elevation. F-scale is 3.0 or greater. Shrubs and trees are down, roofing damage is considerable, all signs are down. Very severe and extensive window and door damage occurs. Complete failure of roof structures occurs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive glass failures occur, some complete buildings fail, small buildings are overturned and blown over or away, and complete destruction of mobile homes occurs. Storm Surge: Height is nominally greater than 18 ft (5.5 m) above normal. Major damage occurs to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft (4.6 m) above sea level and within 500 yd (457 m) of the shoreline. Low-lying E-2 escape routes inland are cut by rising water 3-5 hr before the storm center arrives. Massive evacuations of residential areas situated on low ground within 5-10 mi (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. T The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane (SSH) Scale does not apply to the Pacific Islands. 2 Definition of a sustained wind (from Fujita and Simpson, 1972). A sustained wind is one that persists for the minimum time period to establish optimal dynamic forces on a nominal building structure. T. Fujita, 1971: "Proposed Characteristics of Tornadoes and Hurricanes by Area and Intensity," University of Chicago (SMRP) Research Paper No. 91. E-3 APPENDIX F PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION LISTING CARIBBEAN BASIN Ab a co AB-a-ko Anguill1a ang-GW IL-a Antigua an-TEE-gua Ar'ub a ah-ROO-ba Antilles an-TIL-l eez Azores uh-ZOHRZ Bahamas ba-HAHM-ahs Barbuda bar-BOO-dah Barranquilla bahr-rahn-KEE-yah Ba rahona ba- ra -HO-na Basse-Terre bahs-TER Bermuda ber-MYOO-da Bil oxi bi -LUX-ee Bimini BIM-i-ni Bonai re ba-NAIR Cap Haitien kahp ah-ee-SYAN Ca racas kah-RAH-kahs Caribbean ka r-a-BE-an Castri es KAS-t rees Cayman kay-MAHN Charlotte Amalie SHAR-lot a-MAHL-ye Co zumel koh-soo-MEL Curacao koor-a-SOH Domini ca dom-i-NEE-ka Eleuthera el-00-thera. Exuma ek-SOO-ma Fl ores F LO0- ri s h Fort de France for-de-FRAHNS Grenada gre-NAY-dah Guadal oupe GWAH-deh-l oop Guatemal a gwaht-eh-MAH-l a Leeward LEE-ward Maiacaibo mar-a-KYE-boh Ma racay Mah-rah-KYE Marigot ma- ree-GOH Merida MAY-re-thah Miami mye-AM-ee F-i Montego mon-TEE-go Montserrat mont-se-RAT Nicaragua nik-a-RAH-gwah Ocho Rios OH-cho REE-os Oranjestad o-RAHN-yuh-stat Paramaribo par-a-MAR-i-boh Parguera par-GWER-a Pointe-a-Pitre pwan-ta-PEE-tr Ponce PON-sa Port-au-Prince port-oh-PRINS Saba SAH-ba Sao Miguel (Azores) soun ME-gel St. Croix SAINT croy St. Lucia SAINT LOO-she-a Soufriere soo-free-AR Surinam SOOR-i-nam Tampico tam-PEE-ko Tela TAY-lah Tobago to-BAY-go Yucatan yoo-ka-TAN F-2 APPENDIX G RECCO, MINOB, AND TEMP DROP CODES, TABLES AND REGULATIONS G-1 DATE OR MGANIZATIDN MISSION IDENTIFIER TYPE AIRCRAFT CALL SIGN S 9 0 Time WEEK JLO 114 "dXSUE DIRECTION F T1IMP- imINDCATORcv INDICATOR C TYPE C TYPE C TYPE mac sINmATt L* . ::N:7TQF:-AUE INEF RO ALTITUDE CATU FLGT KRTR .6.O1 I , 311 AD T_ _ _ _ T A P r, TO NEAREST aGo- 1 OSSERVA- TEN THS DEC AMETER WIND 2 DW HPOTENTIAL AMOUNT BASF SAsE BASIC TION S L Lo (NoI*4) Ia I r N M I a 3 OF ' T .6t. 12 5 T-bf. 12 £ .hI. 12 J, 0 - lmooo.. - LATITUDE SPEED - 'M POINV AEGNT M Da ant. EGEs TUR- TYPE or 0TAU COD x L AND 2.5.4, 2.5* IFLIGHW H O L E 0NO, ALTITUDE PI ALTITUDE H *LTITUDE _______ : N aw FI A (NWaleS) SLP PER S t I FL OFS LEVEL PRESENT -INDEX - OF _ F - O IdrNC L -: L ANN. e W ETE (N-t- 9) M, TOP TOP Too C OD *'I( 2.1? (IIet)H I* M 0 Toe1 H rw Tolo. OC*# i.15.6 ) oxaft Thh 1,61 T12bl*e 12 I76-1 ITbl. 1t R 1 2 3456 7 S910 I 1 12 M H MARKS CD CD CD CLOUD CLOUD CLOUD INDICA- INDICATORI I INDICATOR C TYPEC C TYPE C TYPE 4 ToR 6 INDICATOm INI oCATOR 7 INDICATOF 7 INDICATOR I INDICATOR 9INDICATOR rm*1 11 T.1,1. 11 Tabi. if I (Imts, 11) (NOt* 11) NROF 5 SGNIFIC- SIGNIFIC- RATE OF ECHO WIDTI- INFLIGHT R 0.. CLOUD ALTITUDE ALTITUDE ALTITUDE " "DI'D W% ANY RICA WS A14T WEA g CN 1 ALT OF SAIG O IM VSBLT [rifot. ) or orF am or TION O SS As -w. 14 TWA. 17 BASF Or OF TabS. M9 SF IDDISTANCE DISTANCE I C N CO LENGTH OF 1.0 N AMOUNT B SAIC ASAG BASK SF ID or OCCUR OF OCCUR. ITYPE or STRATUM II CENTER E A, AXST E A OS PENCEC OF RC F I I I G h ,I-AI JOB rb. 12' " r.61.J12 S ri. I12 Z s 2511 BECOF CN 1 ma. Wr (T..s .n. W '. 2.i. IS .5. .8 2.11 o..T ) T. 19 SFACE DISTANT DIATANT DISTANCE DITACE CHBAT. TRE S CLOUDS ALTITUDE M ALTYITUDE ALTITUDE f "URFC Si WEATHE wv ATE SbI FIC 44 am SpINo Tbf t n 2.bl. 16 ING 7.65105 OF TOP OP ICN Co WDErEE or or orF - SPEED Tbis a19 T.61- 2; ERE (N t.,) TOP TOP TOP (I t ) SOMGARING 4 BEARWING DISANC RORENT7A- IT N OFTOp EDN STRATU TIOP SOF OFN ECO T ICINGH C et F w0 or d OFRTU F S CNTNorICON Hi is) ELLIPSE 7.51.0 10 57.11. 12H H,912 I251 Am II!: r l T lo 5 2.12 Tb.2 Tbf. 22 13 14 15 16 17 16 19 20 11 22 23 24 -rII Table G-1. Reconnaissance code tables. TABLE 1I XXX TABLE 6 dt TABLE 11 C 222 Sec One Observation without radar 0 Spot Wind 0 Cirrus (Ci) capability 1 Average Wind 1 Cirrocumu'lus(Cc) 555 Sec Three (Intermediate) observation / No wind reported 2 Cirrostratus (Cs) with or without radar capability 3 Altocumulus (Ac) 777 Sec One Observation with radar TABLE 7 da 4 Altostratus (As) capability 5 Nimbostratus (Ns) 0 Winds obtained using doppler radar or 6 Stratocumulus (Sc) TABLE 2 id inertial systems 7 Stratus (St) 1 Winds obtained using other navigation 8 Cumulus (Cu) 0 No dew point capability/acft below equipment and/or techniques 9 Cumulonimbus (Cb) 10,000 meters / Navigator unable to determine wind or / Cloud type unknown due 1 No dew point capability/acft at or above wind not compatible to darkness or other 10,000 meters analogous phenomena 2 No dew point capability/acft below TABLE 8 w 10,000 meters and flight Ivl temp -50°C TABLE 12 hshsHtHthihiHiHi or colder 0 Clear 3 No dew point capability/acft at or above 1 Scattered (trace to 4/8 cloud coverage) 00 Less than 100 10,000 meters and flight Ivl temp -500C 2 Broken (5/8 to 7/8 cloud coverage) 01 100 ft 'or colder 3 Overcast/undercost 02 200 ft 4 Dew point capability/acft below 10,000 4 Fog, thick dust or haze 03 300 ft meters 5 Drizzle etc, etc 5 Dew point capability/acft at or above 6 Rain (continous or intermittent precip - 49 4,900 ft 10,000 meters from stratiform clouds) 50 5,000 ft 6 Dew point capability/ocft below 10 ,000 7 Snow or rain and snow mixed 51-_55 Not used meters and flight Ivl temp -500C or 8 Shower(s) (continous or intermittent 56 6,000 ft colder precip - from cumuliform clouds) 57 7,000 ft 7 Dew point capability/oacft at or above 9 Thunderstorm(s) etc, etc 10,000 meters and flight Ivl temp _500c / Unknown for any cause including dark 79 29,000ft or colder ness 80 30,000 ft 81 35,000 ft TABLE Q TABLE9 j 82 40.000 ft 0 09 -901 W Northern 0 Sea level pressure in whole millibars etc, etc o90o0 W- 10 W Northern (thousands tfig if any omitted) 89 Greater than 70000 ft 2 1800 9- 0 E Northern 1 Altitude 200 mb surface in geopotential // Unknown 3 900 - 00 E Northern TABLE 13 d (thousands fig it any omitted) 4 Not Used 2 Altitude 850 mb surface in geopotential 5 0° - 900 W Southern meters (thousands fig omitted) 0 No report 6 900 -1800 W Southernrr 3 Altitude 700 mb surface in geopotential 1 NE 7 NW 71 8 Gr meters (thousand fig omitted) 2 E 8 N 7 1800 - 90 E Southern 4 Altitude 500 mb surface in geopotential 3 SE 9 all directions 8 900 - 00 E Southern decometers 4 S 5 Altitude 400 mb surface in geopotential 5 SW TABLE 4 B decametets 6 H 6 Altitude 300 mb surface in geopotentiol 0 None decameters TABLE 14 Ws 1 Light turbulence 7 Altitude 250 mb surface in geopotential 2 Moderate turbulence in clear air, infre- decameters (thousands fig iMany omitted) 0 No change quent 8 D - Value in geopotential decameters; 1 Marked wind shift 3 Moderate turbulence in clear air, frequent if negative 500 is added to HHH 2 Beginning or ending of marked 4 Moderate turbulence in cloud, infrequent 9 No absolute altitude available or geopop turbulence 5 Moderate turbulence in cloud, frequent tential data not within + 30 meters/4 mb 3 Marked temperature change (not with 6 Severe turbulence in clear air, infrequent accuracy requirements. altitude) 7 Severe turbulence in clear air, frequent TABLE 10 N 4 Precipitation begins or ends 8 Severe turbulence in cloud, infrequent 5 Chanoe in cloud forms 9 Severe turbulence in cloud frequent 9 Seoerae turbulence in cloud layers (place holder) 6Fog r icen fog bank begins or ends TABL.E f5 1 okta or less, but not zero 8 Cold front (1/8 or lose sky covered) 9 Front, type not specified 0 In the clear 3 3 oktas (or 3/8 sky covered) TABLE 15 SbS'SS 8 In and Out of clouds 4 4 oktas (or 4/1 of sky covered) 9 In clouds all the time (continous IMC) 5 5 oktas (or 5/e of sky covered) / Impossible t determine due to darkness 7 7 okts or ore bute not 8 akPrevious position 7 7oktas or kmyre cml not covetas or other cause 8 8 oktas or sky completely covered 2 Present position 9 Sky obscured (place holder) 3 30 nautical miles 4 60 nautical miles 5 90 nautical miles 6 120 nautical miles 7 150 nautical miles 8 180nautical miles 9 More than 180 nautical miles / Unknown (not used for eS) G-3 Table G-1. Reconnaissance code tables (continued). TABLEIA wd TABLE 23 Vi 0 No report 1 Inflight visibility 0 to and including I nautical mile I Signs of a trapical cyclone 2 Inflight visibility greater than I and not exceeding 3 nautical miles 2 Ugly threatening sky 3 Inflight visibility greater than 3 nautical miles 3 Duststorm or sandstorm 4 Fog or ice fog 5 Waterspout 6 Cirrostratus shield or bank 7 Altostratus or altocumulus shield or bank a Line of heAvy cumulus 9 Cumutoffimbus heads or thunderstorms TABLE]i Ir RECCO SYMBOLIC FORM 7 Light SECTION ONE (MANDATORY)LOf .hld 8 Moderate 9XXX0 GGggi d YQLLLa LaLL hihdd 9 Severe ddfff TTTdTdw /iHHH / Unknown or contrails SECTION TWO (ADDITIONAL) TABL.E,.1i It lkNN,N, Ch hHtHl. ...d...dlff O None 6jsdw7[r't b e 7hiki HjHi dd1 SO 1 Rime ice in clouds 8EwESsCdi 9Vidr rO. 2 Clear ice in clouds EEcI 9VTTT 3 Combination rime and clear ice in clouds 4 Rime ice in precipitation SECTION THREE (INTERMEDIATE) 5 Clear ice in precipitation 6 Combination rime and clear ice in precip 9XXX9 GGggid YQLaLOLa LLoL.e3f, haiahadtd 7 Frost (icing in clear air) ddfff TTTdTdw /iHHH 8 Nonpersistent contrails ,'1ess then 1/4 nautical miles long) 9 Persistent contrails TABLE 19 SrEwEi o ONM 5 50NM I IONM 6 60-8ONM 2 20NM 7 B0-100NSM 3 30NM a 100-15ONM 4 40NM 9 Greater than 10NMM /Unknown TABLE 20 O, o Circular I NNE - SSW 2 NE - SW 3 ENE - WSW 4 E- W 5 ESE - WNW 6 SE - NW 7 SSE - NNW 85s- N /Unknown TABLE 21 ce 1 Scattered Area 12 Solid Area 3 Scattered Line 4 Solid Line 5 Scattered, all quadrants 6 Solid, all quadrants /Unknown TABLE 22 'e 2 Weak 5 Moderate 8 Strong /Unknown G-4 Table G-2. Reconnaissance code regulations. 1. At the time of the observation the aircraft 8. When i is reported as a 9, HHH is observing platform is considered to be located encoded as on the axis of a right vertical cylinder with a radius of 30 nautical miles bounded by the earth's surface and the top of the atmosphere. 9. If the number of cloud layers reported Present weather, cloud amount and type, tur- exceeds 3, k in the first 1-group reports bulence, and other subjective elements are the total number of cloud layers. The sec- reported as occuring within the cylinder. ond 1-group reports the additional number Flight level winds, temperature, dew point, of layers being reported exclusive of those and geopotential values ore sensed or computed previously reported. In those cases where and reported as occuring at the center of the a cloud layer(s) is discernible, but a descrip- observation circle. Radar echoes, significant tive cloud picture of the observation circle is weather changes, distant weather, and icing not posible, use appropriate remarks such as are phenomena that may also be observed/ "clouds bl o" or As blo" to indicate the reported. Code groups identifying these presence of Icouds. In such cases, coded phenomena may be reported as necessary to entries are not made for group 9. The sequence adequately describe met conditions observed. in which cloud amounts are encoded depends upon type of cloud, cloud base, and vertical 2. The intermediate observation (Section Three) extent of the cloud. The cloud with the is reported following Section One (or Section largest numerical value of cloud type code (C) Two if appended to Section One) in the order is reported first, regardless of coveraqe, base, that it was taken. or vertical extent. Among clouds of the same cloud type code sharing a common base, the cloud of greatest vertical extent is reported 3. Plain language remarks may be added as first. The summation principle is not used; appropriate. These remarks follow the lost each layer is treated as though no other encoded portion of the horizontal or vertical clouds were present. The total amount of observation and will clearly convey the in- clouds through one altitude shared by several tended message. Vertical observations will clouds will not exceed 8 oktas. Only use not include meteorological remarks. These code figure 0 as a place holder when you remarks must begin with a letter or word- E.G. "FL TEMP" vice "700 MB FL TEMP". can determine that no additional cloud The last report plain language remarks are layers exist. In case of undercast, over- mandatory, i.e., "LAST REPORT. OBS cast, etc., use code figure 9 as a place- 01 thru 08 to RJTY, OBS 09 and 10 to RPMK". holder. 10. Due to limitations in the ability to 4. The hundreds digit of longitude is omit- distinguish sea state features representative ted for longitudes from 1000 to 1800. of wind speeds above 130 knots, surface wind speeds in excess of 130 knots will not be encoded. Wind speeds of 100 to 130 knots 5. Describe conditions along the route of flight inclusive will be encoded by deleting the actually experienced at flight level by aircraft. hundreds figure and adding 50 to dd. For wind speeds above 130 knots, dd is reported 6. TT, TdTd. When encoding negative tempera- without adding 50 and ff is encoded as // tures, 50 is added to the absolute value of the with a plain language remark added, I.E., temperature with the hundreds figure, if any, -sfc wind above 130 knots. being omitted. A temperature of -520C is given as 02, the distinction between -520C 11. Significant weather changes which have and 2°C being made from id. Missing unknown occurred since the last observation along temperatures are reported as //. When the the trackorepartedfarWs. dew point is colder than -49.40C, Code TdTd as //and report the actual value as a plain 12. When aircraft encounters icing in ievel language remark - E.G. DEW POINT -52cC. flight, the height at which the icing_ occurred will be reported for hihi.· he 7. When two or more types of w co-exist, the .iHi will be reported as /. type with the higher code figure will be re- ported. Code Figure 1, 2 and 3 are reported based on the total cloud amount through a given altitude, above or below the aircraft, and when other figures are inappropriate. The summation principle applies only when two or more cloud types share a given altitude. G-5 URNT50 KBIX 132240 AF966 WX MINOB 17 KBIX 2220 05278 09031 05512 5072 305 088 171 323 040 05436 00000 00000 2221 05270 09031 05511 5085 310 033 169 323 038 05422 00000 00000 2222 05263 09027 05511 5080 306 035 169 333 037 05426 00000 00000 2223 05263 09027 05511 0149 309 035 147 349 038 05379 00000 00000 2224 05249 09020 04670 0620 294 019 109 389 026 05379 00000 00000 2225 05241 09017 04056 5107 228 005 091 417 009 05379 00000 00000 2226 05228 08997 03526 5107 136 005 063 425 006 05379 00000 00000 2227 05221 08995 02980 5107 119 006 021 405 007 05379 00000 00000 2228 05215 08993 02438 5021 095 012 014 327 017 02684 00000 00000 2229 05209 08991 02004 5024 084 017 032 007 018 01998 00000 00000 2230 05203 08990 01524 5076 081 011 002 000 017 01467 00000 00000 2231 05198 08988 01183 5058 029 008 029 031 009 01144 00000 00000 2232 05193 08986 01060 5056 034 010 058 021 011 01024 00000 00000 2233 05188 08985 01042 5038 027 011 850 188 013 01023 00000 00000 2234 05183 08982 00806 5020 035 013 850 182 014 00800 00000 00000 2235 05179 08980 00721 5024 038 010 850 176 012 00710 00000 00000 2236 05174 08978 00518 0014 059 010 104 006 011 00532 00000 00000 2237 05171 08974 00449 0017 058 010 005 019 011 00466 00000 00000 2238 05167 08971 00449 0015 028 008 007 019 010 00462 00000 00000 2239 05163 08971 00460 0018 028 006 009 019 007 00476 00000 00000 Figure G-2. Sample MINOB Message. G-6 Table G-3. MINOB Message Format HHMM LaLaLath LoLoLoth PPPPP DDDD WWW SSS TTT ddd MMM RRRRR FFFFF FFFFF -RHMM: The time of observation in hours and minutes (UTC). LaLaLath: The latitude of the observation in degrees, tenths,0 and hundredths. The latitude ranges from 0 to 180, with 00000 signifying the North Pole, 18000 the South Pole. For example, 20.25°N would be encoded as 06975. LoLoLoth: The longitude of the observation in degrees, tenths, and hundredths. The longitude value ranges from 0 to 359.99, with 00000 signifying the Greenwich Meridiag, 0900 signifying 90.00 W, and 27000 signifying 90.00 E. PPPPP: The pressure altitude in meters. ODDD: The absolute value of the D-value in meters (a 5 occupies the thousands place if the D-value is negative. For example, -34 m is encoded as 5034. WWW: The wind direction in degrees, with 0 being north, increasing clockwise. SSS: The wind speed in knots. TTT: The air temperature in degrees and tenths Celsius. The tenths digit is even for temperatures at or above 0 C, odd for temperatures below 0 C. ddd: The dew point temperature, encoded the same way as air temperature. MMM: The maximum wind speed in knots measured during the minute. This is the peak wind speed averaged over a 10-sec period. RRRRR: Radar altitude in meters FFFFF: Default status for the MINOB data. A "0" indicates the parameter is defaulted (suspect value) or based on a parameter that is defaulted. A "1" indicates the value is not defaulted. The fields (five digits each) indicate default for (in order): latitude, longitude, pressure altitude, D-value, wind direction, wind speed, air temperature, dew point, maximum wind speed, radar altimeter. G-7 Table G-4. TEMP DROP code breakdown.0 CODE FORM: PART A SECTION I MiM1MjN, YYGG d 99LsLaL% QcL*L*L9LG MMMULaULO SECTION 2 99P.P.P. ToToTanflDoD dodofofof PjP h h hj TITITaIDIDI djdIfIfIfI inP11hhnhnh TITnTmanDn . dodufafaf. SECTION 3 S8PtP&Pg TtTtTgtDtDt dtdgftftft of SECTION 4 77PmPm m or dzndzfmfinfm (4VbVbva Va) 66PEDPMPMB or 77999 PART A SECTION 1- IDENTIFICATION AND POSITION MiM3. Identification letters .f the report -XX MjMj. Identification letters of the paot of the report - AA0 YY- Day of the month (GMT1 01, 02 etc. When wind data are included (Dropwindsod obsiuvatioo), 50 is added to YY- GG- Actual timue of the observation, to the neares whole hour (GMn) Id. Highest level for whic wind is available. 7700mbs, SisO- nabe, . "It fligt level is above a standard surface, for ewnmple 495. report a 6 for 500MBs in the Id group. When so winds are reported in any padt of the amesage encode as "Ir 99-Indicator for aircraft Position LaLaLa- Latitude, I atnths of a degree QC. Quadrant of the gkobe The earth is divided by the Grenwich Meridian and the Equator into quadrants. Thn cd figure ftported dePends on the latitude and longitude of the obseration position. a., 7- Kw, I-=NE, s-Sw, 5-SE. LaLcl01.0L Loalritude, in tenths of a degree. tMMM- Marsden squarm The number of the Marsden Square for aircraft positio at the time of the obsevatioa is reported for MMM. Aways "ePort three digits for MMM. with tewos reprte lor the hundreds and tens digits when re- quired. Whea an obseration is withi a depicted 10 degree square report the number of that w squr When on an even 10 degree latitude or longitude circle, the Marsden Square for MMM is obtained by moving in the direc- tion of luare latitude andor longitude. EXAMPLE. assuming a position of WN.IN 131.4W. MMM is 050 assumming a position of 30.ON, 140.OE. MMPA is 130. At the equator or on the prime meridian, report the Mardc. square compatible with the QC reported. UL&- Units digit in the reported latitude UL0 Units digit is the reported longitude G-8 Table G-4. TEMP DROP code breakdown (continued). SEM ON 2. $URFACE AND STANDARD ISODARtIC SURFACES * W *indicator for surface IPA, ftwress in whole maibrsm thousnds digits omnitted. (P0PP0 is always surfas" leve PIPI, Pressure of mandsator Standard isobuuic sufaces in units o tens - .f JMilibrs (1OO0mbsO. SSombsSS6. 700rnbs-70. etc. Pupa bh hjhj Height of the mandatry. Pressure level in geopotential Metgrs at - decame tar above the Surface. Encoded is meters up to s01mb.; Encoed habohn in decameters above 501mnbs. Add SW0 to hhh for negative l000mb heights. Report 1000mb groups as 00111 II/// when surface pressure is less than 950mb.. TQTo- Teas and units digit of Sir temperature (mgt rounded ofM in degrees TITI Celsius. it specifled levels beginning -with jurface. Tao Approximate tenth value and sign (pus of minus, of the air * 'al temperature, Even = plus Odd = minus DODO' Dewpoint dePresion (with respect to water at standard isobaric DIDI Surfaces beginning with surface leve When the depressioa is 4.9C or teaWS encode the units and tenths digits of the depression. Encode D3DQ depressions of 5.0 through 5.4 as W. Encode depressions of 5.5 through 5.9 AS 54. Dewpoint. depressions of 6.0 and above ame encoded in tens and units with 50 added. Dewpoint depression. for reltive hum3iditWe less than 20% are encoded as SO. When air temperature is below -40*C report DDn as two soldi dodo, True diretion (rounded off to nearest 3 degress) in teas of degreea, didi from which the wind is blowing. (Drowindsonde) fofofo Wind Speed in knotw (Drpwindsoade NOTF. When flight. level is just above amandatory surface (Dropwindsoade) anin the operator beut Meteorological Judgement. the winds are represnta tive of the Winds at the mandatory surface, the the opertor MS), encode the axnd. tory surface winds "mig the data from flight leveL If the winds are not representative, then mwcde 1/Ill. NVAMTlfN :i- I)ATA FORl TICROMPAtJS* LEIO.lVK 6.lndicztor for tropopause data. tP&Pt*r Pressure at the tropopause level reprtd ii Who" iniibar T&Tt, Air -emperature in whoen degrees Celsus. "I the tropopause leveL Tar* Approximate tenths value-and sigp Jplu3'or minus) of the air tempera-ture at the trooause leveL DDt- Dewpoint depresaion at the tropopause lowe dle Trel drc.n(one oft h ers degreesl, i tens of dereme fro= which the wind is blwing at the trpopeus fiftfr Wind speed. in knota, at the tropoauselee 8899M- Tropopause data not available. G-9 Table G-4. TEMP DROP code breakdown (continued). SECTON 4- MAXIMUM WIND DATA 66Indicator that data for maximum wind level and for verticalwidserflo t.fthwndondgcoesnd to doe highest wind speed observed throughout the decent) wn ha olwIh ftewn edn m M 77- Indicator that data for rnaximum wind Level and for vertical wind shear follow (maximum01 wind level dam aft coincide Wmt the of th. mind sounding. PznPmPw Pressure at maximum, wind level in whole millibars dmdmrTrue wind direction (rounded off to nearest 5 degrees). in Lenm of degreea from which the maximum wind is blowing. frafmim- Maximum wind speed in knot. 4- Indicator for vertical wind sheer data vavg- Absolute value of vector difference between max wind and wind blowing 300 feet ABOVE the level of maximum wind. Reported to the nearest knoL Use "ii" it missing and 4 group is reported. A vector difference of 99 knots -or more U'reported with the code figure 99. vbvb- Absolute value of vector differene between max wind and wind blowing 3000 fact BELOW the level of msaximnum wind. Reported to the nearest knot. Use "iP" it missing and 4 group is teported. A vector difference of 99 knots or more is reported with the code figure 99. CODE FORM: PART B SECTION I MiM1iMiMj YYGGI 99L&LaLL QcLQLOLGLQ MMMULgULO SECTION 5 nonPoPPOP TOTOTODoDo onnlPIPIPI TITITaIDIDI SECTION 6 23212 nonPOPOPO d0d4ff*f mInIPIPIP2 d d f f ft ;CorP.?. d difoiaf SECTION 9 51515 10166 10167 10190 10191 PART B NFANUION I- II)ENTIFICATI(IN AND) IaOSITiON MiMi- Identifiation letters of the part of the report - BB 1. Fidler figure for YYGG group AU other groups arm the same as reported In Part A-Section I SECTION 5- DATA FOR SIGNIFICANT TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELS UoWo NZmber O .14VOl, starting With surfac level. Only surface leve WMl olon, be numbered as "DO.. When a mandatory level is also selcte as - significant, repeat the level in sectioo 5. Encode significant levels naoto indicate missing data as W1JI IIJJ G- 10 Table G-4. TEMP DROP code breakdown (continued). PGPOPO' Presure at 9Pec dW levels in whole mnillibars beginning with PIPIPI suface. Tempeatur and humidity data groups Ane reported in the same manner as the tempeatir and humidity data In PART A- Section 2. SECTION S. DATA FOR SIGNIFICANT WIND LEVELS 21212. Data for significant levels with respect to wind bfoll. Wind data groups use reported in the same me&ner anthe wind data in PART A-Section 2 SECTION 9- ADDITIONAL DATA GROUPS 161515 Additional data in regional code foWow. 10166- Geopotential data ame doubtful between the following levels, PjjP5 P`P5 This code figure is used only when ge- opotential data are doubtful from a level to termination of the descent. NCOTZ: Whom radar altimeter Isa inoperative and surface reference is used, or if the ARWO advises that geopoten- tWa platform data is doubtfl a 10166 is reported for the ent ire run. 10167- Temperature Data are doubtful between the following levelw- OPIPIP2P2 This code figure shal be reported when only temperature data are doubtful for a portion s of the descent. If the 10167 group is reported a 10166 WMl also be reported. EXAMPL'E: Temperature is missing from 540mb. to Sl10mbs. SLP is 1O2Ornbs. Ile code would be 10166 00251 10167 05481. 10190- Extrapolated altitude data follows: (1) When the sounding begfis within 25 tabs below a standard surface, the height of the surface is reported in the forat 10190 paPnhhubwb Mme temperature group in not, reported. EXAMPLE: Assume the release was made faro 310 mnbs and the 300 mb height was 966 daeametera. The last reporte standard level In Part A in the 400 mb lavel. The data for the S00 mb level is reported in Part B aa 10190 (2 When the sounding do". not reach surface, but terminate, within 25 mbs of a standard surface, the height of the standard surface is reported in Part A of the code in standard formnat and in Part B of the code in the format 10190 Papnhnhunh (aircaft referece). EXAMPLE: Assume termination occurred at 980 mabs and the extrapolated height of the 1000 mb level was I115 meters. noe 1000 nib leve would be reported In Part A of the code as 00116 liii and in Part B as 10190 00115. 10191. Extrapolated surface pressure precedes. Extrapolated surface pressure is only reported when the termination oc- cram breume 850 nibe and surface pressure is reported in Part A as 99POPOPO 1)I1) and Part B as 00POPOP0 11111. When "uram pressure, is extrapolated. the 10191 group is the last additiontal data group reported in Part B. G-11 APPENDIX H TELEPHONE AND TELETYPE LISTING AGENCY LOCATION TTY TELEPHONE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Alternate NHC Washington, DC A C COM 301-763-8201 (NMC, Met Ops Div) FTS 763-8201 CPHC Honolulu, HI C COM 808-836-1831 FTS 546-2853 CPHC Satellite Honolulu, HI C COM 808-836-2776 Coordinator NDBC NSTL, MS COM 601-688-2836 (Data Systems Div) FTS 494-2836 (See USCG entry) AV 485-4411 NESDIS SAB Camp Springs, MD A C COM 301-763-8444 301-763-8445 FTS 763-8444 763-8445 NHC Coral Gables, FL ABC COM 305-350-4460 FTS 350-4460 NHC Satellite Coral Gables, FL ABC COM 305-350-4460 Coordinator FTS 350-4460 NMC Meteorological Washington, DC A C COM 301-763-8201 Operations Division FTS 763-8201 NWS Warning and Forecast Washington, DC COM 301-427-8090 Branch (Headquarters) FTS 427-8090 OAO Miami, FL COM 305-526-2936 FTS 350-2936 AV 894-1600 H-1 AGENCY LOCATION TTY TELEPHONE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AFGWC Offutt AFB, NE AB COM 402-291-2586 FTS 866-2586 AV 271-2586 CARCAH (OL-G, 7 WW) Coral Gables, FL ABC COM 305-666-4612 FTS 350-5547 AV 434-3420 CINCLANTFLT OAC Oceana, VA COM 804-433-2851 ext 233 AV 433-2851 ext 233 Det 1, 7 WW Keesler AFB, MS B COM 601-377-2544 (Alternate CARCAH) AV 868-2544 Det 4, 20 WS Hickam AFB, HI B COM 808-449-1634 (Weather Monitor) AV 315-449-1634 Det 4, 20 WS Hickam AFB, HI B COM 808-449-7638 (Hawaii ROCC/WE) 808-449-7637 AV 315-449-6262 Det 7, 24 WS Mather AFB, CA B COM 916-364-4377 (Weather Monitor) AV 674-4377 Det 8, 26 WS Griffiss AFB, NY B COM 315-330-2410 (Northeast Air Defense Sector/WE) AV 587-2410 Det 9, 3 WS Tyndall AFB, MS B COM 904-283-3215 (Southeast Air Defense Sector/WE) AV 523-3215 Keesler AFB Command Post Keesler AFB, MS COM 601-377-4330 AV 868-4330 NAVEASTOCEANCEN Norfolk, VA B COM 804-444-7750 804-444-3770 FTS 954-7750 954-3770 AV 564-7750 564-3770 NAVWESTOCEANCEN Pearl Harbor, HI B COM 808-741-0363 AV 315-430-0111 , ask for 471-0004 H-2 AGENCY LOCATION TTY TELEPHONE 53 WRS/DO Keesler AFB, MS COM 601-377-4540 AV 868-4540 815 WOF/DO Keesler AFB, MS B COM 601-377-4318 868-4318 34 WF Keesler AFB, MS B COM 601-377-4318 868-4318 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Headquarters, Traffic Washington, DC E COM 202-426-3636 Flow Management Branch FTS 267-3636 AV 851-1971 Houston ARTCC Houston, TX 0 COM 713-230-5560 FTS 527-5560 AV 729-1491 Miami ARTCC Miami, FL D COM 350-592-9753 FTS 820-1210 AV 894-1910 Kansas City ARTCC Olathe, KS FTS 753-1225 New York ARTCC Ronkonkoma, L.I., NY FTS 663-3490 Washington ARTCC Leesburg, VA FTS 925-4440 Chicago ARTCC Aurora, IL FTS 388-9203 Cleveland ARTCC Oberlin, OH FTS 292-8119 Indianapolis ARTCC Indi-anapolis, IN FTS 332-0222 Minneapolis ARTCC Farminton, MN FTS 784-3237 Boston ARTCC Nashua, NH FTS 834-6675 Denver ARTCC Longmont, CO FTS 323-4261 Salt Lake City ARTCC Salt Lake City, UT FTS 586-3128 Seattle ARTCC Auburn, WA FTS 390-5283 Atlanta ARTCC Hampton, GA FTS 249-3656 H-3 AGENCY LOCATION TTY TELEPHONE Jacksonville ARTCC Hilliard, FL FTS 965-1578 Memphis ARTCC Memphis, TN FTS 222-3181 Albuquerque ARTCC Albuquerque, NM FTS 476-0590 Ft. Worth ARTCC Euless, TX FTS 334-1520 Los Angeles ARTCC Palmdale, CA FTS 968-8250 Oakland ARTCC Freemont, CA FTS 449-6475 U.S. Coast Guard New Orleans, LA COM 504-589-6225 (for after hours FTS 682-6225 contact with NDBC) INTERDEPARTMENTAL OFCM Rockville, MD COM 301-770-3464 FTS 443-8704 AV 851-1460 A TG7073 B COMEDS C AFOS D AFTN E TTY address is KCFCZDZX H-4 * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1989-2 2 4 2 - 2 0 2 / 0 5 0 1 3 WORKING GROUP' FOR HURRICANE AND WINTER STORM OPERATIONS MR STEPHEN W. HARNED, Chairman Department of Commerce National Weather Service LTCOL THOMAS J. WITHERELL, USAF Department of Defense United States Ai r Force MR. JOHN P. GIBBS, JR. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration DR. LISLE A. ROSE Department of State MR. EUGENE D. LEGG, JR. Department of Commerce National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service CDR FREDERICK K. MARTIN, USN Department of Defense United States Navy MR. GLENN HAMILTON Department of Commerce National Data Buoy Center COL ROBERT E. BLACK, USAF, Secretary Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research 4,- I 3 6668 00002 9019