A Review of the NOAA IFEX

Hurricane Field Experiments

Conducted in 2007

John F. Gamache

NOAA/AOML/Hurricane Research Division

Discussion Outline

HFP Activities • Tropical Storm Erin (NHC-tasked reconnaisance; P-3)• Hurricane Felix (EMC-tasked 3D Doppler winds; P-3)• Tropical Storm Ingrid (EMC-tasked 3D Doppler winds; P-3)• Tropical Depression 10 (NESDIS-42, HRD-43; P-3)• Hurricane Karen (EMC-tasked 3D Doppler winds; P-3)• Hurricane Noel undergoing ET (HRD-tasked P-3;

Aerosonde flight)

IFEX 2007 • Goals

IFEX 2007

Goal 1• Collect observations that span the TC lifecycle in a variety of environments: 3D Doppler Winds (Felix, Ingrid, TD 10, Karen)

Goal 2• Develop and refine measurement technologies that provide improved real-time monitoring of TC intensity, structure, and environment (NHC): Aerosonde/P-3 (Noel); 3D Doppler Winds (Felix, Ingrid, TD 10, Karen)

Goal 3• Improve our understanding of the physical processes important in intensity change for a TC at all stages of its lifecycle (HRD): Aerosonde/P-3 (Noel)

WP-3D Aircraft and their RadarsWP-3D Aircraft and their Radars

Tropical Storm ErinTropical Storm Erin

• 070815H1 (Reconnaissance)

• 070816H1 (Reconnaissance--reached the storm after landfall)

Hurricane Felix4 Flights flown from St. Croix

Hurricane Felix4 Flights flown from St. Croix

• 070901H1 (Tropical Storm to Minimal Hurricane--NOAA 42)

• 070902I1 (Category 2 Hurricane--NOAA 43)• 070902H1 (Category 5 Hurricane--NOAA 42)• 070903H1 (Category 5 Hurricane--NOAA 43)• Observed rapid deepening with Doppler radar

every 12 hours, beginning from strong TS to cat 5

070901H1070901H1

• Combination of flight patterns:

• 1) Figure 4 pattern

• 2) Square spiral--spiralling outward

• 3) Flight centered on 0000 UTC 2 September 2007

070902I1070902I1

• Category 2 hurricane flight centered around 12 UTC on 2 September 2007

• Truncated “butterfly pattern” due to proximity to Venezuela and Islands north of it

070902H1070902H1

• Figure 4 pattern to be centered around 0 UTC 3 September 2007--truncated due to severe turbulence and protocols concerning G forces

• Highest value of SFMR surface wind estimate on record

070903I1070903I1

• Figure 4 pattern, centered around 12 UTC 3 September 2007

• Hurricane Felix still category 5

Tropical Storm Ingrid6 Flights flown from Barbados

Tropical Storm Ingrid6 Flights flown from Barbados

• 070913I1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 43)• 070914H1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 42)• 070914I1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 43)• 070915H1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 42)• Approximately 30-hour hiatus• 070916I1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 43)• 070917H1 (Ocean Winds--NOAA 42)• Observed highly sheared tropical storm every 12

hours with airborne Doppler radar

Tropical Depression 102 Flights flown from MacDill

Tropical Depression 102 Flights flown from MacDill

• 070921H1 (Ocean Winds/3D Doppler Winds)• 070921I1 (3D Doppler Winds/Landfall)

Hurricane Karen2 Flights flown from Barbados

Hurricane Karen2 Flights flown from Barbados

• 070926I1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 43)• 070927H1 (3D Doppler Winds--NOAA 42)• Observed intensifying minimal hurricane

encounter abrupt increase in vertical wind shear

•Further automation is needed to start analysis jobs--we will explore complete or near-complete automation during this off-season--improved during 2007

•Further automation in determining systematic error corrections for radar pointing angle is needed--accomplished in 2007

•Final format of data to be sent still must be agreed upon

•Faster SATCOM communications will be needed to successfully send enough data to EMC--equipment purchased, very high speed more likely in 2009

•Further automation in transmitting files from P3 needed--much improved in 2007, will continue improvement

•Better pre-season training needed for those operating HRD Doppler QC software aboard the P3--done first time in 2007, more in 2008, eventually including AOC/Non-HRD people

Real-time Doppler data Issues

HighlightsHighlights

• First concerted effort to probe TC-core structure every 12 hours with SMFR and airborne Doppler

• Coordinated NOAA P3 aircraft with aerosonde

IFEX 2008

“Operations”• Off-season discussions with TPC, EMC, NESDIS, and AOC concerning tasking and flight tracks• Provide Doppler data to EMC after the flight for HWRF assimilation development•Supporting Synoptic Surveillance mission planning (HRD) and flying, as needed• Limited HRD resources to support a potentially substantial number of operational P3 flight hours•Flight testing of G-IV airborne Doppler and software to quality control the new data--will also be good practice for QC of updated Doppler radar on P3s in 2009“Research”• HRD: limited P-3 flight hours devoted to specialized HRD projects• Aerosonde, Genesis (weak systems), SALEX, Landfall/Inland decay• New DMT cloud physics probes

Particular Thanks go to NOAA Aircraft Operations CenterParticular Thanks go to NOAA Aircraft Operations Center

Aerosonde/Noel071102I1--NOAA 43

Aerosonde/Noel071102I1--NOAA 43

The Aerosonde UAS approached the center of Noel from the north (black), at around 400 m altitude. At the same time, the P-3 (red) was making a penetration from east to west at around 3500 m altitude. GPS dropwindsondes (blue) were deployed at the location where the aircraft met.

Noel Aerosonde UAS mission coordinated with NOAA P-3

Noel Aerosonde UAS mission coordinated with NOAA P-3

AerosondeP-3 (3500 m)

Take-off from Wallops Flight Facility (KWAL) 1600 UTC

Rendezvous with P-3 at storm center 0525 UTC

KMCF

“Eye” loitering with vertical

soundings (100-1500 m)