Hurricane Félix: RECON Discussion

[wxmann_91]

The lightning, graupel, and turbulence suggest that there are some very strong updrafts/downdrafts (thunderstorm activity) in the eyewall. Definitely a characteristic sign of RI.

[CrazyC83]

Can they fly higher than 10,000 ft? Like 15,000 ft?

[thunderchief]

that would put them near the freezing level and possible icing, and if the last plane was damaged by hail...

[Aslkahuna]

C-130's can fly up at least 20k if need be.

Steve

[CrazyC83]

that would put them near the freezing level and possible icing, and if the last plane was damaged by hail...

In that case they should cancel the next flight for safety reasons, and perhaps fly into 98L instead.

[LeeJet]

Is this officially more intense than Dean?

[Aslkahuna]

Swan 38 if it was on a typhoon mission would have been flying at the 700 mb level. I presume that you are talking about the one that went down in Bess in 1974. That flight staged out of Clark AB where I was at the time. Bess was the first of 6 typhoons and one Tropical Storm that affected Luzon in October-November 1974. In this case affected means landfall some where on Luzon.

Steve

[RL3AO]

Is this officially more intense than Dean?

Tied...offically, with Dean for winds.

[WindRunner]

Typically intensity is measured in pressure, although this is an obvious exception to that rule. It's not the most accurate of methods, but it is how TPC compiles the "most intense hurricanes" list.

[mf_dolphin]

Can they fly higher than 10,000 ft? Like 15,000 ft?

Here's a spec page on the C-130J

http://www.simviation.com/rinfolocc130.htm

[Coredesat]

Just to make this clear, the last recon plane did make it back to base safely.

URNT11 KWBC 030109
97779 01094 20167 6620/ 25800 08012 1200/ /3213
RMK NOAA2 0906A FELIX OB 14 KWBC
LAST REPORT. OBS 01 THRU 14.

[CrazyC83]

Just to make this clear, the last recon plane did make it back to base safely.

URNT11 KWBC 030109
97779 01094 20167 6620/ 25800 08012 1200/ /3213
RMK NOAA2 0906A FELIX OB 14 KWBC
LAST REPORT. OBS 01 THRU 14.

Phew! Thank God! I was praying for them!

[artist]

wasn't it last year the HH didn't want to fly in such extreme conditions any longer as they felt it was too dangerous? I remember something about that and never did hear what the outcome was. Anyone know?

[pojo]

THE NOAA MISSION WAS ABORTED FOR CREW SAFETY.
END OF STORY.

[gotoman38]

THE NOAA MISSION WAS ABORTED FOR CREW SAFETY.
END OF STORY.

No kidding!! Thanks.

Do you know if they're considering scratching any of the upcoming missions for safety reasons?

[artist]

THE NOAA MISSION WAS ABORTED FOR CREW SAFETY.
END OF STORY.

pojo - I was not in anyway implying that they shouldn't have aborted. I understand you are tense with your guys out there, so are we, but please don't jump on me when I had meant nothing other than what became of that! I don't know how you guys do it to begin with!

I want to add they are always in my prayers.

[gotoman38]

Wow - they were close to the storm when the minobs started.

First pass going SE > NW?

[gotoman38]

Interesting about the queued up minobs coming thru now - I wonder if they found the comms problem that they had in a few of the earlier missions? That would be nice.

[Aric Dunn]

Interesting about the queued up minobs coming thru now - I wonder if they found the comms problem that they had in a few of the earlier missions? That would be nice.

yeah its funny .. about two minutes after you get up to date minob set you get a old set from an hour ago .. lol

i t will end when it reached 412

[gotoman38]

I'm seeing lots of old obs coming through too - I'm not sure if Henk's code is c atching them though - they aren't loading into GE for me at this time - anyway, it shouldn't be a big deal as long as the comms sync up by the time they make the first run.

(I've been refreshing too and didn't see 0421-0430 though btw)