• Goals:
  • Evolution of mesoscale flow.
  • Vertical structure of precipitation in relation to passive microwave and radar measurements.
  • Statistics of hydrometeor structure and precipitation content for verification of polarimetric radar algorithms and cloud resolving models.
• Notes:
  • Used for smaller, less extensive stratiform regions.
  • Two endpoints are provided to each aircraft.
  • Repeated linear tracks of about 50km.
  • DC-8 remains at one altitude for remote sensing.

• Goals:
  • Detailed vertical resolution of microphysics.
  • Relation of bright band structure to passive microwave and airborne radar.
  • Variation in precipitation drop size distributions.
  • Verification of hydrometeor identification algorithms based on polarimetric radar characteristics.
• Notes:
  • Extensive stratiform regions required.
  • Center of spiral is provided to pilots.
  • DC-8 turns are about 23 km in diameter and descent rate is about 1-2 ms-1. Start/end altitudes: 30kft/15Kft.
  • P3 performs spiral descent with about 15 km diameter turns and then moves out of region to perform dual-Doppler scans. Start/end altitudes: 25kft/10kft.
    

• Goals:
  • Relation between passive microwave and radar characteristics to cloud microphysics.
  • Vertical variation of drop size distributions.
  • Character of convective drafts for verification of models and dual-Doppler retrievals.
  • Storm system evolution and brightness temperature evolution.
  • Documentation of supercooled cloud water and graupel co-existence.
• Notes:
  • Mostly stratiform regions with embedded weak convection.
  • DC-8 remains at higher altitudes.
  • Not sufficiently uniform for spiral descents.
  • Two endpoints are provided to pilots.
  • Repeated linear tracks of about 100-200 km long.
    

• Goals:
  • Relation between passive microwave and radar characteristics to cloud microphysics.
  • Vertical variation of drop size distributions.
  • Character of convective drafts for verification of models and dual-Doppler retrievals.
  • Storm system evolution and brightness temperature evolution.
  • Documentation of supercooled cloud water and graupel co-existence.
• Notes:
  • Convection must be within safety guidelines, otherwise P3 moves to side of convection for dual-Doppler scans.
  • DC-8 remains high if within safety limits; otherwise moves to safer region.
  • Flight legs are about 30 km long.

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Optimal Data Assimilation Flight Plan

• Assess the impact of high resolution water vapor and wind measurements on forecasts of hurricane intensity and track
  
• Obtain high resolution water vapor measurements to characterize water vapor inflow regions
  
• Evaluate upper troposphere humidity field and investigate troposphere-stratosphere exchange
  
• Obtain near surface water vapor measurements and SST around hurricane
  
• Evaluate ER-2 and DC-8 dropsonde water vapor measurement performance performed in conjunction with NOAA HRD synoptic surveillance flights
  

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Coordinated Observations of Vortex Evolution and Structure Experiment (COVES)

Coordinated Pattern: Upper WP-3D, DC-8, and ER-2

• All aircraft should reach their respective IP's as simultaneously as possible.
• Aircraft should not deviate from pattern to find the center in the eye.
• The pattern may be entered at any compass heading and the DC-8 and ER-2 entries should be along the same heading as the lower WP-3D.
• The DC-8 should attain the 250-hPa level (about 37,000 ft or FL370) as early in the mission as possible and then maintain this altitude for the duration of the pattern. Upper WP-3D aircraft should maintain maximum safe altitude.
• WP-3D tail/Doppler radar should be operated in fore-aft scanning mode, with a single PRF of 2400 or greater, and a tilt of 20°.
• GPS sondes and the downward-pointing laser on the NASA aircraft may pose a hazard to the WP-3D or WC-130 aircraft. Hence, positive communication with these aircraft must be obtained before sondes are released.

Coordinated Short Pattern: Upper WP-3D, DC-8, and ER-2

• All aircraft should reach their respective IP's as simultaneously as possible.
• Aircraft should not deviate from pattern to find the center in the eye.
• The pattern may be entered at any compass heading and the DC-8 and ER-2 entries should be along the same heading as the lower WP-3D.
• The DC-8 should attain the 250-hPa level (about 37,000 ft or FL370) as early in the mission as possible and then maintain this altitude for the duration of the pattern. Upper WP-3D aircraft should maintain maximum safe altitude.
• WP-3D tail/Doppler radar should be operated in fore-aft scanning mode, with a single PRF of 2400 or greater, and a tilt of 20°.
• GPS sondes and the downward-pointing laser on the NASA aircraft may pose a hazard to the WP-3D or WC-130 aircraft. Hence, positive communication with these aircraft must be obtained before these sondes are released.

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