Irene Strengthens to a Category 2 Hurricane

Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 22nd day of the month at 14:04Z
Aircraft: Air Force Aircraft (Last 3 digits of the tail number are 302)
Storm Number & Year: 09L in 2011
Storm Name: Irene (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 4
Observation Number: 07
A. Time of Center Fix: 22nd day of the month at 13:42:40Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 18Â°59'N 67Â°20'W (18.9833N 67.3333W)
B. Center Fix Location: 92 miles (149 km) to the WNW (295Â°) from San Juan, Puerto Rico (USA).
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,991m (9,813ft) at 700mb
D. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind: 47kts (~ 54.1mph)
E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind: 11 nautical miles (13 statute miles) to the WSW (237Â°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 326Â° at 46kts (From between the NW and NNW at ~ 52.9mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 11 nautical miles (13 statute miles) to the WSW (237Â°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 989mb (29.21 inHg)
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 9Â°C (48Â°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,050m (10,007ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 14Â°C (57Â°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,053m (10,016ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 9Â°C (48Â°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character: Open in the south
M. Eye Shape & Diameter: Circular with a diameter of 26 nautical miles (30 statute miles)
N. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
N. Fix Level: 700mb
O. Navigation Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
O. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mile
Remarks Section:
Maximum Wind Outbound: 73kts (~ 84.0mph) in the northeast quadrant at 13:48:30Z
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 73kts (~ 84.0mph) in the northeast quadrant at 13:48:30Z
*********************************************
Note:
This flight was at the 700mb level or 10,000 feet. The other flights were flown at 5,000 feet. There is a difference in the Eye temperatures from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. But I still see a 5 degree Celsius spread right now.
I emphasized the Eye diameter with bold above. A bit strange to see a 26 mile wide Eye in an 80 mph hurricane.

NOAA 9 or 49, the Gulfstream Jet is scheduled below:
FLIGHT THREE -- NOAA 49
A. 23/00Z
B. NOAA9 0609A IRENE
C. 22/1730Z Take Off Monday(today) at 1:30 PM EDT
F. 41,000 45,000 FT

FLIGHT FIVE -- NOAA 49
A. 23/12Z
B. NOAA9 0809A IRENE
C. 23/0530Z
D. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT

Edited by danielw (Mon Aug 22 2011 10:26 AM)

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