danielwAdministrator
(Moderator)
Sat Oct 30 2010 11:35 AM
Tropical Storm Tomas Vortex

RECON reporting a 30 mile by 50 mile elliptical Eye.

Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 30th day of the month at 11:30Z
Aircraft: Air Force Aircraft (Last 3 digits of the tail number are 300)
Storm Number & Year: 21L in 2010
Storm Name: Tomas (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 2
Observation Number: 04
A. Time of Center Fix: 30th day of the month at 10:47:40Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 12°59'N 59°52'W (12.9833N 59.8667W)
B. Center Fix Location: 19 miles (30 km) to the WSW (246°) from Bridgetown, Barbados.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 3,033m (9,951ft) at 700mb
D. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind: 51kts (~ 58.7mph)
E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind: 23 nautical miles (26 statute miles) to the WNW (298°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 20° at 52kts (From the NNE at ~ 59.8mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 57 nautical miles (66 statute miles) to the WNW (301°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 993mb (29.32 inHg) - Extrapolated
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 10°C (50°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,043m (9,984ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 13°C (55°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,046m (9,993ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 1°C (34°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character (Undecoded): SPIRAL EYEWALL
M. Eye Shape: Elliptical (oval shaped)
M. Orientation of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 360° to 180° (N to S)
M. Length of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 50 nautical miles (58 statute miles)
M. Length of Minor Axis in Elliptical Eye: 30 nautical miles (35 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 - Remarks That Were Decoded...
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 52kts (~ 59.8mph) in the northwest quadrant at 10:31:30Z
Remarks Section - Additional Remarks...
SLP EXTRAP FROM DROPSONDE
SEVERAL SPIRAL BANDS WRAPPING IN TO CTR FROM NORTH

edit: As of 8:11 AM EDT Tropical Storm Tomas is very near Hurricane strength. RECON is currently flying the eastern side of the storm and will be making the turn inbound to fly the remainder of the NE Quadrant shortly.



Note: This is NOT an official page. It is run by weather hobbyists and should not be used as a replacement for official sources. 
CFHC's main servers are currently located at Hostdime.com in Orlando, FL.
Image Server Network thanks to Mike Potts and Amazon Web Services. If you have static file hosting space that allows dns aliasing contact us to help out! Some Maps Provided by:
Great thanks to all who donated and everyone who uses the site as well. Site designed for 800x600+ resolution
When in doubt, take the word of the National Hurricane Center