danielwAdministrator
(Moderator)
Mon Aug 22 2011 10:17 AM
Re: Irene the Year's first Hurricane, Passes Over Puerto Rico

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: 18°59'N 67°20'W (18.9833N 67.3333W)
B. Center Fix Location: 92 miles (149 km) to the WNW (295°) 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 (237°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 326° 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 (237°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 989mb (29.21 inHg)
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 9°C (48°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,050m (10,007ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 14°C (57°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,053m (10,016ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 9°C (48°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



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