Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URPN12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 7th day of the month at 23:03Z
Agency: United States Air Force
Aircraft: Lockheed WC-130J Hercules with reg. number AF97-5303
Storm Name: Lowell
Storm Number & Year: 12 in 2026 (flight in the Northeast Pacific basin)
Mission Number: 10
Observation Number: 44

A. Time of Center Fix: 7th day of the month at 22:36:40Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 19.09N 161.71W
B. Center Fix Location: 251 statute miles (404 km) to the SW (217°) from Lihue, on the island of Kauai, HI, USA.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,759m (9,052ft) at 700mb
D. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 958mb (28.29 inHg)
E. Dropsonde Surface Wind at Center: From 85° at 6kts (From the E at 7mph)
F. Eye Character: Not Available
G. Eye Shape: Not Available
H. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 106kts (122.0mph)
I. Location & Time of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 34 nautical miles (39 statute miles) to the SE (142°) of center fix at 22:26:00Z
J. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 217° at 114kts (From the SW at 131.2mph)
K. Location & Time of the Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 42 nautical miles (48 statute miles) to the SE (141°) of center fix at 22:23:30Z
L. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Outbound: 118kts (135.8mph)
M. Location & Time of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Outbound: 34 nautical miles (39 statute miles) to the E (82°) of center fix at 22:48:00Z
N. Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: From 186° at 131kts (From the S at 150.8mph)
O. Location & Time of the Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: 39 nautical miles (45 statute miles) to the E (83°) of center fix at 22:49:30Z
P. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 15°C (59°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,046m (9,993ft)
Q. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 19°C (66°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,047m (9,997ft)
R. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 13°C (55°F)
R. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
S. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
S. Fix Level: 700mb
T. Navigational Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
T. Meteorological Accuracy: 1.75 nautical miles

Remarks Section:

Maximum Flight Level Wind: 131kts (~ 150.8mph) which was observed 39 nautical miles (45 statute miles) to the E (83°) from the flight level center at 22:49:30Z

An 80% reduction ratio from FLW to the surface continues to suggests that Lowell may be Cat 4. This is further backed up by the SFMR - Ciel