Storm stalking: Final update
The reconnaissance jet has completed its work for the day, having dropped 16 data probes to measure some of the most-ferocious winds on Earth.
Storm stalking: Final update
The reconnaissance jet has completed its work for the day, having dropped 16 data probes to measure some of the most-ferocious winds on Earth.
The storm that the Gulfstream IV was stalking at 45,000 feet has been affecting an extensive area from Alaska to central California, and the probes indicated that it was stronger than expected. One of the probes detected a jet-stream wind of 161 m.p.h. off the California
coast.
The remnants of that storm, which pounded that southwestern Canadian coast with hurricane-force winds, could affect Philadelphia by Sunday, says flight meteorologist Jessica Williams.
It was the second consecutive day that the Gulfstream, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, dropped its data bombs into the upper-level system that is giving a kick to the storm calling all the mayhem at the surface
No flights are scheduled tomorrow, but it looks like the Gulfstream will be heading to a new trouble spot over the Northern Pacific on Sunday.
Earlier, I had described the probes as looking like paper-towel dowels. Actually, they are a tad bigger, about 18 inches long and 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
They weigh roughly two pounds each, and parachutes slow their descent to about 2 m.p.h. On the way down, they transmit data on wind speeds, temperature and pressure every half-second until the probe lands in the ocean, which was mightily agitated during the day with whitecaps visible all the way from 45,000 feet.
One of the dropsonde probes detected a wind of about 50 m.p.h. at the surface.
They work like upside-down weather balloons in an area where humans aren't available to release balloons.
Inky, I wish you would have encouraged Mr. Wood to write more in this article, explaining the necessity of such data to improve forecast accuracy. In an era with much-needed budget cuts across all levels of government, there are few readers who understand enough about meteorology to know how crucial accurate measurements of the jet stream are. Many readers love to laugh at the weatherman, but as one in the Air Force, (currently deployed,) I assure you every little bit of data helps. This is especially key as most of those in the forecasting field are beholden to the accuracy of computer models, which in turn depend on accurate data at all levels of the atmosphere. Please publish a follow-up, Mr. Wood!— spd017- did anyone say "hello" to La Nina and El Nino ??
For Inquirer.com. Portions of this blog may also be found in the Inquirer's Sunday Health Section
Reach Anthony at twood@phillynews.com.
