WSR2006 SPECIFICS

In the winter of 2006 the Winter Storm Recon Program is fully operational at the National Weather Service. The program will be organized similarly as in 2001 - 2005. In case of a need for extra observations to be taken with the aim of reducing forecast uncertainty for threatening winter weather events, forecasters at WFO field offices can contact the WSR focal point in their respective region:
Alaska:     James Partain
Pacific:    Ken Waters
Western Region:    Andy Edman Warren Blier
Central Region:    Peter Browning
Southern Region:    Rusty Billingsley
Eastern Region:    Ken Johnson
The regional focal points, along with NCEP Service Center focal points, will forward the pertinent information on the forecast event to the Senior Duty Meteorologist at NCEP/NCO by 9:30 am eastern time.

The WSR06 program is expected to start on Mid January 2006. Approximately 160 flight hours (18-20 missions) will be available on the NOAA G-lV plane through Mid March. In addition, flight hours will be available with 2 USAF C130 planes from January 31, 2006 until the end of February. The C130s will be based in Honolulu , while the G-IV will start in Honolulu in the mid-January and move to Anchorage when the C130s become operational in Honolulu in early Feburary, then G-IV will shift back to Honolulu when C130s stop flying at the end of February. The planes will take dropsonde observations in areas identified by the SDM as the most relevant for improving the forecasts for events requested by the field and NCEP forecasters.

Aircraft schedules:
C-130s: First flight is possible at 2006013100. Last possible flight is at 2006022500. All flights are out of Honolulu .
G-IV: First flight is possible at 2006011900. Last flight is possible at 2006031600. Flights are from Honolulu first, moving to Anchorage and then back to Honolulu.

Comments on the G-IV:
1)The option is open to NCEP SDM requests to move back and forth between Hawaii and Alaska when the Air Force is not participating.

For Plan of Day (POD), containing used/remaining flight our information, see:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/reconlist.html
or www.hurricanehunters.com/wxdata.htm
or call up the bulletin NOUS42 KNHC

PROCEDURES FOR SDM

CHANGES FOR 2006

REFERENCE DATA FOR 2001

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