[All] DCOTSS Week #3

[Chirica, Dan C. (ARC-SGG)]

Science Summary for Week of 7/18

DCOTSS flew two research flights this week, RF02 and RF03, on 7/20 and 7/23, respectively.  Convective activity over the U.S. has generally been weak for an extended period due to a large-scale nearly-stationary high pressure system located over the western and central states.

The two principal science objectives of RF02 were (1) to sample a convective outflow plume over northern Missouri and (2) to survey the North American Monsoon Anticyclone (NAMA).  Preliminary results suggest that enhanced water was observed in a thin layer at the forecast plume location.  The survey portion of the flight into the center of the stratospheric anticyclone showed some widespread layers of enhanced water vapor in the lower stratosphere.

RF03 was also designed to survey the interior of the NAMA and possible convective outflow from monsoonal storms in the southwest U.S.  Deep profiles were conducted over a large region between Salina and NV, including a long swath of potential overshooting material of various ages.  Real-time data during the flight suggested a number of possible convective plumes in the lower stratosphere.  For both flights the origin of potential convective layers is under investigation.
-- Ken Bowman

DCOTSS has flown 21.9 science flight hours out of a planned 85 hours of science flights in Salina and launched 13 balloon sondes from 4 locations.

Some of the teams are rotating out. Jim Elkins and Fred Moore replaced Eric Hintsa and Brad Hall. Judy Alfter and Bernie Luna arrived replacing Caitlin Murphy and later this week me. Cecilia Chang and Richard (Rick) Kolyer replaced Paul Bui for MMS.

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D7817A.77FF4410]
ER-2 pilots and the navigator reviewing the flight plan and flight instrument checklist

[cid:image002.jpg at 01D7817A.77FF4410]
Katie Smith (AWAS) and Fran Becker (ER-2) RF03 pre-flight

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Rich Weller (ER-2) wing-walking the ER-2 out of the hangar for RF03



-- Dan Chirica
Project Manager – Earth Science Project Office
NASA Ames Research Center
dan.c at nasa.gov<mailto:dan.c at nasa.gov>
+1 (650) 604-0436 (o), +1 (650) 318-8257 (c)


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