Data Item |
Entry |
| MISSION IDENTIFIER |
As determined |
| STORM IDENTIFIER |
As determined |
| OBSERVATION NUMBER |
A two digit number determined by the sequential order in which the
observation is transmitted from the aircraft |
| A (ALPHA) |
Date and time (UTC) of the flight level center fix. If the flight
level
center cannot be fixed and the surface center is visible, enter the
time
of the surface center fix. |
| B (BRAVO) |
The latitude and longitude of the center fix associated with item
ALPHA. NOTE: If the surface center is fixable, enter bearing and
range from the FL center in Remarks; e.g., SFC CNTR 270/15 nm, if
the centers are separated by over 5 nm. |
| C (CHARLIE) |
Indicate the standard atmospheric surface e.g. 925, 850 or 700 hPa.
The minimum height of the standard surface observed inside the
center. If at 1,500 ft or below or not within 1,500 ft of a standard
surface, enter NA. |
| D (DELTA) |
The maximum surface wind observed during the inbound leg
associated with this fix. |
| E (ECHO) |
Bearing and range of the maximum surface wind observed (item
DELTA) from the coordinates reported in item BRAVO. |
| F (FOXTROT) |
The maximum flight level wind observed during the inbound leg
associated with this fix. If a significant secondary maximum wind
is
observed, report it in remarks. |
| G (GOLF) |
Bearing and range of the maximum flight level wind observed (item
FOXTROT) from the coordinates reported in item BRAVO. |
| H (HOTEL) |
The minimum sea level pressure (SLP) to the nearest hectopascal
observed at the coordinates reported in item BRAVO. Preface the
SLP with "EXTRAP" (extrapolated) when the data are not derived
from dropsonde or when the SLP is extrapolated from a dropsonde
that terminated early. Clarify the difference in remarks (e.g., SLP
EXTRAPOLATED FROM BELOW 1500 FEET/850
HPA/DROPSONDE). |
| I (INDIA) |
MAX FLT LVL TEMP--This temperature is taken just outside the
central region of a cyclone (i.e., just outside the eyewall or just
beyond the maximum wind band). This temperature may not be the
highest recorded on the inbound leg but is representative of the
environmental temperature just outside the central region of the
storm.
PRESSURE ALT--Pressure altitude data (meters) are taken at the
same location as the maximum temperature data reported in item
INDIA. |
| J (JULIET) |
MAX FLT LVL TEMP--The maximum temperature observed within
5 nm of the center fix coordinates. If a higher temperature is
observed at a location more than 5 nm away from the flight level
center (item BRAVO), it is reported in Remarks, including bearing
and distance from the flight level center.
PRESSURE ALT--Pressure altitude data (meters) are taken at the
same location as the maximum temperature data reported in item
JULIET. |
| K (KILO) |
Dewpoint temperature/sea surface temperature are collected at the
same location as the maximum temperature reported in item JULIET.
Enter NA if not observed. |
| L (LIMA) |
Only report if at least 50 percent of the center has an eyewall,
otherwise enter NA.
Closed wall--if the center has 100 percent coverage with no eyewall
weakness.
Open XX--if the center has 50 percent or more but less than 100
percent coverage. State the direction of the eyewall weakness. |
| M (MIKE) |
Self explanatory. Report only if item LIMA is reported, otherwise
enter NA. |
| N (NOVEMBER) |
Fix determined by: Always report 1. Report 2 if radar indicates
curvature or banding consistent with fix location. Report 3 if
recorded or observed winds indicate a closed center. Report 4 if
the
fix pressure is lower than all reported on the inbound leg. Report
5 if
the fix temperature is at least higher than any reported on the
inbound
leg.
Fix level: Report 0 alone if fix is made solely on surface winds.
Report 0 and the flight-level code if the centers are within 5 nm
of
each other. |
| O (OSCAR) |
Navigational and meteorological accuracy are reported as the upper
limit of probable error. Meteorological accuracy is normally reported
as one-half of the diameter of the light and variable wind center. |
| P (PAPA) |
Remarks to enhance the data reported above. Required remarks
include: (1) mission identifier and observation number; (2) the
maximum flight level wind observed, time of observation, and the
relative quadrant of the storm of the observed wind on the latest
pass
through any portion of the storm; (3) the maximum flight-level wind
observed on the outbound leg following the center fix just obtained,
if
it is higher than the inbound maximum reported in item F. Include
time of observation and the relative quadrant of the storm of the
qualifying outbound max wind. If, after the transmission of the
vortex message but prior to the aircraft reaching the cross-leg turn
point, a higher qualifying outbound wind is observed, then the vortex
message will be amended with the higher outbound wind reported;
(4) the method of deriving the central SLP when extrapolated; and
(5)
the bearing and range of the surface center and/or maximum flight
level temperature if not within 5 nm of the flight level center. |
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