STATUS: IOP

We will be conducting an IOP on Thursday, 24 March.  We anticipate fairly strong forcing associated with a mid-level wave, strong shear (850 flow approaching 50 kt), and CAPE in the range of 300-600 J/kg.  The expected structure will be a QLCS or a QLCS with embedded supercell structures.

Observations will possibly commence in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, and terminate on Thursday afternoon.  CAPE and shear are expected to grow strongly during a 6-h period prior to passage of the convective line.

Details of the observing plan will depend on the expected time of passage of the convective line, and we await two more days of computer guidance to formulate that plan.  The plan will be discussed more at the Tuesday and Wednesday briefings, and in an evening planning session on Wednesday.

PI’s are reminded to keep the instrument status spreadsheet updated!