NCAR_G5 Scientist Mission Summary Report (PACDEX)


Author of report: Stith
Mission Number: rf12
Type of Mission: research
Start of Mission(UTC): 2007/05/22 00:00
End of Mission(UTC): 2007/05/22 09:00

Submitted at(UTC): 2007/06/04 20:33


MISSION REPORT:

We sampled today just east of SEALS intersection, in a NW SW
line that bisected a clear/cloudy airmass boundary that was
visible on the Satellite image. The southern portion was
affected by blowoff from the Typhoon southeast of Japan. We did
a high altitude leg at 270 and a low altitude leg at 060, and a
leg returning to SEALS, with an intermediate profile. 

We also did vertical profiles to the Boundary Layer at each end,
which indicated different profiles, with cleaner air on the
southern end. We also obtained several samples in warm clouds at
the ends, with cu congestus having updrafts up to 5 m/s at the
northern (latest) sampling region. (Includes sampling below
cloud base) There was less indication of dust in the area than
we expected, although we thought the dust might be higher than
we could reach from the top of our block at 270. On return to
Japan we were able to get higher and found a well-defined large
particle plume between 300 and 340, which was likely the dust we
were looking for. 

This feature was well sampled by the IN and other measurements,
so this day turned out better than expected for us, with some of
the best clear-air sampling of dust we have had. There also are
some potentially interesting measurements near air downwind of
the Typhoon, and some of it was especially clean.