May 16 POD

Operations:

Monday (Day 0):  ER-2 down (runway).  Citation called down.  No weather.  Citation does not have CIP.

Tuesday (Day 1):  Offutt runway back 1300 UTC.  ER-2 is on standby for take-off at 1900 UTC for possible land surface mission (LSM) in combination with sampling precipitation over CO/NE/KS.  Overpass times are 1930-2010 UTC for LSM; cloudiness over domain is possible.  Models disagree on exact timing and coverage of precipitation – uncertain.  So, mission is tentative but wanted to get a placeholder in for science mission and opportunity to test ER-2 instruments after weekend work.   Citation on loose standby.  Citaiton’s CIP might be delivered and installed by early afternoon.

Wednesday (Day 2):  After morning briefing, morning (12z) models are agreeing on precipitation during period from 06z-12z over OK/KS/NE, including possibly SGP-CF.  We are beginning to favor this early Wed AM scenario for a science mission and test of instruments over precipitation before multiple possible precipitation opportunities over SGP-CF later this week.

Extended Outlook:

Models bring some precipitation over north-central Colorado by Thursday 00-06 UTC.  Although there is some uncertainty this far out, some models suggest precipitation over OK and SGP-CF after 18 UTC on Thursday.  So, it could be difficult to phase a Colorado mission with opportunities over Oklahoma from early Wednesday through late Thursday.  Precipitation chances over OK continue Thursday through Saturday.  We will have to keep an eye on weather conditions over Offutt AFB for ER2 take-off and landing conditions during the same period.   

In general, a complex situation with another closed upper level low slowly making its way across western to central US but there should be some excellent chances for precipitation missions Wed – Sat.

Instruments:

Offutt runway is open at 1300 UTC Tuesday.  ER-2 is fueled up for 7.5 hours due to earlier scrub before runway closure.  All ER2 instruments are green after weekend work.

Citation CIP and CPI probe not available.  Checking status today.  If CIP probe is shipped back to Ponca City today, then it could be available on Citation for operations by early Tuesday afternoon, if all goes well. 

D3R should arrive by Wednesday.