May 17 POD Update

Update (17/1900 CDT or 18/0000 UTC)

We are a "go" for ER-2 take-off at 18/0500 UTC (local midnight).  Citation is on standby for nominal take-off at 18/0600 UTC (0100 CDT) but we may hold them, depending on precipitation conditions within about 100-150 km of NPOL/CF.

Models persisting on developing convection east of the dryline during the evening and early morning hours as the low-level jet intensifies and brings moist air northward.  Convection already firing in eastern CO and even a patch in Texas panhandle.   Models develop a NNW to SSE broken line of convective precipitation in western NE/KS/OK/TX and move eastward through the overnight hours.  Several models fill in the precipitation over north-central OK between 06 and 09 UTC, continuing through 12 UTC/sunrise. 

Mission is same as planned from this morning:  "A mission is planned to sample light precipitation over the Central Facility in northern Oklahoma with an ER-2 takeoff at 05 UTC and Citation takeoff at 06 UTC.  Depending on precipitation development the ER-2 may perform a land surface measurement leg. In the case that light precipitation does not develop over northern Oklahoma sampling in Kansas and Nebraska will be considered as a secondary option."

Larry C/Mike J.