Figure 5: Schematic of horizontal MCS cross-sections for experiment Option Ia.

Option Ia:

Goal: Document convective line structure and fluxes

Aircraft: The P-3 will perform a descent sounding (from ferry level) approximately 50 km ahead of the convective line. The P-3 will then conduct a series of 50-80 km long legs 10-20 km ahead of the line and an altitude of 3 kft. Tail Doppler radar data will be collected in FAST-sector mode during the flight legs. If possible, this pattern will be repeated for several hours.

Mobile Labs: A mobile laboratory crew will launch soundings (approximately 1 per hour) at a location 40 km in front of the convective line.

Cimarron: The Cimarron radar is not required for this experiment.