Cooperative Hurricane Upper Air Stations (CHUAS) Network in the
CaribbeanHiram Escabi, Jr.
Upper Air Program ManagerTel Office: (301) 427-9195 Mobile: (301) 325-8650
E-mail: [email protected]
April 2016WMO 38th Session Hurricane Committee Meeting
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Agenda
• CHUAS Network• CHUAS Stations• Certified Upper Air Observers• Maintenance• Station Inspection• Station Inspection Report• Radiosonde Soundings• Benefits of Dual Soundings• New Ground System• GRAW Systems Installed• Radiosondes• Radiosonde GPS Issue• GPS Module
– Standard Temperature Profile
• Balloons• Parachutes and Lightsticks• Consumables Costs• Equipment Upgrade• Status of Equipment Upgrade• Timeliness• Questions
2
CHUAS Network
The Cooperative Hurricane Upper Air Station (CHUAS) is a network of ten upper-air stations covering the Caribbean region. These stations supply observations to the National Weather Service National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, and the national hydro-meteorological service (NHMS) of each participating Caribbean country in support of its local weather and hurricane forecasting activities. The stations also provide data sets for research. Bilateral agreements between NOAA and the NHMSs were established as early as 1969. The terms of each agreement vary, but the basics include provision of equipment, spare parts and consumables, and assistance with major maintenance and training.
– Cooperative Hurricane Upper Air Station Handbook Dated June 13, 2012. Update being finalized.
– Radiosonde Ground Equipment (GRAW GS-E).– System Computer. (Fujitsu).– Hydrogen Generator and Storage Tank.– Electrical protection for Hydrogen Generator.– Precision Digital Barometer.– Water Purification System and Reverse Osmosis filters.– Consumables – radiosondes, balloons, twine, unwinder.– CHUAS Observer Certification.– CHUAS Equipment Maintenance Training.– First Aid Kits and Safety Glasses.
3
CHUAS Network Continued
• CHUAS stations send data to the National Center of Environmental Predictions (NCEP) and also use the data for local weather forecasting.
– Via EDIS (NWS Email Data Input System)
• Stations that send in their RAOB report on time receive a “THANKS” on the NCEP RAOB Thanks Report Web site page.
– http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/thanks/
4
CHUAS Stations
1. Bahamas 78073 (Lynden Pindling International Airport)2. Barbados 78954 (Grantley Adams International Airport)3. Belize 78583 (Phillip Goldston International Airport)4. Colombia 80001 (Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport, San Andres)5. Dominican Republic 78486 (Los Mameyes, Santo Domingo)6. Grand Cayman Island 78384 (Owen Roberts International Airport)7. Jamaica 78397 (Norman Manley International Airport)8. Curacao, Netherlands Antilles 78988 (Hato International Airport)9. Trinidad and Tobago 78970 (Piarco International Airport)10. Saint Maarten 78866 (Princess Julianna International Airport)Note: No other active upper air stations in the Caribbean or from central
America participate in the National Weather Service CHUAS network.
5
This image cannot currently be displayed.
6
Certified Upper Air Observers
• In 2013, the National Weather Service started a certification process for CHUAS observers. New examination being written due to new equipment.
• This process was started to improve upper air observations in the CHUAS network.
• Written, multiple-choice, open-book examination with 50 mandatory questions and 5 bonus questions. Minimum score 90%, maximum score 105%.
• Observers are also tested on the practical application of performing a sounding.
• To date, 84 observers have been certified; all 10 CHUAS stations have certified observers.
7
Maintenance
• Technicians and engineers have been trained by NWS personnel for the new GRAW Radiosonde Ground System.
• Technicians and engineers have also participated in factory maintenance training of the Proton Energy System hydrogen generator.
– Courses have been held in San Andres (2008), Bahamas (2010), and Wallingford, CT (2013). Certificates issued by Proton Energy Systems.
• National Weather Service’s Sterling Field Support Center in Sterling, Virginia, provides upper air support for both the US and CHUAS networks.
– Help Desk: Monday though Friday 0600 – 2100 Eastern Time– Telephone: 703-661-1268– Email: [email protected]– Provides minor hardware repair, software and firmware reloads.– Remote access via TeamViewer application software.
8
Station Inspection
• The National Weather Service has started to implement the WS Form B-48 “CHUAS Upper Air Program Inspection Checklist.” Annual station inspection will be performed using this checklist.
• The WS Form B-48 Upper Air Station Inspection Checklist includes the following sections and subsections:
– Live Flight: • I. Balloon and Flight Train Preparation • II. Radiosonde Preparation • III. Balloon Release, In-Flight, and Post Flight
– Facilities and Station Management: • I. Antenna Equipment • II. Inflation Building and Release Area • III. Inflation Building Safety • IV. Barometer • V. Upper Air Computers • VI. Administration and Logistics • VII. Overall Performance • VIII. Photographs
9
Station Inspection Report
• A WS Form B-33 “Station Inspection Report” is issued. A copy is given to the CHUAS host Director and a copy is at NWS Headquarters.
• The station will be given a Rating:– Excellent– Satisfactory– Conditionally Unsatisfactory– Unsatisfactory
• Summary section, where comments are stated concerning deficiencies or excellence of the inspection. Recommendations are also stated.
• Becomes official record of the upper air station.– Shows historical trends of the station.
• The purpose of this checklist is to improve upper air observations and to ensure station is following guidelines, policies, and procedures.
10
Radiosonde Soundings
• Currently in non-Hurricane season, all stations fly a 12Z observation once a day. – Since December 2015, San Andres has been performing dual flights
00Z and 12Z.
• Starting on June 1, 2016, all stations will perform dual radiosonde soundings at 00Z and 12Z. Continue dual soundings until further notice from NWS. (Ref. March 4, 2016 email)
• Any station can make a Special Observation at the request of the National Hurricane Center or by the Director of the host country Meteorological Service when a climatic event is approaching the Caribbean for their own local hazard weather forecasts. Please transmit the observation data to NCEP.
11
Benefits of Dual Soundings
• National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch has the responsibility of issuing a Tropical Weather Discussion four times a day. This product describes synoptic features across the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, and is widely used by the meteorological offices in the region. Upper-air data, delivered twice daily, would provide better analysis of the weather features during the entire year.
• It would provide better data to compare and validate model analyses and forecasts.
• A better moisture analysis in the deep tropics would help improve model's representation of convection, which in the tropics is the main parameter/driver.
• It would provide improved weather forecasting for the local meteorological offices.
12
New Ground System
13
GRAW Omnidirectional, GPS, Overhead antennas.
GRAW GS-E, Fujitsu Computer, Precision Digital Barometer.
GRAW Systems Installed
• Three installation teams were deployed to install the first 9 GRAW systems during November 30 to December 11, 2015.
– Curacao – November 30 to December 3, 2015– St Maarten – November 30 to December 3, 2015– Jamaica – November 30, 2015 to December 3, 2015– Trinidad – December 3 to 7, 2015– Grand Cayman – December 3 to 7, 2015– Santo Domingo – December 3 to 7, 2015– Barbados – December 7 to 11, 2015– Bahamas - December 7 to 11, 2015– San Andres – December 7 to 10, 2015
• Belize – April 5 to 8, 2016
14
Radiosondes
15
Lockheed Martin B2 Radiosonde (left); Vaisala RS-92DD (center); GRAW DFM-09 (right)• B2 radiosonde last flown on February 2015 in Curacao.• RS-92DD last flown on April 2016 in Belize.• DFM-09 currently flown in all 10 CHUAS sites.• B2 radiosonde weight 459 grams; RS-92DD weight 283.5 grams; DFM-09 weight 90 grams.
Radiosonde GPS Issue
• After the December 2015 deployment of the GRAW DFM-09 radiosondes, Observations were losing GPS pressure and winds once the radiosonde reached the Troposphere temperatures of -39 Deg. C.
• The rapid change in temperature in the Caribbean Troposphere was causing a malfunction to the GPS module.
• This issue was not seen during the Government testing of 88 flights at the NWS Sterling Field Support Center, Sterling, Virginia
• GRAW changed the GPS module in the radiosonde and currently these radiosondes are performing to specifications.
16
GPS Module
17
Side-by-side of the two GPS Modules. New – left, old – right.
Standardized Temperature Profile
18
Note: An average temperature profile through the lower layers of the atmosphere. Height (in miles and kilometers) is indicated along each side. Temperatures in the thermosphere continue to climb, reaching as high as (3,600°F) 2,000°C.
Balloons
• Previous balloon used was a General Purpose (GP) 26 (26 kilometers) 600 gram balloon.
• New balloon is the General Purpose (GP) 20 (20 kilometers) 350 gram balloon.– This balloon is typically reaching heights of 25 kilometers due to the
light payload of the radiosonde (DFM-09 = 90 grams).
• Cost savings of $16.00 USD per flight.
19
Parachutes & Light Sticks
• NWS will no longer issue parachutes.• This is due to the light payload of the GRAW DFM-09 radiosonde (90
grams).– Cost savings of $5.00 USD per flight.
• NWS will no longer issue light sticks for radiosonde observations.– Cost savings of $1.58 per flight.
Note: Parachute weight is 71 grams.
20
RDF Radiosondes• Vaisala RS-92DD = $134.00• Balloon GP26 = $32.00• Parachute = $5.00• Twine = $0.42• Light Stick = $1.58• Unwinder = $10.25• Total = $183.25
Consumables Costs
21
GPS Radiosondes•GRAW DFM-09 = $103.00•Balloon GP20 = $16.00•Parachute = $0•Twine = $0.42•Light Stick = $0•Unwinder = $10.25•Total = $129.67
Cost savings of $53.58 per flight!$53.58 X 800 Flights = $42,864.00$42,864.00 X 10 CHUAS = $428,640.00
Equipment Upgrade
22
New 500 gram Lifting Post Current 1000 gram Lifting Post
☼ NWS is issuing a lighter 350-gram balloon, so a new lifting post is needed for lifting gas cutoff.
Status of Equipment Upgrade
• New 500-gram Lifting Posts will be delivered to the NWS National Logistics Support Center (NLSC), Kansas City, MO, by the end of April.– Distributed to CHUAS Stations from NLSC.
• NWS is currently evaluating a replacement for the current Precision Digital Barometer issued by NWS to the CHUAS stations. – Mintaka Dual Sensor Precision Barometer is currently being evaluated
by the Sterling Field Support Center for Upper Air observations.– The Mintaka Dual Sensor Precision Barometer is currently used by the
NWS Volunteer Observing Ships (VOS) Program.• http://www.vos.noaa.gov/us_vos.shtml
23
Timeliness
• Percentage of radiosonde observations (RAOBS) received by NCEP within 3 hours after balloon release (by 14:00 or 02:00 UTC) . All coded messages must be received within this time limit.
• In the TTAA Group 31313 41708 81111
• Reference: CHUAS Radiosonde Handbook, Paragraph 2.23.1 Deadlines for Transmitting Coded Messages.
• Stations are evaluated by successful “Thanks” from the NCEP Central Operations page.– http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/thanks/index.thankint.php?y
r=&mo=&day=&hr=&min=
24
25
26
27
Belize 72 %
Jamaica 66 %San Andres 37 %
Curacao 75 %
Dom. Republic 71 %
St Maarten 65 %
Trinidad 77 %
Barbados 79 %
Bahamas 70 %
Grand Cayman 74 %
2006 – 2015 Observational Percentage 69 %
29
CHUAS % of RAOBS Received by NCEP on Time
Dec 2015 through March 2016
100 94 94 97 93
90 90
90 89
80
70
70
60
51
50
40
30
20
10 3
MYNN MWCR MKJP MDSD MZBZ TMCM TBPB TTPP TNCC SKSP
QUESTIONS???
30
