Texas Tech University Department of Wind Science and Engineering
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Hurricane Wilma

TEXAS TECH HURRICANE RESEARCH TEAM

 

11:00 am CDT ------ 10-20-05 -------

Status:

--- Activated ----

Team Location:

Forest, MS

WEMITE 1.5: DOWN
WEMITE 2: READY
SBCCOM : READY
SBCCOM: READY
SBCCOM: READY

Discussion:

Texas Tech Hurricane Research Team/WEMITE has been activated for Hurricane Wilma. The team is currently in Forest, MS east of Jackson. We will remain here through the noon hour... The team and base support will evaluate the present track guidance regarding Wilma. Given a significant interaction with the Yucatan Penninsula, the team wouldd abort the deployment. Given landmass interaction and increasing shear, it is thought that Wilma would not meet deployment criteria. If a further north and east track develops or if Wilma remains on track with the NHC official guidance, the team will depart for deployment and make an effort for data collection.

The team will also be carrying a GPS beacon and team location can be seen at the following website:
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?call=KD5PUO (beacon was not functioning yesterday)

Deployment:

Wemite 2 and SBCCOMs will be deployed. It is unsure at the moment which experimental design we will use, though we will make an effort to use the turbulence experiment. This also depends on site surveys as well as intensity forecasts closer to landfall.

Updates/News/Announcements:

A final activation decision will be made later tonight given the 00 Z early cycle model runs. Only four towers will be deployed if activated. WM 1.5 will remain in Lubbock. Due to monetary concerns the deployment team will only consist of 4 members:

Deployment Team:

  • Dr. John Schroeder (will meet in the field)
  • Ian Giammanco
  • Brian Hirth
  • Kirsten Orwig
  • Maribel Martinez

 

6:00 pm CDT ------ 10-18-05 -------

Status:

--- Standby ----

Team Location:

Lubbock, TX

WEMITE 1.5: DOWN
WEMITE 2: READY
SBCCOM : READY
SBCCOM: READY
SBCCOM: READY

Discussion:

Given the possibility of Wilma being a major hurricane in the SE Gulf, team status has been upgraded to standby. Wilma has continued to intensify and possibly beginning a rapid intensification cycle. Model guidance still is divergent with a cluster of solutions to the south, near the Florida keys for landfall while the GFDL, NOGAPS call for a more northern approach to the western coast of the Florida penninsula.

Deployment:

WEMITE will deploy. It is unsure at the moment which experimental design we will use, though it appears likely at this moment that the turbulence experiment will be used. This also depends on site surveys as well as intensity forecasts closer to landfall.

Updates/News/Announcements:

A final activation decision will be made later tonight given the 00 Z early cycle model runs. Only four towers will be deployed if activated. WM 1.5 will remain in Lubbock. Due to monetary concerns the deployment team will only consist of 4 members:

Deployment Team:

  • Dr. John Schroeder (will meet in the field)
  • Ian Giammanco
  • Brian Hirth
  • Kirsten Orwig
  • Maribel Martinez