SUMMARY OF COAST FLIGHT 12

Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 13:58:38 -0400 (EDT)
From: JOHN M BANE
Subject: COAST Flight report - July 18

COAST Flight Number 12 was flown on July 18, 2001. This flight was one in a series of near-weekly surveys we are conducting during the period between major COAST cruises. On this flight, Big Box Lines 8, 6, 4, and 2 were flown from south to north, and measurements were made of: SST, ocean color, and ocean subsurface temperature; atmospheric winds, temperature and humidity. Measurements began on Line 8 about 1330 PDT and were completed on Line 2 about 1730 PDT.

AXBTs were deployed as follows:

Line 6: 7 AXBTs
Line 2: 6 AXBTs

Vertical sections of meteorological variables were made on lines 4 and 8, extending from 60 m to 800 m altitude. Winds were light throughout the study area, and there was essentially no temperature stratification. This was following a period of nearly 20 days of moderate northerly winds in the region.

Oceanic surface temperatures were relatively warm in the study region, although some cool water near the coast was observed, likely residual upwelled water from the preceding period of northerly winds.

(Disclaimer - These descriptions are from looking at computer graphical displays while aboard the aircraft, and closer inspection of post-flight data products will provide more accurate conclusions, some of which may differ from statements here.)

Data products will be available from http://www.marine.unc.edu/cool/COAST or they may be retrieved from the real-time results or 4-days-plus results areas. All of these are buttons off of the main COAST site.

Submitted by:
John Bane
July 22, 2001