SUMMARY OF COAST FLIGHT 22

COAST Flight 22 was flown on August 24, 2001. This flight covered the Big Box from south to north. AXBTs were deployed as follows:

Line 2: 6 AXBTs
Line 4: 6 AXBTs
Line 6: 7 AXBTs
Line 8: 7 AXBTs

Measurements were made of: SST, subsurface ocean temperature, and upper-ocean color; atmospheric temperature, humidity and horizontal winds. The SST field and subsurface temperatures clearly showed the effects of the period of strong southerly winds that immediately preceded this flight. We overflew the Wecoma nearshore between Lines 6 and 7, and made several passes at different altitudes to gather color and SST calibration data.

The atmosphere during this flight was relatively quiet, with winds in the lower 1000m below 10 knots. No temperature inversion was observed.

At this time we still have resources sufficient to complete another two full AXBT surveys of the Big Box. Even though the ships have returned, if the winds should become stronger from the north during the next few days we will fly one or two more flights to observe the adjustment from the "warm" conditions seen on this flight.

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
August 26, 2001