Latest vortex from Recon:
Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 10th day of the month at 4:30Z
Agency: United States Air Force
Aircraft: Lockheed WC-130J Hercules with reg. number AF96-5302
Storm Number & Year: 11 in 2017
Storm Name: Irma (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 29
Observation Number: 09
A. Time of Center Fix: 10th day of the month at 4:12:10Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 23°35’N 81°09’W (23.5833N 81.15W)
B. Center Fix Location: 78 statute miles (126 km) to the SSE (149°) from Key West, FL, USA.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,505m (8,219ft) at 700mb
D. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 113kts (~ 130.0mph)
E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 11 nautical miles (13 statute miles) to the ENE (60°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 145° at 110kts (From the SE at ~ 126.6mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 15 nautical miles (17 statute miles) to the NE/ENE (56°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 931mb (27.50 inHg)
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 8°C (46°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,039m (9,970ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 17°C (63°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,050m (10,007ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 15°C (59°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character: Not Available
M. Eye Shape & Diameter: Circular with a diameter of 22 nautical miles (25 statute miles)
N. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
N. Fix Level: 700mb
O. Navigational Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
O. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mile
Remarks Section:
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 110kts (~ 126.6mph) which was observed 15 nautical miles (17 statute miles) to the NE/ENE (56°) from the flight level center at 4:07:00Z
Dropsonde Surface Wind at Center: From 165° at 3kts (From the SSE at 3mph)
Note the wind speed: 130 mph. Back up to Cat 4, with still a lot of open bathtub water to cross before any potential landfall.
Sent my son a copy of the latest from Recon because he was a C130 crew chief for 20 years in AF.
He said he worked on that plane (5302) along with 5301 when they were on loan from Keesler AFB for training. The 96 is the first year it went into service. Said he was glad to see it was still in action.