Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 30th day of the month at 2:38Z
Agency: United States Air Force
Aircraft: Lockheed WC-130J Hercules with reg. number AF96-5300
Storm Number & Year: 05 in 2019
Storm Name: Dorian (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 16
Observation Number: 19
A. Time of Center Fix: 30th day of the month at 2:19:50Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 23.16N 68.35W
B. Center Fix Location: 360 statute miles (580 km) to the NNW (336°) from San Juan, Puerto Rico (U.S.).
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,912m (9,554ft) at 700mb
D. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 979mb (28.91 inHg)
E. Dropsonde Surface Wind at Center: From 30° at 24kts (From the NNE at 28mph)
F. Eye Character: Open in the southeast
G. Eye Shape & Diameter: Circular with a diameter of 8 nautical miles
H. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 79kts (90.9mph)
I. Location & Time of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 10 nautical miles (12 statute miles) to the ENE (57°) of center fix at 2:17:00Z
J. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 144° at 94kts (From the SE at 108.2mph)
K. Location & Time of the Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 12 nautical miles (14 statute miles) to the ENE (57°) of center fix at 2:16:30Z
L. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Outbound: 55kts (63.3mph)
M. Location & Time of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Outbound: 15 nautical miles (17 statute miles) to the SW (227°) of center fix at 2:24:30Z
N. Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: From 314° at 62kts (From the NW at 71.3mph)
O. Location & Time of the Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: 6 nautical miles to the SW (227°) of center fix at 2:22:00Z
P. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 12°C (54°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,045m (9,990ft)
Q. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 17°C (63°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,019m (9,905ft)
R. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 10°C (50°F)
R. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
S. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
S. Fix Level: 700mb
T. Navigational Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
T. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mile
Remarks Section:
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 94kts (~ 108.2mph) which was observed 12 nautical miles (14 statute miles) to the ENE (57°) from the flight level center at 2:16:30Z
General Note About Vortex Messages:
- Reported winds are usually averaged over a 10 second period. (The National Hurricane Center's advisory wind speeds are the highest expected winds averaged over a 1 minute period.)