Well - despite the heavily advertised GIANT high pressure system due to roll in and squash all convective weather like a bug, a 40% chance of showers and thundershowers was forecast for today. And would you believe it - we got showers and thundershowers aplenty!
We decided to split into two radiosonde groups of nine per van, with the rest (NOT to be called the dregs!) were on RAWS alert. A RAWS is a Remote Automatic Weather Station, i.e., a bundle of instruments which sits all day and gathers data without complaining (unlike certain people!!!) So our RAWS group (for you see, I was in it) steamed off eastward in search of storms and a good place to set up and deposit the RAWS. There was an entertaining interlude which featured us driving along (and mostly up) a muddy dirt trail, before we decided a U-turn would be in order, followed by a retreat to real roads! We found a nice meadow to set up in, and got the RAWS assembled. There was some gloom (see previous posts on how disappointing instruments are)(always) when it was realized that the power supply had been put away switched ON, but hopefully the solar panel is trickling enough charge in... After that we shot eastward towards a pair of really good-looking cells. Since we had only kestrels, we had no choice but to stand out in the rain and wind some more. Measured wind gusts over 15 knots with the storms!
Now - a radiosonde group had been dispatched westward to Seligman, following cells. They didn't have much luck, arriving always right after a cell. And again they had trouble launching the radiosonde - but they are positive they know what to do tomorrow! Apparently this group also had an interesting experience with steep, rutted dirt roads :-)
The other radiosonde group chased just west and then east of FLG, and got two good launches off with good data (although none of us have seen it yet!) And they had some interesting experiences with lighting! As in lightning striking VERY close!!! So they had to cancel a launch or two!!
It was another good day, apart from the part where Drs. Bridger & Chiao somehow missed the turnoff for the airport when sent to pick up Neil Flaiz, and ended up halfway to Phoenix (cursing up a storm).
And as a footnote, there are subtle changes to the various area forecast discussions (AFDs) from Vegas, Flagstaff, Phoenix & Tucson. Subtle as in retaining chances of showers and thundershowers further into the week. So we are all happy!
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