WMOD00437

• Title: HIPLEX - 1978-79 Operations Plan - Big Spring-Snyder, Texas
• Date: 4/1/1978
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

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7.1.10 Special Rawinsonde Soundings
CRMWD will be responsible for making special rawinsonde soundings
as requested by the operational forecaster or the Project Director. These
soundings will ordinarily be made early in the morning and used by the
forecaster in making his daily forecast.
7.2 Determination of a Mesoscale Operational Day
7.2.1 Forecast Outlook
A forecast outlook will be provided by Mr. William Alexander, TDWR,
around 8:30 p.m. CDT each day. This outlook will provide as much
information as possible on the expected weather conditions for the
following day, especially in regard to convective activity. The informa-
tion will be provided to the Project Director and others as appro:priate.
7.2.2 Special Rawinsonde Soundings
Special rawinsonde soundings will be made by C~vD at Big Spring
as requested by the forecaster or the Project Director. These soundings
will ordinarily be made early in the morning and for forecasting :purposes.
The soundings will be processed immediately on the Bureau of Reclamation
computer and the information made available in tabular and graphical
form as needed.
7.2.3 Operational Forecast
A mesoscale operational forecast will be completed and made available
by Mr. Alexander by 8:30 a.m. CDT each day, and a Texas HIPLEX forecast by
11:00 a.m. CDT. Each forecast will be specific in terms of expecl:ed cumulus
development, the most probable areas for cumulus development, and the extent
of the cumulus activity. These forecasts will be provided to Mr. Riggio for
his use in deciding whether or not to declare a mesoscale operational day,
and to the Project Director for his use in planning seeding missions. During
July Mr. Riggio will continue to make the mesoscale operational decisions
while also serving as Project Director.
7.2.4 Declaration of a Mesoscale Operational Day
After considering all information and data available, Mr. ]~ggio will
decide whether or not the day will be declared a mesoscale operational day.
This decision will be made shortly after 8:30 a.m. and will be based on the
elements of the 8:30 a.m. CDT forecast, current conditions, and consultations
with other meteorologists present. Mr. Riggio will notify personnel of his
decision as soon after 8:30 a.m. as possible. If a mesoscale operational day
is declared by Mr. Riggio, it will be the responsibility of TAMU personnel
to activate the sounding network. This will be done by contacting the National
Weather Service at Midland, and the TAMU personnel located at Robert Lee and
Post. In addition, TAMU personnel will notify MRI personnel at Snyder,
and TTU personnel in Lubbock.

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