WMOD00097 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ I I I I I J III. GENERAL OPERATIONS A. PROJECT DESIGN The WKWH Program was designed to be an operational cloud seeding effort to increase precipitation and reduce crop-damaging hail over the participating cDunties in sDuthwest Kansas, SDme data Dbtained in previous years on the program have been used by others in weather mDdificatiDn research and evaluations. Future seasDnal data from the WKWH Program will undoubtedly add mDre to this grDwing body Df infDrmatiDn. Over the years, technological innDvatiDns have been cDmbined successfully with other advances in the field of weather mDdificatiDn, The WKWH prDgram has cDntinuDusly upgraded its DperatiDns tD maintain high standards. In Drder tD aCCDmplish the Dbjectives Df the WKWM PrDgram, an DperatiDnal plan has been develDped. The general cDncepts Df the prDgram have changed little Dver its 15-year existence. WKWM DperatiDns divide intD three major categories.: (1) Weather forecasting/opeTational planning (2) Weather surveillance - visual and radar (3) Aircraft seeding DperatiDns B. WEATHER FORECASTING/OPERATIONAL PLANNING Radio and television weather programs can provide a general indication of expected storm development within the operational area, however, they are insufficient in detail to successfully conduct an operational weather modification program. Operational weather forecasts were prepared daily at the WKWM- operational headquarters by the program meteorologist and his assistant, All data received were supplied over phone lines via telecopier from Weathersource Inc., from Erie, Colorado. Data acquisition normally consisted of collecting the upper air sounding performed by the National Weather Service in Dodge City at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m" MDT. Also, various other meteorological information was obtained and analyzed in more detail over large geographical areas of interest at different levels of the atmosphere. By doing so much finer meteorological details can be tracked as they move toward the WKWM operational area. Continuous daily pressure, temperature and humidity data are recorded on microbarograph and hygrothermograph strip charts, Long- term, this information will be important in adding to our knowledge of Western Kansas weather. Meanwhile, all data provide invaluable as~istance in our short-term daily forecasting effort. By 10:00 a,m., MDT, the daily forecast was usually complete and an operational plan for the day was formulated. The plan and forecast were telephoned to the pilots at the sites remote from Lakin, Other 'operational requirements, maintenance, administrative work, etc.. were arranged either before or after the dissemination of the forecast. Fig. 4 presents our operational flow chart.