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<br />(5) PTFCST: This produced a computer generated 12-hour and 24-hour <br />forecast of temperature, dew point, windspeed and direction, and <br />height at several standard atmospheric levels. For consistency the <br />point requested was kept at 380 N. Latitude and 1010 W. Longitude - <br />a point between Lakin and Garden City. This forecast provided <br />insight into the timing of the occurrence of weather events expected <br />during the day. Highly useful when combined with RAWIN and UPRAIR <br />data. <br /> <br />(6) HRLYWX: This provided an hourly surface weather sequence over <br />large geographical areas. This input gave us surface data to analyze <br />on a nearly real-time basis which was invaluable for locating high and <br />low pressure centers, fronts, troughs, areas of convergence, moisture <br />advection (or drying-out), and other important features. Generally, <br />the 8:00 a.m. and/or 9:00 a.m. (mountain time) surface data that was <br />used included stations from the states of: Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, <br />New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma as well as Kansas. Also, on occasion <br />in the afternoon or evening a surface analysis might be m?de if there <br />appeared to be significant differences between the actual weather and <br />the forecast weather. <br /> <br />By 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time the analysis of the above data was usually <br /> <br />completed with the meteorologists discussing them and arriving at a forecast <br /> <br />of expected weather conditions plus an operational plan for the day. The <br /> <br />forecast was then telephoned to the pilots at the sites remote from Lakin. <br /> <br />Other operational requirements, maintenance, administrative work, etc., <br /> <br />were arranged either before or after the dissemination of the forecast. <br /> <br />After the forecast was produced, a visual watch and radar watch was <br /> <br />maintained with periodic updates via television or the EDN data bank. <br /> <br />B. WEATHER SURVEILLANCE - VISUAL AND RADAR <br /> <br />WKWM personnel have the responsibility of monitoring weather on a 24-hour <br /> <br />.a day basis. Recognition of benign clouds as opposed to potentially des- <br /> <br />,tructive cloud systems require considerable experience. In order to reduce <br /> <br />hail effectively, it is extremely important to be able to identify potent- <br /> <br />~, . <br /> <br />, <br />ially severe storms and to be able to begin seeding them as quickly in their <br /> <br />,.' <br /> <br />,',' <br /> <br />life cycle as is possible. WKWM pilots as well as meteorolgists, are able <br /> <br />to distinguish between the two types of clouds as a matter of rule. <br /> <br />Rapidly growing clouds are not "seen" by radar until relatively late <br /> <br />in their life cycle. WKWM personnel understand the importance attached to <br /> <br />-12- <br /> <br />. <br />~, <br />