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<br />Lakin Internet: http://users.pld.com/hailman <br />Lakin E-mail: hailman@pld.com <br /> <br />Colby Internet: http://colby.ixks.com/-wkwmp/ <br /> <br />Colpy Internet: wkwmp@ixks.com <br /> <br />This year we used an upgraded version of a rawinsonde analysis <br />program called RAOB, which was developed by Environmental Research <br />Services, a company based in Pennsylvania. The program allows us to <br />analyze upper air data in a variety of ways.' A similar program <br />developed by there had been used the previous two years, as well. <br />Detail shown by the RAOB program is such that when printed, it <br />miniaturizes, yet very closely replicates a large Log-P, Skew-T <br />diagram printed on paper; it is suitable for performing <br />meteorological analysis and calculations used in our day-to-day <br />operations. It is possible to project several other stations' upper <br />air analyses onto the same chart so that atmospheric changes between <br />locations may be compared and contrasted. <br /> <br />Rawinsondes are balloon-borne weather-measuring instruments <br />launched twice a day, at 7 a.m. and again at 7 p.m. They contain <br />sensors measuring atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity <br />changes and transmit radio signals to a ground tracking station. <br />Windspeed and direction with height are also determined. On the <br />WKWMP rawinsonde data from the Dodge City National Weather Service <br />are used most often to determine what is a "representative" <br />atmosphere for our area. These data are virtually indispensable in <br />making a good short-term forecast-of 12 hours, or less. <br /> <br />Another service we use rout~nely to access weather information <br />is through the DIRECT USER ACCESS TERMINAL SYSTEM (DUATS). Other <br />software 'processes the weather data collected by DUATS including <br />forecasts, hourly surface observations, weather warnings, forecast <br />discussions, radar summaries, etc. DUATS is a government-funded <br />weather and flight planning service available to all pilots and is <br />accessed via computer terminal and modem. Duats has allowed most of <br />the old Flight Service System offices to be closed around the USA. <br /> <br />Normally by 10:45 a.m., daily, the WKWMP meteorologists each <br />have prepared their daily operational weather forecasts for their <br />respective areas and for the larger region. A telephone conference <br />between them is conducted in which is discussed their insights and <br />the seeding strategy expected for the day. When finished, the <br />meteorologists disseminate their forecasts and seeding strategy to <br />the pilots. The forecast/seeding strategy content is normally <br />disseminated to the pilots by direct telephone contact or pager <br />between 11: 00 and 12: 00 a.m., CDT. Operational requirements, <br />administrative work, etc., are arranged either before or after the <br />dissemination of the forecast. Fig. 4, on the following page, is a <br />flow chart of our daily operations. <br /> <br />16 <br />