TRMM Tethered Balloon Site: Meck Island

Daily Activity Report for August 30-31 GMT

Modified operating procedures and very calm weather following a brief morning shower allowed for several successful tethersonde soundings. Soundings to altitudes between 600 and 800 meters were conducted at 2200 and 2300Z on 30 August and at 0200, 0500, and 0930Z on the 31st. The boundary layer varied between about 450 m and more than 600 m throughout the day. Relative humidity data remains suspect on these flights, especially on the flight at 0200Z. Tower and radiation measurement systems functioned well. Air temperatures on Meck Island ranged from approximately 298K to 302K. Relative humidity varied from 70% to 95%. Winds were west-southwesterly, with wind speeds ranging from approximately 1 to 5 m/s, gusting to 8 m/s during the morning shower.