Toga Radar Science Log

**CAMEX -- Key West, Florida**

**17 --8 --01 14:05 UTC:** Clear day this morning, a few spotty clouds
over the ocean. Nothing significant. Just little scattered cells about
100km south, moving west in a straight line. 1 little cell about 20km
north or the radar, also moving west in a straight line. NSD

**15:46 UTC:** A few light showers in the viewable area. Cloud-cover is
about 30%. An east-west aligned group of showers, about 40dbz max, is
about 100 to 150 km to the south. JRL

**16:37 UTC:** A large cell has developed right on top of the radar. The
cell is rather large and moving to the Southwest. There are also
scattered cells about 100 to 150km south of the radar that are moving in
the same direction, with reflectivity values in the 18 to 50dBz range.
NSD

**19:16 UTC:** The "Radiate On " switch has gone out in the Transmitter.
I don't have a replacement for it right now, so I will have to go down
to N-Pole to get another one. They have instructed me to shutdown
operations for today, and fix the switch tomorrow morning. NSD

**21-8-01 15:35 UTC:** Finally got the radar working again after 2 days,
Now we are up and running. Scattered cells to the northwest moving north
at this time. Reflectivity is in the 18 to 60dBz range. At about 100 to
200km away from the radar. Right above us it is overcast, but nothing
significant. There was a large cell moving north from the south, but it
has dissipated at this time. NSD

**16:36 UTC:** Area of convection in the northwest quadrant becoming
more organized. Two distinct bands are noticeable. The band farthest
from the radar (200km) has higher reflectivity values (50 -- 60 dBz).
Second band (150 km from the radar) is much weaker (30 -- 40 dBz). Some
isolated cells also located northeast through south. Overcast skies
still observed overhead with scattered CU in the low levels. ETA

**17:31 UTC:** Thunderstorm overhead with light to moderate rain and
occasional lightning. Scheduled the KAMP_NEAR task. Areas of convection
in the northwest still moving northwest. The entire lower Keys are
covered with convection with reflectivity values in the 34 -- 44 dBz
range. Cells are moving northwest. ETA

**18:30 UTC:** Thunderstorms previously mentioned moved northwest.
Another convective band is overhead moving northwest. Moderate to heavy
rain with cloud to ground lightning has been observed. Reflectivity
values 34 --44 dBz. Most of the convective region previously located 150
-- 200 km from the radar has moved out of radar range or has
significantly decreased in intensity. ETA

**19:25 UTC:** Thunderstorm ended. The convective cells organized into a
rather large band extending from the southwest to northeast into extreme
southern Florida. The convective band is approximately 300 km in length
and 75 km wide. At this time, most reflectivity values fall in the 40 --
50 dBz range. One cell along the 300-310 radial has higher reflectivity
values (greater than 60 dBz). This cell was the one from the first wave
that moved over the area at 17:31. It increased in intensity as the
storms from the second wave (18:30 intersected) intersected with it. ETA

**21:15 UTC:** The convective band continues to move to the northwest.
Another band appears to be trying to organize to the east and southeast.
Another region of convection is located in Cuba and is slowly moving
westward. Running the SURVEILLANCE and the NORTH_FAR tasks. ETA

**22:30 UTC:** NO significant changes. ETA

**22-8-01 00:45 UTC:** There is a band to the east spanning from 75 to
150 degrees breaking up as it moves westward. Land breeze looking cell
persistent along the north Cuban coast. Persistent small cell at about
100 km to the northwest traveling south/southeast. Still lots of rain
over Florida mainland. CDR + KLM

**01:45 UTC:** Widespread showers along North Cuban coast. There are
small clusters of cells at 125 degrees. Weak cells at 45 degrees.
Showers continuing over mainland of Florida. A cell with reflectivity
values of 58 dBz popped out of the small previous cell at 325 degrees
and 125 km. CDR + KLM

**03:33 UTC:** Showers along N. Cuba are diminishing. The cell at 325
degrees is now at 150 km, but has broken up into 2 to 3 cells, each with
reflectivity values at about 55 dBz. Showers to the east and over the
mainland of Florida are also dissipating. CDR

**05:00 UTC:** Showers along N. Cuba are away from mainland and mainly
to the northeast. There is a small cell moving toward us but still 50 km
away. The cells at 325 degrees have dissipated and are now 150 to 300 km
away. Rain over Florida is insignificant. The evening is fairly calm,
but still overcast. CDR

**06:00 UTC:** Showers over NNE Cuba continue to slowly dissipate, while
a few small convective cells have popped up to our east ranging from 075
degrees (200 km) to 100 degrees (100 km). Little cluster of cells keeps
creeping up from the SSE, currently about 20km away, no lightning seen
yet. S FL is now mostly dry and there appears to be a few convective
cells riding some linear body from 100 -- 250 km rotating from 315 to
308. Have performed a handful of RHI scans over the last two hours. KLM

**07:00 UTC:** Light showers that began around 06:40 UTC ended about 5
minutes ago. Showers hanging to the immediate (15 -- 75 km) S and SE
appear to be mostly stratiform now. No lightning ever observed.
Convective cluster at 085 (\~180 km) more consolidated. Showers N and NE
of Cuba almost gone. A couple of cells continue to pop up along CCW
rotating linear body now at 295. Pretty quiet. KLM

**08:15 UTC:** Little going on now. Showers to our immediate S and SE
have dissipated and the only significant returns are progressing our way
along a 90 radial, currently about 150km away. KLM

**09:10 UTC:** Almost all radar returns are between 75 and 140. Previous
convective area to the E now producing relatively weak returns beyond
200 km. A couple cells at about 105 showing greater than 34 dBZ,
otherwise little to report. KLM

**10:20 UTC:** A few convective cells still hanging on as we see a
little brightening of the sky. To either side of the 130 azimuth, up to
five small 30-40 dBz cells remain. Further to their N (at 090) a couple
of lingering stratiform showers continue to decay. KLM

**11:43 UTC:** A small area of relatively weak echoes (34 -- 37 dBz) to
the east and southeast. Other than that, there is nothing significant to
report. TOGA is OPR; currently running the KAMP_FAR and the SURVEILLANCE
tasks. ETA

**12:57 UTC:** No significant changes since the last entry. Set the
workstation clock up 10 sec. To agree with the Satellite time, so that
we can have accurate comparisons. NSD

**14:02 UTC:** A few isolated cells are within 50 km of radar site.
Cells to the north are moving southwest while those to the south are
moving west. Beyond 100 km there are two regions of convection, one to
the northwest moving southwest. The other region is in the southeast
quadrant. The reflectivity values associated with this region (23 -- 37
dBz) are much smaller than those associated with the storms in the
northwest (50 -- 60 dBz). Still running the SURVEILLANCE and the
KAMP_FAR tasks. ETA

**15:32 UTC:** Scattered cells have appeared in the Northwest over an
area of about 50 to 250km away from the radar. There is also a larger
cell forming near Miami, about 200 to 300km Northeast of the radar.
Reflectivity is in the 18 to 50dBz range. There is also a large cell
forming directly South of the radar at about 25 to 50km. The
reflectivity in this cell is only in the 12 to 21dBz range at this time,
but, I expect it to grow as the day goes by. NSD

**16:46 UTC:** The cells that were to the south have dissipated. More
convection has developed in the Miami area with highest reflectivity
values in the 37 -- 50 dBz range. The cluster of convection to the
northwest still persists although there has been a decrease in coverage.
The higher reflectivity values are in the 50 -- 55 dBz range. ETA

**18:30 UTC:** No significant changes since last entry, although there
are two little cells forming over Cuba. Reflectivity values are in the
18 to 40 dBz range. NSD

**19:20 UTC:** There was one isolated rain shower overhead that you can
not see on the radar unless you zoom to the 75km view. The shower only
lasted for approximately 20 minutes. Most of the convection over the
water has dissipated. Southern Florida has a cluster of cells with
reflectivity values in the upper 50dBz range. Still running the
SURVEILLANCE and the KAMP_FAR tasks. ETA

**20:50 UTC:** Nothing significant to report. ETA

**22:23 UTC:** A few cells developed along an old outflow boundary from
the storms that were in extreme southern Florida earlier in the day.
These new cells are within 30 km of the radar and extend from the east
to southwest. Currently running the SURVEILLANCE and the KAMP_FAR tasks.
ETA

**23:54 UTC:** A strong cell is forming over Cuba now, and there are two
cells forming to the Southeast, moving Southwest. Reflectivity values
are in the 18 to 50dBz range. NSD

**23-08-2001** **01:01 UTC:** Neil changed out data tapes at 00:00z,
back in service and scanning (& recording) by 00:20z. As for any wx, the
arial coverage of the convection over C and SC Cuba is rapidly
diminishing though a small area of \~45dBZ still exists. Elsewhere,
several small, unorganized cells exist between 090 and 145 ranging from
35 km to 200 km. A small cell shows up at about 045 (180 km) and a
couple more over SW FL mainland at 340 and 250 km. All of these cells
have a max reflectivity around 36-42 dBz. KLM + CDR

**02:34 UTC:** a couple of cells popped up to the E and SE, including on
within about 5-10 km. Upper 40dBZ echo at 090 and 105 km, another 40dBZ
cell at 125 and a third small cluster at about 145.

**Note:** While attempting RHI of nearby cell, first RHI at 096.3 rose
to an elevation of 92.1 and after sweeping to 140.1 for second RHI scan,
remained stuck at 92.1 elev. Mike attempted to bring down antenna
manually to see if we could proceed: unsuccessful. Then called Neil.

We shut down Surveillance and KAMP_FAR in IRIS software and Mike climbed
up into the dome to manually push the antenna down. Came back and first
attempt to restart scanning failed due to EL ERROR indicator still on
the RCP02 (box on top of rack #9). Once this was reset, scanning resumed
as normal. Performed surveillance scan at 03:03 UTC and next full volume
scan began at 03:12 UTC.

# Problem: Antenna stuck at 92.1 elevation

> Began: 02:28 UTC
>
> Resolved: Yes
>
> Back in Service: 03:10 UTC
>
> Down Time BTW
>
> Volume Scans: 02:22 UTC (beg) -- 03:12 UTC (beg) / elapsed: 50 minutes

## KLM

**03:18 UTC:** \~53dBZ cell just off the SW FL (mainland) coast, 340/200
km. Upper 30/lower 40dBZ cell at 250/150 km. Other widely scattered
cells showing up on S half of radar domain, all within 200 km. KLM

**04:17 UTC:** Only significant wx right now is a few 44dBZ cells
between 300 and 340 and between 50 and 125 km. KLM + CDR

**07:03 UTC:** A few light showers out 150 km at 325 degrees. Nothing
big to report. Biggerstaff and Guynes stopped over to say hi.
Biggerstaff changed the threshold a bit to try to get max data with min
noise. CDR

**08:01 UTC:** Very little to report. One cell (low 40dBZ) around 325 /
75 km. A few others along the same AZ and \~230 km. KLM

**09:11 UTC:** The cell at 325 has moved to 100 km along the same
azimuth -- maintains about 43dBZ, Another cell at 110 (180 km) has
\~40dBZ. Nothing major. KLM

**10:11 UTC:** Small line of convection about 50 km to our N. KLM

**13:22 UTC:** Nothing significant to report (NSR). ETA

**14:23 UTC:** Still the same no significant changes in the weather at
this time. NSD

**15:54 UTC:** A small cell is forming Northwest of the radar with other
little pocket cells about 25 to 150km away from the radar. Reflectivity
values are in the 18 to 50dBz range. The whole mass is moving to the
Northwest. There is also a small cell forming right on top of us
directly North of the radar, about 10km from us. NSD

**17:34 UTC:** Now, a large group of cells is hovering directly above
the lower Keys. There are also two small cells developing Southeast of
the radar, about40 to 60km away. The group of cells directly over us is,
in my opinion, a perfect candidate for dual Doppler comparisons. All the
cells are tracking slowly Southwest. Reflectivity values are in the 18
to 50dBz range. NSD

**18:38 UTC:** The cluster of cells over the lower Keys has dissipated.
There are some isolated cells south through northwest. Currently running
the SURVEILLANCE and the KAMP_FAR tasks. ETA

**19:34 UTC:** No significant changes. ETA

**20:32 UTC:** The only significant change so far is the formation of a
cell over the Whitewater Bay area of the Florida peninsula. All in all,
it has been a very slow day weather wise. Reflectivity values for the
Whitewater cell are in the 18 to 50dBz range and the cell is tracking
Southwest, towards the radar. NSD

**21:34 UTC:** The cell coming at us from the Whitewater area is gaining
size and is about 30km away from the radar. The reflectivity values
remain the same, as does the track. Everything else has dissipated. NSD

**23:34 UTC:** NOTE: Running KAMP_NEAR. Pretty heavy precip. over
Sugarloaf Key (I believe), dBz values ranging from 12 to 50. Approx.
23:20z reached \~55 dBz on N Sugarloaf. Convection is oriented along the
lower Keys with a N-S oriented outflow body extending off of N Boca
Chica Key. Elsewhere, some light showers over C Cuba and a few conv.
showers on the SC FL mainland. Looking for a rainbow... KLM

**24-08-2001 00:48 UTC:** Nice cluster of convection off SW FL mainland
coast. (000 at 100 km) Local convection, off Key West (270 at \~50 km)
intensifying again. Both areas have \~45dBZ returns, and are
electrically active. Will remain in KAMP_NEAR mode for a little while
longer (until local cell reached beyond 50km radius), then will switch
back to KAMP_FAR.

NOTE: Have to occasionally "force" SURVEILLANCE scan when scheduled with
KAMP_NEAR. Also, there appears to be no "lag time" in which to run RHI
when running this combination. KLM

**01:42 UTC:** A couple of small showers off the N and NE Cuban coast
have popped up; they are in the \~35 -- 38dBZ range. The "local cell"
has continued to propagate W and is dying rapidly, max reflectivity is
\~34dBZ. Cells to the N appear to be becoming more organized. The
leading edge has formed into an E-W, slightly bowed, line segment. There
is on cell directly behind the line and another off of the segment's NE
flank. Propagation is to the SE with upper 40dBZ returns. Current
position is centered at 340 and 75 km. Switched back over to KAMP_FAR at
01:14z. KLM

**02:56 UTC:** Well, the "line segment" didn't hold together for long,
breaking into a cluster of cells ranging from 55 km (000) to 250 km
(330) to 125 km (325). A few small cells, oriented E-W, continue to
propagate from the S, currently about 110km

away at the 180 azimuth. If Nrn cells continue within the 50km radius,
we may switch back to the KAMP_NEAR scheme. KLM

**03:51 UTC:** Area of showers (which broke off of previous convection)
with embedded 45dBZ echo remains to our N by about 50 km and is slowly
working it's way here. The rest of the convection is strung out along
the 325 azimuth with some \~45dBZ returns. Only one small 33dBZ cell
remains to our SE. KLM

**05:07 UTC:** \~ 50dBZ cell popped up to our NW about 25 km away. Will
start KAMP_NEAR soon. Several cells along the same azimuth, extending to
250 km. Pretty quiet otherwise. KLM

**06:15 UTC:** Good sized area of precip still at 325 (160-180 km)
majority of which is \>38dBZ. Nearby showers dissipated as they reached
about 20 km from radar, but outflow boundary (OFB) should reach
Sugarloaf Key by 06:45 and here by 07:00 if it holds together. Small
cluster of cells ranging from 270 to about 300 at 100-150 km. Clear
elsewhere. KLM

**07:14 UTC:** Convective activity at 325 is pretty sparse. A few
showers are between those remains and 305, out between 150 and 200 km.
KLM

**09:06 UTC:** Two cells about 200 and 250 km to the NW. Blimps are up,
therefore wx is clear. KLM

**10:26 UTC:** Nothing to report. KLM

**11:44 UTC:** NSR. ETA

**12:44 UTC:** All same since last entry. NSD

**13:45 UTC:** All same since last entry. NSD

**14:50 UTC:** Nothing new to report. NSD

**15:45 UTC:** Still no weather to speak of. NSD

**16:43 UTC:** Still clear skies. NSD

**17:28 UTC:** TOGA shutdown for maintenance. ETA

**19:50 UTC:** TOGA is still down for maintenance. A few rain showers to
the west and towering CU to the northeast, movement unknown. Skies are
scattered in the low levels and broken in the upper levels. ETA

**20:44 UTC:** Showers that were to the west of the radar moved
southwest and dissipated. Towering CU still to the northeast. TOGA INOP.
ETA

**21:12 UTC:** TOGA OPR. ETA

**21:22 UTC:** TOGA INOP. ETA

**21:35 UTC:** TOGA OPR. ETA

**8/25/01**

**00:26 UTC:** A couple of cells with \~ 42 dBZ sitting at 345 out
between 175 and 225 km. Another couple of cells blowing up around 040
and 125 km. Switched tapes at the top of the hour. Blimps are already
up, ergo, expecting a long quiet evening. KLM

**01:29 UTC:** While the cells mentioned in the previous report have not
moved, the NErn cell has increased in reflectivity, now at about 48 dBZ.
Interestingly, our "blimp forecast" didn't pan out as a small cell has
popped up about 10 -- 15 km at about 315. We have switched from KAMP_FAR
to KAMP_NEAR until it either dissipates or moves outside the 50km ring.
KLM

**02:32 UTC:** Cells to the NNW and NNE still hanging on. 55 dBZ on the
N end of the cell at 330 / 215 km. Cells at 020 drifting S a little, now
at 65 km. Keeping an eye on it. KLM

**03:44 UTC:** Cell to our immediate NW (306 / 20 km) is rather
persistent with a max reflectivity around 55 dBZ a few minutes ago.
Storms keep hanging around 010 and continue to drift toward us; now at
about 60 km. Still a few decent sized cells at about 315 at 190 km.
Running KAMP_NEAR for the past half-hour. Stopped the scan to get a few
RHI scans. Will continue 'NEAR. KLM

**05:54 UTC:** Tonight is turning out to be the most active of the past
4. There are convective cells of some kind from 270 to 065 and all now
within 100 km. The longest lasting and largest is now centered about 350
giving it a SSEward propagation. Have remained in KAMP_NEAR most of the
evening with cells being so close by. Will try occasional RHI, but will
need to interrupt 'NEAR scans to do so. KLM

**07:29 UTC:** Not much change from last report. Nearby convection
confined to the 270 - 000 quadrant. There are a few small cells popping
up at about 200 and 150 km. Most of the significant convection is now
outside the 50 km range therefore will switch back to KAMP_FAR. KLM

**09:10 UTC:** A 34dBZ cell sits about 25 km to our N. Several other
cells are located to the NW. If nearby cell gets closer to the Keys
(over land) then will switch to KAMP_NEAR, otherwise will remain at
KAMP_FAR. KLM

**11:45 UTC:** There are a few isolated convective cells to the NW and
SW. These cells are all beyond 100km range. There is another cell to the
NE at 75km range. The disk usage was checked at 11:30, and iris was
stopped to clean out the product and ingest directories. Disk usage
should be checked again at 14:30. DRJ

**13:00 UTC:** Isolated convective cells continue to fill the radar
screen to the NW and SW. Nearly all of the echoes are outside of 100km
range. They are moving to the SSW. DRJ

**14:30 UTC:** The only echoes present are a few convective cells to the
NW at 140km range. The cells at other locations have dissipated. The
cells to the NW also appear to be weakening as they move to the SSW. The
disk usage was checked and it has been holding steady at 87% over the
last 60 minutes. DRJ

**15:54 UTC:** Isolated convective cells are still present to the W and
NW. These cells are fairly small and appear to be short-lived as they
move towards the SW. There also seems to be showers developing over Key
West and the N-POL radar site. These showers have reflectivity values
near 35 dBZ. DRJ

**17:25 UTC:** Isolated cells are still located to the NW and W. A cell
developed just to the NE of TOGA and rain has been falling here for 20
minutes. DRJ

**18:55 UTC:** There are a few isolated showers towards the W beyond
200km range. The rain shower that passed over TOGA has moved to the
southwest and is at a range of 20 km. Rain ended around 18:00. There are
also a few isolated cells forming over the southern Florida peninsula.
DRJ

**20:50 UTC:** For the most part, the area is rain free. There are a
couple of small dissipating patches of rain moving away from Key West at
20 km range. The only other areas of rain on the radar screen are
isolated cells over the southern Florida peninsula and over Cuba. The
rain showers over Cuba are giving us second trip echo. DRJ

**22:50 UTC:** The radar screen shows a few convective cells along the
northern Keys. Some isolated cells are also located to the SW beyond 100
km. DRJ

**23:52 UTC**: A few convective cells continue along the northern Keys
and south FL near 80km range.

**[8/26/01]{.underline}**

**00:20 UTC:** There is a good looking cell over the northern part of
the keys...75km out at 40 degrees. There is another cell over the
southern part of the Florida mainland with reflectivity values topping
around 55 dBz. It is 75km out at about 20 degrees. We successfully
initialized the tapes and cleaned the ingest all by ourselves! However
the archives only appeared to record data until 16:32 Z. Slightly
confused about that. CDR

**01:37 UTC:** Both cells mentioned above have not drastically changed.
A third cell popped up directly in between the two cells. All three are
located at about 75 km out, in the first quadrant. There is visible
lightening in that direction. CDR

**02:30 UTC**: Three cells are present, all to the E and NE of TOGA. The
most recently formed cell is near 30km range with maximum reflectivity
near 45 dBZ. The two other cells are older and are near 50km range.

**02:30 UTC**: Neil stopped by and adjusted the ingest and archive
partition sizes. Discussed with Nathan at NPOL why the KAMP_FAR volume
scans have a maximum range of 300 km instead of 150 km. This is because
TOGA uses RPHASE processing. This allows the maximum unambiguous range
to be 150 km, but the maximum range for scanning to be 300 km. Discussed
possible archive tape problem with Neil (see 00:20 UTC). Tape will be
checked to see if all data from 010825 have been recorded. If data does
stop at 16:32 UTC 010825 (per archive listing), the remaining data from
010825 have been lost. This may have happened if tapes were not properly
unmounted before IRIS was stopped.

**03:12 UTC**: Two cells, which were to the E, have merged into a small
cell with relatively high reflectivity (54.5 dBZ max), and range of 35
km. A weakening cell is located to the NE near 40km range. Lightning has
stopped.

**03:50 UTC**: Cell to NE has dissipated. Cell to East near 35km range
has weakened to a light shower (20 dBZ). No other significant echo with
150km range. It's going to be a long night.

**04:45 UTC**: No significant echo within 300 km.

**05:00 UTC**: Small cell developed due North near 35 km range. Maximum
reflectivity 38.5 dBZ. No movement detected. No other significant echo
within 150 km.

**05:40 UTC**: Small cell to North near 33km range. Maximum reflectivity
48.5dBZ. No other significant echo within 150km.

**06:20 UTC**: Small cell to North near 33km range. Maximum reflectivity
43 dBZ. Cell slowly drifting to West. No other significant echo within
150 km.

**07:10 UTC**: Several small cells developing to NNW within 50 km.
Maximum reflectivity 56 dBZ. Cells appear to be slowly drifting to the
South.

**07:23 UTC**: Cells to N and NW maintaining strength and coverage.
Several reflectivity cores. Elevated reflectivity maximum near 50 dBZ
evident near 3.5 km height in cell closest to TOGA (15 km range).
Impressive lightning in anvil revealing mature Cb structure. Thunder.

**08:00 UTC**: Scattered small cells to W and NW from 35 to 100 km
range.

**09:20 UTC**: Scattered small cells mainly to West from 40 to 120 km
range. Cells moving to SW. Maximum reflectivity approaches 50 dBZ in a
few pixels. Lightning visible to West.

**09:53 UTC**: Cells are clustering into 2 groups to West. First cluster
near 50 km range, and second near 120 km range.

**10:23 UTC**: Cell clusters are breaking up and individual cells are
weakening.

**13:38 UTC:** Isolated cells are located to the E and W. These cells
are short-lived as they move towards the SSE.

**14:30 UTC:** There are two convective cells located over the northern
Keys. Also, a few small dissipating echoes are present to the W around
100km range.

**17:00 UTC:** The only echoes on the radar screen are isolated cells
developing along the southern tip of the Florida peninsula.

**19:40 UTC:** Convective cells continue to develop and dissipate over
the southern Florida peninsula. A cell has developed 20 km to the south
and is moving towards the south.

**20:40 UTC:** The convective cell that developed to the south is
beginning to dissipate as it moves to the SSW. There is an area of
moderate reflectivity to the NE at 50km range associated with a cell
that moved S off the peninsula.

**22:00 UTC:** The area of moderate reflectivity from the previous
observation has dissipated. The only significant echoes are isolated
convective cells on the southern tip of the peninsula.

**23:04 UTC:** The only weather to report are the showers located across
the tip of the peninsula. They are located at 75 to 100 km out and
moving south. Reflectivity values do not exceed 50 dBz. CDR

**23:42 UTC**: Several convective cells over the southern tip of FL
peninsula and near Key Largo. The closest cell is near 50km range.

**[08/27/01]{.underline}**

**00:12 UTC:** Cleared product and ingest directories. Tape change as
scheduled. Lightning to NE from approaching cell (approx. 40km range).

**00:23 UTC**: Several strong convective cells and showers located to
the NE. Maximum reflectivity values near 50 dBZ. Cells are lined up
along the Keys from Marathon to Key Largo. Closest cell near 30km range
with 45 dBZ extending to height of 4 km. Impressive in-cloud and
cloud-to-cloud lightning. Cells appear to be dropping almost due South.

**00:48 UTC**: RHI scan at 72 along Keys reveals reflectivity cores of
45 dBZ extending to height near 6 km with detectable echo to height of
16 km. Cell scanned is from 50-75 km range. Fantastic lightning show
continues. Cells continue to drop almost due South. Closest cell (30 km
to NE) now appears to be weakening, while cells stretching along Keys
appear to be maintaining strength.

**01:17 UTC**: RHI scan at 90 shows elevated reflectivity core of 56 dBZ
from 5 to 7 km heights. 30 dBZ extends to height near 12 km while echo
is detected to 15km height. Cell to NE near 30km range has weakened to
nothing more than a 20-30-dBZ shower. Cells due East have built back
toward the West and are now near 30 km range, with maximum reflectivity
near 45 dBZ.

**02:17 UTC:** Cells to the east are continuing to push southward,
reflectivity values are not as strong. Three convective cells to the
northeast have popped up with values up to 50 dBZ. They are less than 50
km away. There are similar showers directly north located at about 75 km
out. There was excellent cloud-to-cloud lightning to the N and NE for
awhile. That has seemingly stopped. CDR

**02:40 UTC**: Small cell developed directly over TOGA. Cells to East
have diminished in intensity and all that remains is a small patch of
light showers. Additional cells have developed in the NW quadrant from
30 to 80 km range. Cells were moving SSW. Maximum reflectivity
approaches 50 dBZ. Scanning strategy switched from KAMP_FAR to
KAMP_NEAR.

**03:12 UTC**: Cells dropping to South. The cell that appeared to form
directly over TOGA has continued to develop. Two cells are now present
to S and SW within 10km range. Maximum reflectivity values near 50 dBZ.
Running KAMP_NEAR scans.

**03:50 UTC**: Small area of light rain with several embedded cores to S
and SW of TOGA. Maximum reflectivity values near 45 dBZ. Echo heights
near 12 km. Precip appears to be decreasing in coverage and intensity.
Small cluster of cells to NW from 40-50 km range. Will probably
discontinue KAMP_NEAR shortly. Light rain with an occasional lightning
flash noted.

**04:00 UTC**: Discontinued KAMP_NEAR and started KAMP_FAR. Cells and
light rain to South within 20 km is now diminishing. Small cluster of
convection and showers to NW near 40 km is decreasing in coverage.
Maximum reflectivity values near 45 dBZ. Small patch of light echo to
East from 80-100 km range is all that remains of previous strong cells.

**04:50 UTC**: Two small cells to W and NW near 26 and 50 km range.
Maximum reflectivity 45dBz. Small patches of light echo (\< 20 dBZ) are
present to NW and SE from 50 to 100 km ranges.

**05:10 UTC**: A few showers in all quadrants except NE from 40 to 100
km ranges. Nothing significant.

**05:52 UTC**: A few small showers and cells to S and SW from 40-80 km
range.

**06:47 UTC:** Very small cells in the first, second, and third
quadrant. The closest to the SW at about 50km out; the furthest to the
northeast at 175 km out.

**07:32 UTC**: A few small showers to the SW near 75km range. One lone
cell at 75 azimuth and 135 km range with max reflectivity 45.5 dBZ.
Another lone cell at 300 azimuth and 143 km range with max reflectivity
53.5 dBZ.

**08:52 UTC**: Lone cell at 75 azimuth and 150 km range. A few showers
near 210 azimuth between 100 and 150 km range.

**10:22 UTC:** Single cell at 155 degrees, 80 km out. Very small
scattered showers around 200 degrees 150+ km out.

**11:48 UTC:** A few isolated quasi-stationary cells south to southwest
of TOGA. ETA

**12:40 UTC:** Isolated cells extend from the southeast to southwest.
The cells in the southeast are about 50-60km from TOGA. The cells that
are south-southwest are about 100-200km from TOGA. Very little movement
is seen with these cells. The cell in the southeast has the highest
reflectivity (55 dBz). ETA

**13:51 UTC:** Isolated cells continue in the southeast to southwest. A
few cells have developed about 15km north and northeast. RHI scans show
40-45 dBz cores extend up to about 8 -- 10km. The cells to the south
appear to have higher reflectivity values. The skies are mostly clear
except for the CB's and some cumulus at about 1000 feet. Currently
running the SURVEILLANCE and the KAMP_FAR tasks. ETA

**14:59 UTC:** Most of the observed cells have dissipated. One remains
to the immediate south, about 75km and another about 5km north. The low
level cumulus field has increased in coverage with bases at about 1500
feet. ETA

**15:40 UTC:** Switched to KAMP_NEAR task. Rather large cluster overhead
and extends from Sugarloaf Key to just pass Big Pine Key. Some isolated
55dBz cores. Thunder overhead with very light rain. ETA

**16:54 UTC:** The lower Keys are covered by thunderstorms and rain
showers. TOGA is in the stratiform region of the dissipating cells.
Light rain is falling at the site and thunder can be heard to the
southwest and west. Storms appear to be moving slowly to the south. ETA

**18:12 UTC:** Switched to KAMP_FAR at 17:52 UTC; also still running the
SURVEILLANCE task. A few isolated cells over the upper Keys and one just
south of Key West. A nice outflow boundary can be seen about 40km north.
Skies overhead are broken in the upper levels from the thunderstorm
cirrus shield. ETA

**19:30 UTC:** The outflow boundary is still at the same position as it
was earlier. All the other cells have scattered to the Southwest, and
the Northeast, about 150 to 300km away from the radar. No other
significant activity to report at this time, although the skies overhead
are still hazy. NSD

**20:30 UTC:** No significant activity or changes to report at this
time. NSD

**21:50 UTC:** Changed the system time on TOGA. No sig wx. ETA

**22:30 UTC:** No significant changes to report at this time. NSD

**8/27/2001**

**00:52 UTC:** A few cells on the S. tip of the peninsula; 30 degrees,
100 km out. Two small cells at 350 degrees, 75 km out. We initialized
the tapes just fine. CDR

**03:48 UTC:** Two sfc boundaries in the N half of the domain.
Otherwise, no weather to report. KLM

**05:20 UTC:** No current weather to report. CDR

**07:30 UTC:** A nice convective linear system came through at 220
degrees stretching from 100 km to 40 km out. Highest reflectivity was
about 55 dBZ. We were excited for awhile as it lasted for 45 min but
soon became more discrete and less intense. CDR

**09:25 UTC:** Not much change after that system moved through. A single
cell 90km out at 185 degrees is the only weather on the screen. CDR

**11:15 UTC:** System being brought down for generator maintenance.
There is no significant weather to speak of at this time. NSD

**13:00 UTC:** TOGA OPR. Resuming the SURVEILLANCE and KAMP_FAR tasks.
Currently there are a few isolated cells to the northwest and north.
Highest reflectivity values are about 55dBz. ETA

**14:00 UTC:** Still a few isolated cells in the northwest quadrant. An
old outflow boundary is located about 30km to the north and appears to
be moving southwest. A new cell is developing along this boundary. ETA

**15:20 UTC:** Intermittent radar scans until further notice. A DSP
problem has been discovered while attempting to run the NORTH_FAR sector
scan. Attempting to troubleshoot the problem. ETA

**19:00 UTC:** No change. ETA

**23:00 UTC:** No longer running tasks. TOGA is still experiencing DSP
problems. ETA

**[08/28/01]{.underline}**

**16:10 UTC:** Resuming TOGA operations. Currently SURVEILLANCE and
KAMP_FAR tasks. There are isolated cells from the west through the
northeast. Movement of these cells is to the northwest. There are no
significant cells within 100km of TOGA. MAX reflectivity values are
about 44 -- 50 dBz. ETA

**17:10 UTC:** No change. ETA

**18:15 UTC:** A slight increase in the number of convective cells.
Still generally confined from the west to the northeast though with the
most intense cell (44 -- 50 dBz) located in southwestern Florida near
Fort Myers. Cell movement is to the west-northwest. Still running the
SURVEILLANCE and the KAMP_FAR tasks. ETA

**01:06 UTC:** Biggerstaff, Jerry and Neil set up several scanning
techniques for future use. Right now we are running KAMP_FAR and
SURV_FAR and I will be "tweaking" the SQI to try and get rid of some
clutter. Weather wise, we have some persistent and rather strong cells
(45-50 dBZ) off the SW coast of FL mainland (330 at 200 km) moving to
the NW. Other convective showers in C Cuba and a few small cells due E
at about 200 km. KLM

**02:12 UTC:** Not much change from last time. NW cells appear to be
back building somewhat to the S. KLM

**02:53 UTC:** Storms to the NW still strong and continue to slowly
build this way. Am switching from KAMP_FAR to NORTH_FAR sector scan.
Nothing terribly interesting in Cuba any more. KLM.

**03:08 UTC:** Well, it appears that the NORTH_FAR sector scan only
reaches the 150km radius. Since the bulk of the storm lies just beyond
150 km, have switched back to KAMP_FAR. If the storm makes its way
closer (within 150 km), will ten try NORTH_FAR sector scan. Also may
call Biggerstaff to see if they want to try coordinated scans. KLM

**05:17 UTC:** Well, things have died off considerably. After reaching
nearly 60 dBZ in the storms to the NW, they have decreased in
reflectivity to their current value of about 35 dBZ. A small cluster of
storms remains between 090 and 130. Remaining in SURV_FAR & KAMP_FAR.
KLM

**06:37 UTC:** Nice little cell popping up to our 085 about 5 km away.
Switching to KAMP_NEAR but need to tweak SQI for Z and V when scan is
done. Scattered convection all quads with most significant cells to the
SE at about 120km -- max dBZ is about 38. KLM

**08:00 UTC:** There are a few lingering showers in the E half of the
domain max reflectivity is about 34 dBZ. Interestingly, the W half has
become quite active as of late. Generally around 285 and beyond 100 km,
there are many cells showing low 40 dBZ. Will remain in KAMP_FAR. KLM

**10:00 UTC:** No significant changes...same as above report. KLM

**11:00 UTC:** Nothing significant to report at this time. NSD

**13:00 UTC:** Situation still the same, nothing new to report.

**15:14 UTC:** Small cells are now starting to develop to the Northwest
and the Southeast, about 150 to 300km away from the radar. Reflectivity
values are in the 18 to 50dBz range. Everything is tracking Northwest.
NSD

**16:12 UTC:** Most of the small cells to the Northwest have dissipated,
and there are more small cells forming in the Southwest Reflectivity
values remain the same as does the track. Everything is moving Southwest
to Northwest. NSD

**17:14 UTC:** Very isolated small cells in all quadrants. Movement is
to the west-northwest. Skies are scattered to broken with CU at about
1500 feet with some CS above. Most of the CU has very little vertical
extent while some have moderate vertical extent. ETA

**18:52 UTC:** Nothing new to report. Just more scattered cells in all
quadrants, forming and dissipating, all moving West -- Northwest. NSD

**19:52 UTC:** All conditions remain the same. NSD

**20:50 UTC:** No organized convection. Most of the isolated cells are
over the Florida peninsula and Cuba. ETA

**21:48 UTC:** No significant changes at this time. NSD

**22:51 UTC:** No organized convection within 200km of TOGA. There is a
cluster of cells 200 -- 250km to the north on the west coast of Florida
and another 250km to the northeast. Both of these areas show data
dropouts in while running the KAMP_FAR task. May need to do some
tweaking on the task. ETA

**00:22 UTC:** Convection to the NE appears to be sputtering out as are
most other areas of significant conv. Remaining in KAMP_FAR mode, but
experiencing dropped bins (refl. dropouts). Have tried playing with SQI
and LOG thresholds with no success in regaining data. Called Nathan and
suggested putting default thresholding schemes back in. (currently Z and
V are each using "LOG & SQI"). KLM

**02:38 UTC:** Much quieter night than anticipated. Convection to the NE
has died off almost entirely. Cuba seems to be enjoying a rare rain free
evening. Everglades, however, remains active with a few cells in the 38
dBZ range. These are all beyond 200 km. As for the "dropout" problem:
after talking with Biggerstaff I have brought the SQI down to 0.15 and
worked up to its current value of about 0.36. This still produces some
2^nd^ trip echoes but anything higher results in data loss on the RTD.
KLM

**04:44 UTC:** Not much change. A few cells have popped up in the NW
sector, a couple with \~55 dBZ. KLM

**06:18 UTC:** No significant changes. KLM

**07:27 UTC:** Not much change from above report except a cell has
developed at about 215/145 km.

**08:24 UTC:** Biggerstaff just called asking about conditions for
today's aircraft participation. There may be a little "back building"
occurring from the NW cells toward the radar. Shortly after I got off
the phone with Biggerstaff, noticed a possible sfc body extending from
the Keys to the NW toward the storms. Not entirely confidant that this
sfc feature is real as I am still having trouble with filtering the
data. Have had to keep SQI filter low to retain the data at the expense
of a good amount of 2^nd^ trip noise. KLM

**09:48 UTC:** Little has changed regarding the weather. A larger
cluster of cells has developed to the W with a couple of large cells
remaining to the NW. As for the filters, after talking with Biggerstaff,
have opted for lower threshold and will edit out noise in post
processing. KLM

**10:44 UTC:** Increased number of convective cells to the SE moving
toward the radar, otherwise no significant changes. KLM

**11:00 UTC:** Fixed filter problem, by installing same settings as the
KAMP_NEAR scan. NSD

**12:17 UTC:** The convective cells have dissipated at this time. There
also was a large cell off of the Florida Peninsula, around the St.
Petersburg area. That too has dissipated. Everything has moved off to
the Northwest. NSD

**13:17 UTC:** No significant changes to report at this time. NSD

**14:37 UTC:** Isolated convective cells are developing to the S and SE.
These cells are within 150 km of the radar and are moving towards the
NW. The convective showers S of Tampa/St. Petersburg are at 200km range
and are moving to the NW. DRJ

**16:00 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to
report. NSD

**18:20 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. There are some convective
cells to the SE that may pass over the radar if they do not dissipate.
DRJ

**18:58 UTC:** Convective cells are located to the S at 10 km and 30 km.
Other cells are located to the SE at 40km moving towards the radar. DRJ

**20:10 UTC:** The convective cells near the radar have dissipated.
Elsewhere, isolated cells are present over most of the area. These cells
are moving towards the WNW. DRJ

**21:15 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. The only changes are
increased convective activity over Cuba and the SW Florida peninsula.
DRJ

**21:24 UTC:** Changed repeat times for the SURV_FAR and KAMP_FAR.
Conflicting schedules were kicking off the transmitter and giving us a
Device Timeout error message. Set them both on a 12min schedule so these
errors wouldn't happen again. NSD

**23:00 UTC:** No significant changes to report at this time. NSD

**09-01-01**

**00:35 UTC**: Few isolated cells 150 to 200 km west of area. Movement
is to the west. Some isolated cells are beginning to fire just south of
the Keys. Movement of these cells is to the west-northwest. KLM

**02:30 UTC**: Few isolated cells southeast moving westward. Otherwise,
very quiet weather. KLM

**04:30 UTC**: No significant changes in the last two hours! KLM

**06:30 UTC**: No significant changes in the last two hours! KLM

**08:30 UTC**: Scattered cells northwest and southeast of the Keys.
Movement is to the west-northwest. Lightning visible to the southeast in
the past few hours. KLM

**10:30 UTC**: Scattered showers continue to cover most of the radar
screen with movement still to the west-northwest. KLM

**12:15 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. No significant changes to
report. DRJ

**14:07 UTC:** Convective cells to the southeast are beginning to form a
line oriented NW-SE. Other isolated cells are located to the east moving
towards the WNW. DRJ

**15:02 UTC:** The line has split into two main segments. The northern
cell is within the dual-Doppler baseline. SMART-R and TOGA are
monitoring the southern segment for further development and dual-Doppler
coordination. Another cell to the SE is approaching the radar. DRJ

**15:47 UTC:** dual-Doppler coordination with SMART-R for the South_Near
task. At this time multiple convective cells are developing to the south
of the radar. The echo tops are only around 18 degrees elevation, so we
are switching to South_Far task. In addition, convective showers are
widespread over the northern two sectors of the radar display. DRJ

**17:16 UTC:** We have switched to a North_Far task. Most of the
convection on the south side of the Keys has dissipated or has moved to
the north of the Keys. Convection is taking place over many areas within
the northern sectors. TOGA and SMART-R have changed the azimuth limits
for the North_Far task to include convection taking place to the west.
DRJ

**17:26 UTC:** The cells directly over the Keys are aligned
perpendicular to the Keys. TOGA received light rain for a few minutes.
DRJ

**18:30 UTC:** Both SMART-R and TOGA went back to the original azimuth
limits for the North_Far task. At this time, a cluster of cells is to
the NW at 30-70 km range. Also, widespread convection is taking place
over the SW Florida peninsula. DRJ

**20:06 UTC:** The coordinated scanning with SMART-R is still going on.
Most of the convection is in the northern sector and is moving towards
the NW. Most of the convection is getting beyond 100 km, with the
exception of one cell to the N at 50 km moving away from the radar. DRJ

**20:20 UTC:** At 25km range towards the NW, three new convective cells
are developing in a line segment. DRJ

**20:35 UTC:** The cell at 50 km to the north is moving NW and is
merging with a cluster of showers at 80km range. In addition, convective
showers moving off the Florida peninsula have a more westward component
of motion and are merging with this rain area. The line segment forming
to the NW at 25km range appears to be back building to the SE as another
cell has developed. DRJ

**21:35 UTC:** The radar echoes are continuing their movement to the NW.
Another group of convective cells has developed to the N at 35km range.
The North_Far task is still running along with SMART-R. DRJ

**21:45 UTC:** At this time, the coordinated scanning with SMART-R has
stopped. The large echoes of precipitation are beyond 100km range.
Smaller groups of convective showers exist to the N and NW. DRJ

09-02-01

**00:45 UTC:** Scattered showers to the northwest from 270 to 360
degrees. Reflectivity values all below 50 dBZ. Dissipating cells over
northern Cuba. CDR

**03:03 UTC:** Cells to the northwest have dissipated. No significant
weather to report. CDR

**07:00 UTC:** An impressive cell formed at 5 Z 100km out, directly to
the northwest. Highest reflectivity at 55 dBZ, 45 km wide on its major
axis. It continued to travel northwest, breaking up by 6 Z. Still widely
scattered showers to the northwest. CDR

**09:27 UTC:** Scattered convection widely scattered on the scope.
Greatest concentration remains to the NW where the previously mentioned
cell has undergone several "up and down" periods of intensity. Max
reflectivity on this cell, as well as a cell nearly due west at nearly
200 km, is in the 44 to 50 dBZ range. Considered calling
Jerry/Biggerstaff, but each time I do, the cell goes into a "down" phase
of intensity. KLM

**10:40 UTC:** No significant changes. KLM

**13:19 UTC:** Continued modest convective activity to the Northwest.
JRL

**16:26 UTC:** Modest convection developed somewhat south of due west in
addition to convection to the northwest. JRL

**18:10 UTC:** The convection is restricted to the northwest and is
weaker than it was earlier today. JRL

**21:25 UTC:** Convection developing over land in South Florida and
Cuba. JRL

**23:18 UTC:** Small strong cells over Cuba reflectivity has slightly
weakened to 50 dBZ. Showers over the mainland of Florida and scattered
to the east. CDR

09-03-01

**05:05 UTC:** Small strong cells (50 dBZ) 100km due north of the radar
off of the FL coast moving east. JKJ

**07:09 UTC:** Strong cells have dissipated. Widely scattered
thunderstorms are developing from northeast to south of the radar and
are moving due east. Otherwise, all's quiet on the western front. JKJ

**09:27 UTC:** Scattered showers all the way around. Most collected to
the southeast. No reflectivity values higher than 40 dBZ. CDR

**12:16 UTC:** The scattered showers that were all around us have
dissipated, and everything out there is dissipating as it moves to the
Northwest. There are a few small cells over the Florida Peninsula, also
there is one tiny cell about 50km away from the radar, to the Northwest.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 50 dBz range. NSD

**13:24 UTC:** The cells over Florida have dissipated, other than that,
there is nothing else significant to report, at this time. NSD

**14:23 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. Nothing new to report. NSD

**15:26 UTC:** Nothing new to report, there is no significant weather,
to speak of, out there. NSD

**16:34 UTC:** Started coordinating with SMART-R on North Sector scans.
There still is no significant weather out there to speak of, with the
exception of a small cell 125km Northwest of the radar. Reflectivity
values are in the 18 to 50 dBz range. NSD

**17:50 UTC:** Still doing coordinated sectors, There are groups of
small convective cells developing over the Florida mainland.
Reflectivity values are in the 10 to 40 dBz range. Other than that there
is no other significant weather at this time. NSD

**18:00 UTC:** No longer doing coordinated scans with SMART-R, went back
to standard SURV_FAR, and KAMP_FAR scans. NSD

**18:48 UTC:** There is a mid sized cell passing right over us. I'm
thinking that it will skirt West of the radar. Reflectivity values are
in the 18 to 50 dBz range. Also there are scattered cells all around
from 100 to 250km away from the radar, reflectivity values are the same.
All cells are tracking Northwest. NSD

**19:50 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to
report, except that the cell that I mentioned earlier, has skirted West
of us, then dissipated. NSD

**20:50 UTC:** Strong cells are now forming around the Fort Meyers, and
Cape Sable, areas of Florida, in the North, and there are strong cells
forming over Cuba in the South. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 55
dBz range. So far there is nothing but scattered stratiform cells all
around the radar, although, nothing as strong as the other areas
mentioned. The closest of the small cells is 50 to 100km away from the
radar in all directions. Everything is tracking Northwest. NSD

**21:46 UTC:** The cells over Cuba have converged to form one large
storm, but haven't moved North into the ocean yet. There is a small cell
just popping up about 10km North of the radar. It too, is moving
Northwest. The cells over Florida have now bunched up over the Fort
Meyers area. There are still scattered cells all around the radar at 50
to 250km away. Reflectivity values remain the same, as does the track of
the mass. NSD

**22:45 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to
report. NSD

09-04-01

**02:30 UTC:** Strong storms off the western coast of Florida with max
at 65dBz but are moving west away from our area. Other storms are
developing south and southeast of the Keys along what appears to be an
outflow boundary from storms that dissipate over Cuba. Overall motion
still to the west at about 15kts/6m s-1. JKJ

**03:00 UTC:** Storms starting to move within 20 km from TOGA. Max
reflectivity values around 50-55 dBz with movement west-northwest at
about 15kts. JKJ

**03:21 UTC:** Switched to KAMP_NEAR with convection ALQDS around TOGA.
Strongest storms were located within 20km from TOGA to the Southeast at
55 dBz and another core about 50km to the Northwest at 55 dBz. Movement
continues to be west-northwest at 15kts. JKJ-CDR

**03:26 UTC:** KAMP_NEAR running at a 7 min 30 sec interval while
SURV_NEAR is running at a 16 minute interval. Storms still located ALQDS
with occasional lightning seen out the windows. Max reflectivity values
still around 50 dBz with the strongest cores now to the north-northwest
at about 25 km and southeast 10 km. Movement remains north-northwest at
15kts. JKJ-CDR

**04:00 UTC:** Storm that was heading for TOGA has dissipated, but other
activity continues southeast and northwest of the radar. Strongest
storms were northwest of the radar at \~50 km with 45-50 dBz cores.
Other storms were developing to the Northwest beyond 75km and a large
area of storms was moving towards the radar from the southeast, but was
over 150 km away. JKJ

**04:25 UTC:** Switched back to KAMP_FAR. CDR

**05:50 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-Radar to set up dual-doppler scan
on KAMP_FAR. Most of the convection has weakened or moved out of area
that prompted calling everyone. However, another area is starting to
move in from the east with areas of 50-55 dBz reflectivity values. JKJ

**09:30 UTC:** Have been talking to Carrie off and on, he's at SMART-R
and has gotten all of our information in order to coordinate, but still
hasn't called to go dual yet. There's a nice cluster to the northeast
and also to the south-southwest, highest reflectivity between 50-55 dBZ.
Most are out of dual-doppler range. CDR

**12:16 UTC:** Mass of weather to our northwest has persisted for at
least three hours now, and although the general motion throughout the
entire area is toward the west, this storm system appears to be moving
closer toward us rather than away. Reflectivity values in this storm are
up to \~50dBz. There are also a few small cells closer in around the
30-50 km range. These cells have very small cores, and their max values
are \~45 dBz. It appears that some of these small cells are moving more
rapidly to the NW than the large cluster, and thus are being absorbed
into the large cluster. Perhaps this is what is making it look like the
large cluster is moving towards us. VAC

**12:30 UTC:** The velocity display on RTD shows that there are some
small areas of convergence within the large cluster of weather. These
areas of convergence coincide with the strongest reflectivity values
found within the system. VAC

**13:06 UTC:** TOGA and SMART-R (Guynes) begin coordinating NORTH_FAR
sector scans. There is a small cell that has just developed right north
of TOGA site that seems to be growing fast. Reflectivity values
currently max out at \~45dBz. VAC

**13:27 UTC:** SMART-R and TOGA switch to NORTH_NEAR sector scans
because TOGA is not seeing the tops of the cells. VAC

**13:30 UTC:** SMART-R switches back to NORTH_FAR because it was seeing
clear sky at 16deg. SMART-R also doing surveillance scans because it is
lapping TOGA on sector scans (TOGA has many more tilts). VAC

**13:41 UTC:** Tops of these cells close by are at 10 km and have max
reflectivity values up to \~45dBz. VAC

**14:25 UTC:** TOGA switches back to NORTH_FAR. SMART-R is having
problems with computer software, so we are no longer coordinating scans.
VAC

**14:33 UTC:** One cell is creeping into the east edge of the sector
scan at 60deg and 45 km range. Max reflectivity values are \~45dBz. VAC

**15:01 UTC:** Switch to KAMP_FAR scan. The large area of weather
present earlier this morning is still present, but now it is a large
stratiform area rather than a cellular structure. VAC

**15:22 UTC:** Switch to FULL_FAR scan. Lots of second trip in the
northwest quadrant. Small cells are beginning to pop to the east. VAC

**16:16 UTC:** A cell is forming to the south out about 20km with
reflectivity values up to 50-53dBz. A group of very small cells forming
in a line to the southeast basically along a radial at 135deg. We are
working on coordinating FULL_FAR scans with SMART-R. VAC

**16:38 UTC:** Started FULL_NEAR scans. The cells in to the southeast
have moved in close to us, so when the radar reaches its top tilt at
44deg the cell closest to us still has reflectivity up to 50dBz. VAC

**16:55 UTC:** It's raining outside. The cells to the southeast have
begun merging so that there are fewer, but larger cells now. Small cells
are popping all over Florida and the northeast quadrant. VAC

**17:22 UTC:** Rain has stopped. Ran a couple RHIs, but put bad angles
in them, so did not see anything interesting. VAC

**17:54 UTC:** The cells that began forming about an hour ago to the
northwest have started to merge and become much stronger (max values
\~55dBz). Second trip is prevalent in the southeast quadrant. VAC

**18:32 UTC:** There's stuff all over the place right now! The system to
the northwest has grown more and still has max values around 55dBz. The
velocity data shows tiny couplets of inbound and outbound values that
correspond with the some of the strongest portions of the system. Tops
on this system are above 15 km. VAC

**18:46 UTC:** Ran RHIs over this system from 280deg to 315deg. Found
cells with tops up to 14 km. VAC

**18:48 UTC:** Switched to KAMP_FAR. VAC

**19:25 UTC:** Did RHIs over same area. Cells are much weaker now, and
tops are less than 10 km throughout much of the area. VAC

**19:28 UTC:** Switched back to FULL_FAR. Data from FULL_FAR has a lot
more noise in it than that from KAMP_FAR because FULL_FAR uses PPP and
uses lower filters. KAMP_FAR uses random phase and higher filters. The
noise is such that it shouldn't be hard to edit it later manually
though. VAC

**19:51 UTC:** The system to the northwest is still present, though it
has moved further to the northwest and now is \~70 km away from the TOGA
site. Right now it seems to be splitting apart a bit, and as a result
there are separate reflectivity max's instead of the one big mass of
high reflectivity that existed earlier. This system has developed a tail
of high clouds that extends down to the south of the convective area.
Cells continue to form over Florida and then move offshore to the west.
VAC

**20:46 UTC:** The northwest system has broken apart, and all that is
left are a few small to medium sized cells with max reflectivity values
at about 45 dBz. This is down from the values we saw at 20:15, which
were up into the low 50's. There still are a few cells coming off of
Florida, though not as much as before. Further up the peninsula there
are some larger cells growing that have values up around 56 dBz.
However, these are out at a 200-300 km range from here. Motion continues
to be toward the west for all weather out there. VAC

**21:30 UTC:** Only a few small cells are left to the west over the
ocean. The majority of the activity is located over Florida and Cuba.
There is one cell 150 km out to the southwest that moved off of Cuba
recently, and another mass mostly stratiform in nature has moved into
the surveillance scan and currently is 250 km away. VAC

**22:27 UTC:** A cell has fired up to the north. This cell was born
around 2145, and now is still fairly small, but strong (values up to
\~48 dBz). Another small cell has developed to the southeast out about
70 km. VAC

**9-5-01**

**02:24 UTC:** Storms over Cuba have dissipated and have kicked an
outflow boundary that is moving north towards the Keys. Storms (max Z
values near 45 dBz) are developing along the boundary and are moving
north. Other storms are moving off the Florida peninsula into the
eastern GOM. JKJ

**06:30 UTC:** Widely scattered cells are starting to develop to the
southeast of the radar. Very small and are moving towards the northwest
at about 15kts. JKJ

**08:30 UTC:** A cell has fired to the east of the radar at about 50km.
Occasional lightning is seen out the window to the east with storm
motion northwest at about 15kts. Max reflectivity is around 45 dBz. JKJ

**11:00 UTC:** There is a large group of small cells Northwest of the
radar bunching up into one storm about 100 to 210km away. Reflectivity
values are in the18 to 50dBz range. There are also some small-scattered
cells to the Southeast of the radar. Reflectivity values are the same.
All cells are tracking Northwest, coming from the Southeast. NSD

**12:50 UTC:** The large area of weather to the northwest has persisted
and is now located between 150 and 250 km in range. This area has become
more stratiform in nature, but still has a few areas of higher
reflectivity values imbedded within the system. New cells are forming in
the northwest quadrant within a 100km range and moving toward the
northwest. The cores of these small cells have reflectivity values up to
50dBz. VAC

**13:13 UTC:** Rebooted IRIS and took a new noise sample. VAC

**14:15 UTC:** Small cells are popping all over. There are some to our
immediate northwest, one just to the southeast, and a few more small
ones to the south. The large area of stratiform precipitation is still
alive to the northwest at about a 200 km range. Another larger system
has formed to the northwest from cells that began forming and merging at
1145 in the northwest quadrant. This system is 100-150 km in range. A
line of cells is forming to the ESE that is oriented in a 60deg
direction. VAC

**14:56 UTC:** Conditions remain virtually the same, the only difference
is that the cells that were coming towards the radar are now over us.
There is a slight amount of rain falling. Reflectivity values remain the
same as does the northwesterly track. NSD

**15:35 UTC:** Lost the raw data for the FULL_FAR scans for the time
between the 1246 scan and the 1439 scan. The FULL_FAR products were not
saved into the CAMEX product scheduler, and were not rescheduled until
just a few minutes ago. The data before 1439 had already been kicked off
of the machine. VAC

**17:07 UTC:** Cells seem to be initialized over the Keys, develop and
move northwestward as if in the general SE to NW flow the passage of air
over land results in the triggering of the cells. Made an RHI product of
one of them with a 55dBz max at an azimuth of 286. JRL

**18:12 UTC:** The large cells just Northwest of the radar, have
dissipated just that quickly. They are now just remnants of what they
were, about 75 to 150km away from the radar in all directions.
Reflectivity values are still in the 18 to 50 dBz range, and the track
is still to the Northwest. NSD

**19:10 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report. NSD

**20:15 UTC:** Now, all the scattered cells that were in the 75 to 150km
range have virtually dissipated. There is only one small cell to the
Northwest, about 100km away, that is still present. The reflectivity
remains the same as the last entry. More cells are forming over Cuba,
and the last large cells over Florida are steadily moving north away
from the radar. Other than that, there is no significant activity in our
area. NSD

**21:30 UTC:** The cells that have formed over Cuba are now making their
way towards the radar. They are about 75 to 150km away from the radar.
Reflectivity values are in the 2 to 37 dBz range. The track has turned
more North by Northwest, as opposed to just Northwest. NSD

**22:40 UTC:** There is a strong cell that has developed right off of
Key West, about 40km to the West of the radar. Have coordinated with
SMART-R, and am now running the NORTH_NEAR, and SURV_NEAR scans.
Reflectivity values are in the 12 to 55 dBz range, and the storm is
tracking West. Shall remain in the near mode until further notice. NSD

09-06-01

**00:10 UTC:** Switched tapes and coordinated with SMART-R to reschedule
tasks so they are running nearly at the same times. Still running
NORTH_NEAR and SURV_NEAR scans. One good storm northeast of the radar
with reflectivity values around 45 dBz, but all other convection has
dissipated close to the radar. Other strong storms were located over the
northern coast of Cuba and were moving out over the ocean. JKJ

**01:45 UTC:** Convection in the NORTH_NEAR sector scan has dissipated.
New storms developing to the east and southeast of the radar.
Coordinated with SMART-R to place SMART-R into standby and switch TOGA
into FULL_FAR and SURV_FAR. Other storms outside of 100km to the
southeast of the radar and storms due south at about 100 km. Strongest
reflectivity values at 50 dBz. JKJ

**02:10 UTC:** New convection is developing northeast of the radar along
the Keys. Coordinated with SMART-R to start volume scans at the same
time. Still running FULL_FAR and SURV_FAR. Max reflectivity values on
storms northeast of radar \~50 dBz and movement is to the northwest at
about 15kts. JKJ

**02:55 UTC:** Had to switch the radar to FULL_NEAR because strongest
storms had tops above highest tilt. Coordinated with SMART-R to set up
the volume scan times. Strong storm located within 30 km to the
southeast of TOGA with occasional LTG seen out the window. Reflectivity
values at the surface are near 45 dBz with 55dBz aloft. Other strong
storms located northeast of the radar with max reflectivity values near
55 dBz. JKJ

**03:11 UTC:** New storm developing right on top of the radar. JKJ

**04:00 UTC:** Radar stopped with an "Error from call to DSPREAD" at
03:58. Attempted to restart the volume scan but forgot to check the "GO"
light on the signal processor. I halted the volume scan after realizing
that no data was being collected. Nathan had to turn off the processor
and then back on to get it to reset. Ran FULL_NEAR to test and make sure
that it was running O.K. JKJ

**04:20 UTC:** Radar is back up and operational. Restarted with FULL_FAR
and SURV_FAR since there were no returns at the highest tilts in the
NEAR volume scans. Strongest storms were located southwest of the radar
between 50 and 100 km. Highest reflectivity values were around 45 dBz.
JKJ

**06:30 UTC:** Most of the activity has moved off to the northwest from
the Keys. A good convective cell was located northwest of the radar
around 25-40 km. Reflectivity values range from 30-50 dBz. Storm is in a
good location for dual-doppler work. New activity is trying to develop
to the southeast of the Keys around 75-100 km away with reflectivity
values from 40-45 dBz. JKJ

**06:55 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R to set up the NORTH_NEAR scan
for activity northeast of the radar. Other storms continue to move
towards the Keys from the southeast. Strongest echo was located
northwest of the radar at about 50 km with reflectivity values near 50
dBz. JKJ

**08:55 UTC:** Activity of interest has moved out of area, while new
activity is trying to develop to the southeast of the radar. Other
storms are also trying to develop to the southwest of TOGA, but
reflectivity values remain low and storms are very isolated. JKJ

**09:55 UTC:** Widely scattered storms still moving towards the Keys
from the southeast. Other storms trying to develop due south of radar.
JKJ

**10:30 UTC:** New cell developed just northeast of the radar site.
Occasional lightning seen outside window. Movement was northwest at
about 15kts with maximum reflectivity values around 40 dBz. JKJ

**11:26 UTC:** New cells have popped up in a line to the north. The main
part of this line extends up to the north about 25 km. A second leg
extends off the bottom of the first leg toward the east about 15km.
Doing NORTH_NEAR sector scans with SMART-R. VAC

**12:20 UTC:** Switched to FULL_NEAR. Not coordinated with SMART-R right
now. VAC

**13:04 UTC:** Coordinating with SMART-R on FULL_NEAR scans. There are
little cells popping all around mostly to the southeast and northwest,
but nothing is very large right now. The line we were watching earlier
has pretty much dissipated. VAC

**13:46 UTC:** Coordinating with SMART-R on FULL_FAR scans. VAC

**14:04 UTC:** Line of storms has formed off to the northwest, but most
of it is out of range for dual doppler. However, some new convection is
firing on the southern end of the line, so perhaps there will be some
activity closer in soon. A few clusters have developed to the southeast,
but these aren't very tall yet (\~8km) and have max reflectivity values
up around 42-45 dBz. VAC

**15:00 UTC:** Begin FULL_NEAR scans with SMART-R. Changed the speed
from 14 deg/s to 15 deg/s which decrease running time by \~30 sec. This
allowed us to change the repeat time to 8 min from 9 min. VAC

**15:23 UTC:** A line has formed to the southeast of the line from
earlier, and is well within the doppler lobes (50-100 km range from
TOGA). This line is oriented in the same direction as the first line,
and there is a small cell forming in between the ends of the two lines
-- perhaps these two lines will join up into one long line. Max
reflectivity values are \~56 dBz. A third cluster of cells has formed to
the southeast of the second line, and is within 30 km of TOGA site,
toward the northwest. A fourth area of interest is directly to the west,
where there is a cluster of cells that was born about 30 min ago, but
already has reflectivity values up around 48dBz. The only quadrant that
is semi quiet right now is the southeast quadrant. Otherwise, things are
very active and moving to the northwest. VAC

**16:21 UTC:** The storm is putting out some good lightning to the north
of here. The two southernmost lines are beginning to join up at their
northern most tips to form a horseshoe around TOGA with its open end
toward the southeast. Max reflectivity values are found in the round
part of the horseshoe where the two lines met (\~58dBz). VAC

**17:01 UTC:** Begin coordinating NORTH_NEAR with SMART-R. Most of the
activity is to the northeast right now. System has changed from a
horseshoe shape to more of a big blob. This system is occupying most of
the northern lobe (yahoooo!) and does not appear to be dissipating any
time soon. Max reflectivity values are up to \~52 dBz. VAC

**18:12 UTC:** Almost entire northwest quadrant covered. The strongest
cores are out about 100 km and have max reflectivity values of 54 dBz.
To the north there are a few more areas of high reflectivity a little
closer in. Otherwise, most of the northwest quadrant is covered with
stratiform precipitation. VAC

**21:13 UTC:** Most activity has moved out to the 75km range and turned
stratiform. VAC

**22:08 UTC:** Stopped coordinating with SMART-R. Things have quieted
down a lot. There is a little action to the north, but all else is
quiet. VAC

09-07-2001

**00:00 UTC:** The radar screen is almost completely void of weather
echoes. Some noise and second trip echoes dominate the lowest few tilts
of the FULL_FAR task however. KLM

**02:00 UTC:** Some isolated cells have begun to fire up over the last
half hour east and southeast of the Keys between 50 and 150 km out. The
cells are moving generally to the west. KLM

**04:00 UTC:** Isolated cells dominate the eastern and southern portions
of the radar screen. No significant convection to report. The isolated
cells are moving to the west-northwest. KLM

**06:00 UTC:** Isolated cells continue to fire in the southern and
western portions of the area as well as over the Keys. Movement of the
cells is to the northwest. KLM

**06:05 UTC:** XPOL was called up due to numerous small cells within 60
km of the XPOL radar site.

**08:00 UTC:** Scattered showers continue across the region. Cells
continue to move off to the northwest. KLM

**10:00 UTC:** Scattered showers continue across the region. The
strongest cells are to the northwest and northeast. Movement is nearly
due north now. KLM

**11:44 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report at this time. NSD

**13:15 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report at this time. NSD

**14:15 UTC:** There is a large stratiform rain region to the west and
Southwest of Tampa. This region is beginning to dissipate. Also, the
northwest quadrant has convective elements developing and clustering
together at ranges 50-100km. At this time, decisions are being made on
what area to fly the aircraft. DRJ

**16:00 UTC:** The stratiform region near Tampa has dissipated. The
convective elements that formed the cluster towards the northwest still
exists. There is also a line of cells developing to the east moving to
the north. This line is parallel to the Keys. Coordination with SMART-R
began \~1550 UTC with a FULL_FAR task. DRJ

**17:05 UTC:** The stratiform rain region is still persisting to the
northwest at 70km range. The line to the east of the radar has broken up
and only a few isolated cells remain. Elsewhere, convection is
developing over a wide region and is organizing into larger clusters to
the south and north near 50km range. DRJ

**18:28 UTC:** The stratiform rain region is still persisting at 70km
range towards the northwest. The aircraft have decided to fly echoes
over the Gulf of Mexico, outside the range of TOGA. A line of convective
showers has developed over Key West and the line is expanding to the
east. Elsewhere, convective cells are developing over a widespread area.
DRJ

**19:32 UTC:** Most of the convective activity is dissipating. All that
really remains are weak stratiform regions. The line to the west of TOGA
is also dissipating rapidly. Some coordination was done with X-POL doing
RHIs. DRJ

**21:15 UTC:** Now there is only one cell directly West of Key West. The
rest of the convection that was present this morning has dissipated with
the exception of the large storm over the Florida Peninsula. There are
also small cells forming over Cuba. The cell next to Key West is about
50 to 65km away from the island. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 50
dBz range for everything within the radar's range. All cells seem to be
standing still, which is rather peculiar, although I believe that
everything is tracking north. NSD

**21:57 UTC:** Shutdown for generator maintenance. Since there is no
weather to speak of in the immediate vacinity. NSD

**23:16 UTC:** System brought back up. Generator maintenance performed.
No problems. NSD

09-08-2001

**01:37 UTC:** A fairly quiet evening with most convective activity
confined to the region

beyond the 100 km range ring from the TOGA radar. One very small cell of
around 20dBz was observed just east of the radar site. DSS

**03:54 UTC:** Within the past half-hour an isolated cell developed just
to the east of Key

West and moved west. Some other cells with intensities to 45 dBz are
located both SE

and NW of the radar at distances of 60 km and beyond. Most of this
activity is moving

slowly to the NW. DSS

**04:54 UTC:** The activity over Key West rapidly diminished, as has
much of the activity

within 100 km. The most impressive convection is located about 140 km
west of the radar and is displaying a slow northward movement. DSS

**06:18 UTC:** There is a continued lack of activity within 50 km of the
radar site. A couple

of stronger cells to 45dBz are found about 60 km NW of TOGA and about 55
km NE of

the radar. The more widespread convection about 140 km west of the radar
has diminished in intensity. DSS

**07:28 UTC:** Most of the activity is now confined to the NW quadrant
with isolated cells to 45dBz at distances exceeding 30 km from the radar
and moving generally northwestward. DSS

**08:43 UTC:** There is a slight intensification in convective activity
to the southeast of the radar but at distances exceeding 100 km. The
convective area to the NW of the radar has become more elongated and
cells have weakened over the last hour. DSS

**09:55 UTC:** A cluster of cells remains to the west of the radar site
with a second weaker area to the north. Both regions of echo are 50 km
from the radar with isolated maximum

reflectivity values of 45 dBz. DSS

**15:24 UTC:** There are three cells to the west and northwest of us
with total diameters of about 50Km at a range of 50 to 100 km with
maximum dBz of 50. This area has been busy since we arrived at 11Z. JRL

**16:06 UTC:** Two cells with diameters of 5 to 10 km have been
developing at a range of 20 to 25 km north of us with a max dBz of
45.The activity mentioned above to the west and northwest in the 50 to
100km range continues. JRL

**17:47 UTC:** Convective activity to the west and northwest at a range
of 50 to 100km has weakened considerably. A new cell with a 20km radius
has developed north of us at a range of 35 to 50km. Convective activity
has picked up over the Florida Peninsula especially near Fort
Lauderdale. JRL

**18:09 UTC:** A new cell has developed about 10 to the Northwest of us.
It has a diameter of 5 to 10 km. The maximum dBz is 50. There are two
additional cells of similar size just to the northwest of Sugar Loaf
key. JRL

**18:32 UTC:** We coordinated dual Doppler with X-pole using North_Near
scanning from 265 to 60 on the cell developing to the northwest of us
and to the northeast of X-pole. The cell has a 55dBz max. JRL

**19:08 UTC:** Another bigger cell growing moved in from the SW into the
prime dual Doppler region between TOGA and X-pole. We started repeats of
dual Doppler between TOGA and X-Pole. JRL

**20:32 UTC:** The cell described above has dissipated while another,
not as large, developed to the northeast and also dissipated. Convection
has developed over Florida Bay closer to the mainland. There is also
large-scale convection off to the west at 100km moving in toward us. We
went back to the earlier routine of SURV_FAR, RHI_XXX_150 and FULL_FAR.
We changed the RHI to an azimuth of 75 to look at the convection in
Florida Bay. JRL

**23:02 UTC:** Convection has been developing on the Florida peninsula.
A rain band developed closer towards the southeast and then dissipated.
JRL

**00:08 UTC:** New storm trying to develop northeast of the radar at
about 100 km with max reflectivity values around 55 dBz and lightning
can be seen out the window. Other storms located south of the radar at
50 km with max reflectivity values around 50 dBz. JKJ

**01:14 UTC:** Called SMART-R and XPOL to let them know about storms
that were rapidly developing within 50 km north and south of the radars.
Both parties said that they would call back to let us know if they were
going operational. Strongest storm was located \~ 25 km NW of the TOGA
radar with reflectivity values around 50 dBZ. Other storms were located
south of the radar with maximum reflectivity values near 45 dBz. Storms
were holding together and moving generally toward the south at about 10
knots. JKJ

**01:27 UTC:** Switched scans to FULL_NEAR and SURV_NEAR since radar was
still not seeing the tops of the storms. JKJ

**02:44 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R to set up dual-doppler scans
with the FULL_NEAR and SURV_NEAR sweeps. Strongest storms were located
over the SMART-R site with reflectivity values around 50 dBz and
movement slowly to the east. Other storms were weakening between the
TOGA and SMART radars, with more storms developing about 70 km to the
northwest and southeast of the radar. JKJ

**03:45 UTC:** Strongest activity has developed about 30 km south of
SMART-R (40 Southwest of TOGA) and continues to move south at about
15kts. Maximum reflectivity values are around 40 dBz. Other activity is
developing about 75km west-northwest of TOGA with reflectivity around 55
dBz but is moving outside of dual-doppler range. Overall activity is
showing a general decreasing trend. JKJ

**04:53 UTC:** Light rain is falling at the TOGA radar site. Almost all
convective activity has dissipated into stratiform rain within 75 km
from the radar. Other convective cells with reflectivity values near 40
dBz are west-southwest of the radar at almost 100km. JKJ

**05:18 UTC:** Called SMART-R to see how long they wanted to continue to
run. General consensus was that we would wait until the last echoes move
beyond 75 km from SMART-R or the storms move into the beam blockage area
caused by the cab of the truck. General trend for activity within 100 km
continues to be downward. Strongest cells (45 dBz) were still over 100
km away from the radar to the south-southwest. JKJ

**05:34 UTC:** Switched TOGA to FULL_FAR and SURV_FAR. Most
precipitation in dual-doppler lobes has completely dissipated, and
strongest echoes were beyond 100 km (still). JKJ

**06:34 UTC:** General trend continues to show decrease in intensity
ALQDS. Strongest storms were south of the radar at 100km moving north at
about 15kts. JKJ

**08:34 UTC:** New showers trying to develop to the east of the radar
site over 100 km away. Otherwise, mostly spotty light showers. JKJ

**09:35 UTC:** More showers developing 150 km to the east of the radar
site. Other storms were developing to the south and east of the radar
but were small and light. JKJ

**10:48 UTC:** Some activity trying to develop north of the Keys about
halfway to the FL mainland. Other activity was trying to develop
southeast of the radar about 100 km out. JKJ.

**13:31 UTC:** A band of convection has been persistent to the NE along
the coast of mainland Florida. Most of the activity has been beyond 50
km from TOGA. There is presently no significant activity in the Keys.
The aircraft are scheduled to be in the area after 16 UTC. PAK

**14:40 UTC:** Talked to Jerry at SMART-R. We are going to reconfigure
the system for 2 min repeats in a narrow sector and for 4 min repeats
for the far sector and 5 min repeats for the near sector. The convection
continues to be focused to the N-NE, but is moving closer during the
past hour. PAK

**16:23 UTC:** The P3 and DC-8 took off at noon to come to make a
coordinated fly over of the MIPS site. At the moment there is little
convection close in. There is significant convection north of 25N and
between 81 and 82W.

**16:58 UTC:** P3 Passed overhead. No convection over us. Indications
have the aircraft moving north to intercept a line of convection
centered 75 km due north of TOGA. The line is moving NNE about 20 km/hr.
Max dBZ=50 dBZ. Another stronger line is moving SE'ward and is
approaching the line moving NE'ward. PAK

**17:40 UTC:** SMART-R and TOGA was out of synch from 1720-1740. We are
back in Synch. Not much activity in DD lobe. Most of the convection is
to the NE near the Florida coast. The planes are working the system near
the coast. PAK.

**19:26 UTC:** A large area of convection persists to our NW at 81 35',
25 35', which is about 75 km to our NW. There is a leading line of
convection orientated W-E on the southern edge, with a broad area of
stratiform and embedded convection to the north side of the system. The
aircraft (DC8 and P3) are working the system located at the coordinates
above. Maximum reflectivity exceeds 50 dBZ in a few convective cores.
The system has remained north of the keys in the same general area for
the past 3 hours. The general movement is easterly. PAK

**21:16 UTC:** A large cell near due west moved westward just north of
the Keys (within 10 to 20 km). At 20:50 we shifted from NORTH_FAR to
NORTH_NEAR. We are doing dual Doppler with SMART-R and X-POLE is doing
sector scans over the cell trying to synch with us collecting in the
polarimetric mode.

**22:00 UTC:** The strong cell that was to the West has moved over us.
Raining hard at the site. (started about 1 min ago.). The strongest
portion of the cell is about 5 km north of us with max reflectivity \>
55 dBZ. Nice outflow boundary reaches us about 10 min before. A broad
region of stratiform follows the convection to the west for about 75km.
XPOL was hit hard. He mentioned that the signal was completely
attenuated in the direction of the core, even polarimetric. PAK

**23:44 UTC:** New convective complex moving in from the west at \~100
km away from TOGA. Still running NORTH_NEAR and SURV_NEAR to stay in
sync with SMART-RADAR. Will have to call after changing the tapes over.
JKJ

**00:14 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R to continue the NORTH_NEAR and
SURV_FAR scans. Strongest storms were located to the west of TOGA at
around 100 km with maximum reflectivity values at \~55 dBz. Storms
continued to move to the east at about 15kts. JKJ

**01:15 UTC:** Convective cluster west of the radars continues to move
to the east towards us. Reflectivity values have dropped somewhat down
to 45 dBz on average. There is a leading edge of convection with a large
area of stratiform rain behind it. Otherwise, most of the activity from
earlier in the day has moved beyond 100 km to the east. JKJ

**01:40 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R. Sounded like scans were off by
about 15 seconds. Decided to let it be as convective activity was moving
into dual-doppler north lobe. Line of convection was moving towards the
keys at about 15kts, with maximum reflectivity values near 50 dBz.
Strongest storm was moving straight for the Keys. JKJ

**02:35 UTC:** Leading edge of storms (50 dBz) has reached Key West.
Lightning activity dropped from frequent IC to nothing within about 10
minutes. Strongest portion of the storm was north of the island itself.
Movement continues to be towards the east-northeast at 15kts. JKJ

**03:24 UTC:** New convective activity developing north of the area
closest to the radar and is within the dual-doppler lobe. Highest
reflectivity values in new convection are 55dBz with movement now east
at about 15kts. However, reflectivity values have been decreasing
overall. JKJ

**03:50 UTC:** Activity in north dual-doppler lobe has totally
dissipated. SMART-R called, and decision was made to switch to FULL_FAR
and SURV_FAR. Strongest activity was southwest of TOGA at \~100 km with
reflectivity around 45 dBz. General trend continues to be decrease in
intensity. JKJ

**05:15 UTC:** Most activity now around 100 km south of TOGA. Other
strong storms were located on the western coast of Florida near Tampa
Bay. Also appears that there is a low-pressure system located northwest
of the Keys based on the movement of the echoes. JKJ

**06:30 UTC:** A line of storms has developed starting about 30 miles
southeast of TOGA and extending southwest from there. The most intense
echoes are located on the northern end of the line (\~ 50-55 dBz) with
the reflectivity values in the line itself around 30-40 dBz. JKJ

**07:30 UTC:** Line of storms continues to move towards the east at
about 10-15 knots. Reflectivity values in the line are dropping, while
the northern end of the line continues to have reflectivity values near
55 dBz. The north end is also starting to move more towards the
northeast at 15 knots. JKJ

**08:30 UTC:** Convective line has pretty much dissipated. Northern end
continues to move northeast at about 15 knots with strongest
reflectivity values northeast of the radar at 40 km. JKJ

**10:30 UTC:** Only stuff on radar was well to the northwest around 150
km and slowly moving south, with another area of light to moderate rain
moving onto the southern tip of Florida. JKJ

**12:07 UTC:** The large cell that was over Florida is now moving to the
Southwest. It is still about 125km Northwest of the radar. The wind
seems to have reversed direction. Now it is blowing out of the
Northwest, pushing everything to the Southeast. Reflectivity values
remain the same, in the 18 to 50dBz range. NSD

**13:09 UTC:** The large cell mentioned before has moved slightly closer
in the last hour, all other conditions remain exactly the same. No other
significant facts to report. NSD

**14:11 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing new to report. NSD

**15:13 UTC:** Convection to the northwest is moving ESE. Cells aligned
60/240 degrees have developed along the broad area of convection. Two
cells within dual Doppler range formed out in front of the aligned
cells. JRL

**16:11 UTC:** The convection to the Northwest is now about 50km away
from the radar. There is a huge wall of convection coming straight for
us. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 50dBz range. All convection is
still tracking East-Southeast. NSD

**17:18 UTC:** The wall of convection consists of numerous merged cells
in the middle with new cells developing at both ends of the line from 70
kilometers west of the Dry Tortugas all the way to north of Fort
Lauderdale.

**17:44 UTC:** The line is about on us. The movie of SURVEY_FAR ending
17:35 shows that the cells are diminishing in strength all along the
line.

**18:47 UTC:** The convective cell is upon us now. The gust front came
through, but, the wind is still blowing pretty well here. Reflectivity
values remain the same, (18 to 50dBz), as does the track (SSE). We did
some coordinated RHIs with SMART_R and now have resumed the NORTH_NEAR,
and the SURV_FAR scans. NSD

**19:32 UTC:** The storm is almost half way through now. Conditions
remain the same. We have been doing an RHI, (over MIPS), in place of the
SURV_FAR scan, and have been coordinated with SMART_R the whole time.
NSD

**20:32 UTC:** The storm has passed over us and broken up. Scattered
cells remain in the Southwest and the Southeast. There is also a large
cell directly West of us. Reflectivity remains the same, as does the
track. We have switched back to the NORTH_FAR, and are running in
conjunction with SMART_R. NSD

**21:32 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, except that the large cell
directly West of us is now tracking East. There is a general
counterclockwise circulation in the rainfall pattern centered about 50
km west of Fort Meyers. The NWS at Key West in the hurricane report has
been saying conditions are favorable for development off the
central-west coast of Florida despite the proximity of the low to land.
NSD/JRL

**22:32 UTC:** The large cell is breaking up now, splitting into
scattered large and small cells. The largest of the cells is about 150
to 200km away from the radar directly East of Miami. There is a small
gust front Northwest of Key West, and the remainder of the cell is
Southwest of the Keys. Also there are small cells forming over Cuba.
Reflectivity values are still the same, and the track is still East,
with parts heading Northeast. The whole mass is swirling from Northwest
to Northeast. NSD

**00:05 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-Radar to set up the FULL_FAR scan
only. New cells are developing to the south of TOGA and a line is also
starting to form extending south of the radar. Maximum reflectivity
values have been near 50dBz with occasional 55 dBz echoes. JKJ

**01:20 UTC:** Storm that was south of TOGA has dissipated while a
convective line (average reflectivity values near 50 dBz) has formed to
the east of TOGA. This line extended from the western Gulf Coast of
Florida down to around Marathon Key, and off to the southeast. The line
is moving east at about 15kts, with the stronger storms in the line
segment trying to move northeast. Other echoes are starting to move into
the western edge of the lowest tilt. JKJ

**02:25 UTC:** Convective line has started to dissipate some with
stratiform rain region developing behind it to the west. Other activity
is moving inside the 150km range to the northwest of the radar.
Otherwise, nothing of much interest was going on close to TOGA. JKJ

**03:00 UTC:** New convective development is occurring about 50 km north
of TOGA. Line of storms is oriented southwest northeast with
reflectivity values around 40-45 dBz. Movement was to the north at about
15kts. JKJ

**04:13 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-Radar to run NORTH_FAR and
SURV_FAR scans. All rain activity in southern areas has dissipated and
most precipitation was now located in the northeastern portion of the
sector scan. Reflectivity values were near 45 dBz and movement was
north. Other convective activity was about 200 km to the northwest of
the radar and was slowly drifting towards the southeast. JKJ

**06:30 UTC:** New convective activity trying to develop to the west of
the radar between 100 -- 150 km. Movement was northeast. Also, could see
indications of low-pressure center to the northwest of the radar (over
300 km away) based on the motion of the storms. JKJ

**07:30 UTC:** Storms haven't held together as they move towards TOGA.
Strongest storms were still over 100 km away. JKJ

**08:30 UTC:** Most activity has remained to the west of TOGA around
100km. Overall, activity has been slowly moving towards the Keys.
Strongest returns remain near 45dBz with occasional 50dBz showing up.
JKJ

**10:00 UTC:** No major changes. JKJ

**11:43 UTC:** The rain band that has been 100km Northwest of the radar
has moved to about 50km, and has formed a gust front. Reflectivity
values are in the 18 to 53dBz range, and the winds are in a circular
pattern going from Southwest to Northeast and back again. NSD

**12:48 UTC:** We have started coordinating scans with SMART_R. TOGA
will be doing a NORTH_FAR, and SURV_FAR. SMART_R will be doing a
NORTH_NEAR, and A SURV_NEAR. The reason for the different scans is
because the rain band is closer to SMART_R than it is to TOGA.
Reflectivity values remain the same, as do the wind patterns. The cell
has moved to just within 50km of TOGA, but, the tops of the clouds
disappear right at 17.2 degrees, thus the reason for the far scan. NSD

**13:49 UTC:** The rain band hasn't moved in the last hour, it is still
50km West of the radar. Reflectivity values are still the same, although
the height of the clouds has changed. We are still running the same scan
strategy, and coordinating with SMART_R. The only thing that has
changed, is the Azimuth for the NORTH_FAR is now 240 to 45 degrees. It
was changed because of the position of the storm. The wind conditions
haven't changed either. The low-pressure center to the general
circulation in the area is to our NW. We made a cross-section
perpendicular to the SW-NE line of rain. Looking at the velocities the
winds, they were from SE to NW at the bottom of the "rain-band" and NW
to SE at the top of the band, circulation on a small scale like that in
hurricane, "in a the bottom out at the top". NSD/JRL

**14:47 UTC:** The "rain-band" remains in about the same position but
the peak in convection has moved southwestward along the band. It
appears as if a new band maybe developing just inside the old one. The
alignment is more SSW to NNE and intersects the outer band at the region
of most intense convection. This characteristic seems similar to what
happens to the eye-wall of a hurricane. JRL

**15:48 UTC:** The convection has shifted to the new band, in the
Northwest. Reflectivity values remain the same, in the 18 to 53 dBz
range. The wind patterns, and general circulation, also remain the same.
The convection remains 50km away from the radar, directly West. NSD

**16:45 UTC:** We undertook to make a series of RHI_XXX_150 scans from
245 to 360 every 5 degrees. The purpose was to check the wind fields in
the "rain-bands". The outer band was essentially gone and the inner band
was barely within our range. From 245 to 280 the winds were towards us
on the bottom and away from us on the top. At 280 it was close to
neutral. From 285 to 360 the winds were outward from us on the bottom
and inward towards us on the top. We resumed the NORTH_FAR and
SURVEY_FAR scans back in synch with SMART_R but they shut down because
of the breaking news story about terrorist attacks at the Twin Towers in
NYC. NSD/JRL

**18:17 UTC:** TOGA is the only radar still operating at this point,
because of the attacks in New York, and Washington D.C., so we have
decided to revise our scanning strategy. We will now run a SURV_FAR, a
RHI, and a NORTH_FAR, on a 10-min. schedule. We are waiting to see if
the times were set up correctly. As far as the weather is concerned,
conditions have changed slightly. The whole mass of convection has moved
back out to 100km away, with reflectivity values, and general
circulation, remaining the same as well. NSD

**19:40 UTC:** The other rain bands that we have been seeing all day
have started to break up and move away from the radar. There is a new
band forming right on top of us. Stretching all the way from the
Whitewater bay area of Florida, down to Cuba. The reflectivity values
seem to be remaining constant, (18 to 53dBz) and have throughout the
day. The wind patterns and the general circulation has remained the same
all day as well. NSD

**20:35 UTC:** The rain band is right on top of us right now. We have
changed our scans to reflect what the radar is seeing. We are now
running: SURV_FAR, and NORTH_FAR. Reflectivity values and general
circulation remain the same. We are now coordinating with the SMART_R
again. NSD

**21:35 UTC:** The "rain-band" that was on top of us is less clearly
defined. The overall center of the general circulation still seems to be
centered off the coast of Florida from Fort Meyers. The circulation
across the peninsula, over us, over the ocean east of Miami and south of
us is toward the center. The circulation to the northwest of us outside
150 km is away from us. The National Hurricane Center put the center of
what is now TD-8 at 25.5N 84.2W which is 290 km WNW of us. It looks to
me from the radar that the center is about 170km WNW of us. JRL

**22:56 UTC:** A rain-band developed over a 20 to30 minute period in
between the SMART_R and TOGA. It is aligned NNW or along a heading of
340 and is at least 200km long.

**23:25 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R to set up the NORTH_NEAR and
SURV_NEAR scans. Strong convection was moving along the Keys towards
TOGA. Maximum reflectivity. JKJ

**00:11 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R to set up the NORTH_FAR and
SURV_FAR sweeps after switching the tapes out on TOGA. Strongest
activity appears to be around 50 km to the northwest of TOGA, and also
to the due west. Movement continues to be more towards the north at
about 15kts. JKJ

**01:36 UTC:** New convective cells getting ready to move over the TOGA
radar. Wind has picked up at the site to near 14m s-1 according to the
radar. Also, strongest storm is getting ready to move right over the
radar site itself. Storm was moving towards the Northwest at about 15kts
with lightning observed over the site. I couldn't get ahold of SMART-R
to see about changing scans. JKJ

**02:22 UTC:** Storms have moved to the north of the radar. There is new
convection developing to the northwest of the old convection. It appears
that this is part of a convective band into the tropical depression. JKJ

**04:20 UTC:** Most of the strong convective activity has dissipated
leaving behind only scattered areas of stratiform precip. Strongest
returns were outside of 100km range from the radar. JKJ

**05:30 UTC:** New convection starting to develop off to the west of the
Keys at about 100 km, but is moving north. JKJ

**06:30 UTC:** No change. JKJ

**08:30 UTC:** New convection is firing to the W and NW of the radar.
Most of the activity is moving north. JKJ

**10:00 UTC:** More convection developing now to the southeast of TOGA.
Strongest storms however were still to the NW at about 150 -- 200 km.
Movement of all the storms was to the northwest. Looks like bands are
starting to form with the circulation well off to the NW. JKJ

**10:50 UTC:** Coordinated with SMART-R to run a FULL_FAR scan and a
SURV_FAR sweep to catch the new activity developing to the southeast of
the Keys. JKJ

**12:05 UTC:** The convective activity continues to the southeast. To
the northwest and west, beyond 150 km, bands of convection are present
moving to the north and northwest. To the northeast, convective activity
is also present moving to the north. DRJ

**13:07 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to
report. NSD

**14:25 UTC:** There is nothing to report except the development of a
new rain band about 100km Southeast of the radar and tracking directly
North. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 50dBz range. Other than
that, conditions remain the same. On another note, coordination with
SMART_R has stopped due to the wish of the Texas A&M staff. They will be
leaving the area to try and arrive at the speculated location of the
current tropical depression (#8). They predict it to turn into a
hurricane and land somewhere near the Tallahassee area. NSD

**15:37 UTC:** There are two main precipitation areas. To the west and
northwest, a large region of stratiform rain with embedded convection is
present. The convective elements are moving to the north, but the
stratiform region seems to be drifting to the east. To the east of the
radar, a large area of precipitation is present. The side closest to the
radar has two main convective bands, one oriented north-south, while the
other is oriented east-west. To the east of the bands is a large area of
stratiform rain. This area of precipitation is moving towards the north.
DRJ

**18:29 UTC:** Stopped scanning temporarily to perform Solar-cal and
Zauto. NSD

**19:05 UTC:** Did Solar-cal, and Zauto, numbers have been recorded in
Maint. Log book. Now there are very large cells to the Northeast of the
radar. From right on top of us all the way out to 150km away. There is
also a very large cell directly West of the radar about 150 to 300km
away. This is the cell that the SMART_R is hoping to catch in
Tallahassee. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 55dBz range. All
storms are tracking North by Northwest. NSD

**20:27 UTC:** The two very large cells are now coming together. One is
right over the Florida Peninsula and the other over the Gulf of Mexico.
They are both about 150 to 300km away from the radar. There are also
three large rain bands forming, one is 150km Southwest of the radar, and
the other two are 100 to 200km away. One is directly South of the radar,
over Cuba, and the other is directly East of the radar. Reflectivity
values are in the 18 to 55dBz range and all storms are tracking North by
Northwest. NSD

**21:27 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report at this time. It seems that some RAW data has been lost. I
discovered that the FULL_NEAR scan had been inadvertently taken out of
the Product Scheduler in IRIS. As a result both tapes have a block of
missing FULL_NEAR scans. Times of the missing scans are from 19:37:37
UTC to 20:50:00 UTC. I have remedied the situation and have been
successful in recovering the remaining FULL_NEAR scans that were left in
the ingest files. Now all RAW data is once again going to both Exabyte
Tapes. NSD

**09-12-2001**

**01:12 UTC**

The bow echo to the west of us is moving towards and is spreading out.
It no longer is a sharply defined line with peak reflectivity values in
the low 50dBZ range instead of the higher 50dBZ's that we saw earlier. I
am scheduling, as many rhi's as possible to target the high reflectivity
cores of the echo. LNG

**02:00 UTC**

The echo has passed us now and is continuing to move to the northwest.
We have had a light rain here at TOGA. LNG

**02:17 UTC**

We saw an interesting band of 56dBZ rain between 11 and 23 degrees
azimuth, at a range of about 35km. LNG

**03:00 UTC**

Echo is moving northwest still and is about 50-60 km away. LNG

**03:20 UTC**

Echo has ceased to be a line and has turned into broad stratiform rain
in the upper 20dBZ level. There are not that many high reflectivity
cores left so I am not going to do any more rhi's unless some more
occur. LNG

**03:47 UTC**

There appears to be two rain bands forming. One is to the east at a
range of about 100-200km at an azimuth of 80-90 degrees. The second one
is at a range of 120km with an azimuthal angle of 340-30 degrees. There
is also another bow echo forming to the west of us at a range of
160-180km. When it gets closer, we'll start doing rhi's on it. LNG

**05:00 UTC**

All of the rain patterns mentioned above are still there, but moving
slightly north. They are still to far out of range to do rhi's, and seem
to be slowly weakening. LNG

**07:20 UTC**

Part of the rain to the west of us is moving towards us, while the rest
continues to off to the north. LNG

**08:00 UTC**

Two small cells are developing out of the SSE and heading towards us.
LNG

**08:40 UTC**

It's raining here at TOGA with alternating periods of heavy and light
rain. The second cell coming out of the SSE is growing bigger and
strengthening with peak reflectivity values of 54 dBZ. LNG

**10:07 UTC**

Another bow echo appears to be forming to the west of us at
approximately 140-170km range. This one is just about in the same place
as the one earlier tonight.

**12:35 UTC:** The large tropical depression is still directly West of
the radar only, it has moved to within 50km of here. Also there is a
large cell directly North of the radar. This one is also within 50km of
us too. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 53dBz range. The whole mass
is tracking Northeast, so I believe that it will pass directly over us
sometime today. NSD

**13:35 UTC:** The large cell has moved to within 25km of the radar now,
other than that, all conditions remain the same. No other significant
changes to report at this time. NSD

**14:45 UTC:** One narrow band of precipitation located 50 km west of
the radar with

reflectivity values of around 30 dBz is moving to the NNE. More
significant convective

activity is primarily situated greater than 50 km NNW of the radar and
is moving almost

due north. DSS

**15:43 UTC:** There is a very long rain band forming now stretching
from Cuba to Florida right over Key West. It is less than 50km from the
radar with reflectivity values in the 18 to 55dBz range. The whole mass
is still tracking Northeast. There are also three small cells just South
of Miami tracking Northeast, with the same reflectivity values. NSD

**16:43 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to report
at this time. NSD

**17:48 UTC:** The tropical storm (Gabriel) has now drifted slightly
more North now. The rain band is dissipating and is no longer on top of
Key West. Other than that, all conditions remain the same. NSD

**18:55 UTC:** Now a new strong rain band has formed right over Key
West, about 30km away from the radar. Reflectivity values are in the 18
to 55dBz range. Gabriel is sitting in the same spot, just West of the
Keys, but, it is creeping North very slowly. The whole mass and the
scattered cells accompanying it are still tracking Northeast. They track
Northeast until they reach Florida then they turn back in on themselves
and track in the opposite direction. NSD

**19:58 UTC:** The new rain band has finally moved directly North of the
radar. Also, the whole mass including the scattered cells, is constantly
moving Northeast in the manner described previously. Reflectivity values
remain the same, as does the track. NSD

**21:41 UTC:** Now there is a new rain band forming right on top of the
radar, one part extends right over us and the other part is about 10 to
25km away to the East. Reflectivity values remain the same, and again,
the whole mass continues to track North. NSD

**22:37 UTC:** The rain band that just passed over head is now about40km
North of the radar. This is the only significant change since the last
entry. All conditions remain the same. NSD

**23:37 UTC:** New storms rapidly developing to the south and immediate
northeast of the radar. Storms are rapidly moving northward towards the
radar. Other storms and rainbands are located northwest of the radar and
continue to move north northeastward. Heavy attenuation occurring
northwest of the radar as beam is shooting through intense convective
line. JKJ

**00:20 UTC:** Convective line right over the radar. Frequent LTG
overhead with severe attenuation of reflectivity probably around 10-15
dB. Storms are moving due north. Several RHI's were run through the line
as it was crossing the radar. Tops were only around 6-8 km with max
reflectivity values around 50 dBz. JKJ

**01:25 UTC:** Heaviest activity has now moved north of the radar.
Rainband was present over 100 km west of the radar and other convective
activity stretched from north around to the east of the radar. Light
rain was falling over the radar site. JKJ

**02:38 UTC:** Rainband continues to march towards the east while the
cells in the band continue to move north. Strong reflectivity values are
located in much of the northwest quarter of the radar and parts of the
northeast quadrant. However, the strongest values were outside of 150
km. JKJ

**03:45 UTC:** Light rainband is developing to the west of TOGA. This
band is only about 20 dBz in strength and is moving east at about 15
knots. Strongest convection continues to be in the northwest quadrant of
the radar outside of 100km. Reflectivity values are near 50 dBz in the
strongest part. JKJ

**05:00 UTC:** New rainband (40-50 dBz) is developing to the west of the
radar around 100km out. There is a weaker rainband (20-30 dBz) forming
closer to the radar around 50 km. Looks like Gabrielle is moving more
towards the east now, and the rainbands are not developing as far south
as they were earlier. JKJ

**07:30 UTC:** Most convective activity to the northwest of the radar
over 200km has dissipated. However, new convective band was forming to
the south and west of the radar. Strongest reflectivity values were
around 45 -- 50 dBz with movement towards the north while the whole line
slid east. Another convective cell was developing due south of the radar
that should move over us. JKJ

**08:30 UTC:** Storm has moved right over the radar and is now about 25
km to the north. Rainband has started to slide to the north of the Keys,
but a new cell is developing on the southwestern end of the line.
Maximum reflectivity values still remain between 45 -- 50 dBz, with some
lightning seen outside the window. JKJ

**10:00 UTC:** A storm developed about 50km southwest of TOGA and moved
right over the site. Frequent lightning observed, with some strikes
closer than one mile. Velocity fields shows near 50 MPH near the surface
with some higher gusts. Reflectivity values on storm near radar are up
to 50 dBz, with new storms to the southeast of the radar up to 55dBz. 67
MPH (\~30kts, after unfolding) was detected at about 50 km away from the
radar at the lowest elevation tilt (probably about 2-3,000 ft aloft),
and reflectivity shape looks like that of a developing bow echo. JKJ

**11:18 UTC** There are now three distinctive rain bands passing over
us. One is about 50km East of the radar. The next one is right over the
radar, and the third is about100km to the west of us. Reflectivity
values are in the 18 to 55dBz range, and the winds have been clocked at
70mph. All storms are tracking Southwest to Northeast. NSD

**12:30 UTC** The rain band that is right over the radar is now breaking
up, but, the one behind it is still intact and heading our way. The
winds haven't died down yet. Other than that, all conditions remain the
same. NSD

**13:45 UTC** Rain bands associated with Gabrielle continue to develop
and propagate through the area. They are orientated NE-SW. Generally,
there are 3 bands at a time within the viewing area. Strong SW winds are
also present, 25-35kts with higher gusts of 40-50kts. Gabrielle is
presently moving toward shore. PAK

**14:47 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, the only change is that the
second rain band has passed over us and the third one is now about 75km
away from the radar. Reflectivity values, winds, and track remain the
same. NSD

**16:26 UTC:** The last rain band is just about over the radar now. It's
about 20km away. The winds are still the same, but, the track seems to
have shifted more to a Northeasterly flow. The two previous rain bands
have broken up, and are now between 20 to 200km to the Northeast.
Reflectivity values are still in the 18 to 50dBz range. NSD

**17:57 UTC:** The rain over the radar now is from the bottom portion of
the third rain band, there is a fourth one forming about 100km away,
but, it seems that the cells have taken on a more northerly track as
opposed to the easterly track earlier mentioned. It seems that he winds
have changed directions again. Now the track is Northeast. If this holds
up, then the next rain band may not hit us. Reflectivity values remain
the same, although the majority of the system is breaking up. NSD

19**:08 UTC:** Now, for the most part, the storm has dissipated. There
is still one large rain band that I mentioned earlier that is still
100km away from the radar. It seems to be tracking Northeast and will
not even come close to us. The reflectivity values for that rain band
are in the 18 to 50dBz range. The winds are still flowing Northeast. NSD

**20:14 UTC:** Now pretty much everything has dissipated, there are
scattered cells all around the radar from 50 to 300km in any direction.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 50dBz range. The track of
everything out there is still Northeast. NSD

**21:11 UTC:** Have switched to the FULL_FAR scan. Everything has
dissipated now and there are just a lot of scattered cells in every
direction, from 10 to300km away. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to
37dBz range. The winds continue in a northeasterly direction. NSD

**22:15 UTC:** There is a new rain band forming 20km North of the radar
that stretches all the way to Miami and beyond. It will miss us
completely. Also there are scattered cells in every direction.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 37dBz range. The winds are still
tracking Northeast. NSD

**00:05 UTC:** Most of the rain band activity is now south of the Keys.
Most of the storms are at or below 40 dBz and are tracking mainly to the
east-northeast. There was a brief shower that passed over TOGA, but has
since dissipated. JKJ

**02:00 UTC:** Convective band organizing south of the Keys and moving
northeast. Some of the stronger storms have reflectivity values near 50
dBz at times, but the average is between 40-45 dBz. The line is about
25km southeast of the Keys. JKJ

**03:30 UTC:** New line of storms forming to the north of the Keys. Band
to the south is still present, and the new line is forming about 25 km
north of the old line. Reflectivity values in the new line are still
pretty low (only around 30 dBz) but are increasing. All of the storms
are moving towards the east-northeast at about 15kts. JKJ

**05:00 UTC:** Line of storms to the north of the Keys has pretty much
dissipated to a few light showers. Other line still south of the keys
and is pretty persistent. JKJ

**07:00 UTC:** Hints of storms well to the north of the radar (over 250
km away) on the west coast of Florida. These storms were moving
southeast. Convective line was still south of us, but was starting to
break up into individual cells. JKJ

**09:00 UTC:**

Storms are still moving south and are at 250 km away. Reflectivity
values are up to near 45 dBz in some cases. Band to the south has pretty
much broken up with some storms located south of the Keys and others
southeast. These were moving more towards the east-northeast. JKJ

**10:00 UTC:**

Things are pretty much the same. Still have both areas of storms, with
some new development trying to take place between 100 -- 200 km north of
the radar. New activity is very isolated and below 40 dBz right now.
Have fun with the rest of the project, and I'll hopefully see y'all at
the next one! JKJ

**12:00 UTC:** The storm that is located north northwest at 200 - 270 km
is moving east out of Tampa-St. Pete area. Highest reflectivity values
have decreased to 37 -- 39 dBz. The band of isolated cells moving from
the southwest to the northeast have mostly dissipated to the east and
south east of the Keys. A small area southwest at 220 km has a value as
high as 44 -- 50 dBz.

**13:00 UTC:** The storm that moved east out of Tampa-St. Pete area has
mostly dissipated. Only a few isolated cells to the south and southwest
at 200-250 km.

**15:00 UTC:** A small cell has developed at 70 km south -- it may not
come closer -- moving toward northeast. A larger, low intensity cell 200
km southwest seems to be diminishing in size and strength.

**17:40 UTC:** New line of cells, extending from southwest to northeast,
developing. Closest cell is about 20km northwest. The line appears to be
moving east, so some cells may pass over the radar.

**18:30 UTC:** The new line of cells referred to at 17:40 UTC have
dissipated for the most part. A few small cells near Key West still
exist.

**20:00 UTC:** No rain is seen out to 80 km in all directions except for
one small cell east at about 50 km and larger convective cells south
between 100 and 200 km. Some high cirrus and medium high cumulus clouds
in the local area.

09-16-2001

**11:00 UTC** No rain anywhere to be seen.

**12:38 UTC:** I think that it is pretty amazing that there is
absolutely no weather what so ever! It is like the weather has just
disappeared. So, needless to say, conditions remain the same. NSD

**13:17 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to report
at this time. NSD

**16:14 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. NSD

**17:17 UTC:** Now there are some small-scattered cells forming over
Cuba, not much else to mention other than that. Reflectivity values are
in the 18 to 52dBz range winds are flowing Northeast. NSD

**18:18 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, the small cells over Cuba are
sitting in the exact same position as they were in the last entry. There
are a few scattered cells about 50 to 150km away from the radar, but
hardly any reflectivity to speak of. NSD

**19:17 UTC:** There are more scattered cells forming over Cuba, but
nothing is moving right now. There is nothing to speak of in our area.
Conditions remain the same. NSD

**20:08 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to report
at this time. NSD

**21:14 UTC:** The cells over Cuba have converged into a rain band now
and are slowly moving Northeast Reflectivity values are in the18 to
55dBz range, although it is still a considerable distance from the
radar. No other activity in our area. NSD

**22:24 UTC:** The rain band over Cuba is breaking up now and starting
to move Northeast. It is still too far away from our area to be of any
use to us. Reflectivity values remain the same, as does the track. NSD

**23:27 UTC:** The large cell is now moving northeast and looks to be
breaking up. Reflectivity has dropped down to the 18 to 37dBz range, and
it is still 200km away from the radar. There is no other activity to
report at this time. NSD

**9-17-01**

**02:30 UTC:** Cells that developed off Cuba coast have continued to
decrease in size and intensity. Some small showers remain to the SW and
the SE beyond 200-km. No other activity to report at this time. MRC

**03:49 UTC:** 2 Cells merged to the SE off the N. coast of Cuba
(approx. 140, 220 km) and have formed a fairly large cell. In addition,
2 small cells in the vicinity of 170, 140 km and 215, 160 km have
developed, all moving slowly north. Quick check outside reveals no
clouds/wind with stars ALQDS -- and occasional lightning flashes to far
SE. MRC

**05:15 UTC:** A Cell has developed to the SSW (approx. 185-195, 140 km)
with a max. dBz of 45 @ 0.8 Elev. A few small cells have developed
between 170-190, 125 km. These cells are moving to the NW. Check outside
shows partly cloudy conditions with a NE breeze. Occasional flashes of
lightning still seen to SE. MRC

**05:42 UTC:** A convective cell is developing between 110-120 at 25-30
km \~ 35 dBZ. Some northward motion indicated. MRC

**07:04 UTC:** The convection that fired nearby to the ESE died a rather
quick death. At its peak it had a 45-50dBz core and was about 4-5 km
high. The convection to the south has also diminished except for a new
cell around 195 @ 125 km moving north.

**09:11 UTC:** Radar shows scattered weak (\<37 dBZ) echoes from 120 -
180 at 120 -- 160 km. Movement is to the NW with most cells decaying as
they move. MRC

**11:38 UTC:** At this time there is no significant activity. There are
two very small cells about 125km directly south of the radar.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 37dBz range. They are not moving in
any direction at this time. NSD

**12:38 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to report
at this time. NSD

**13:29 UTC:** No significant changes to report at this time. We are
shutting down for generator maintenance. NSD

**9-19-01**

**11:45 UTC:** We have not been able to operate due to serious
oscillations in our generator motor. If we were to take data when this
occurs, the data may be un-usable. We are still trying to resolve this
problem at this time. Unfortunately, there is a very large cell that is
right on top of us, stretching directly east for about 150km.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 53dBz range. As of right now, we
are recording this data, however flawed it may be. The whole mass of the
storm is tracking southeast. NSD

**12:**45 **UTC:** The oscillations are still occurring, but we are
taking data. Right now the storm is moving southeast, the rain band
remains the same but the stratiform region behind it is slowly
dissipating. Reflectivity values remain the same. It is still within
150km away from the radar. NSD

**14:00 UTC:** The oscillations are still occurring, but the radar is
still operating. To the southeast, a cluster of cells is present with
stratiform rain extending to the east. There are also two small bands of
high reflectivity towards the northeast. These bands are developing and
are fairly close to each other. DRJ

**14:15 UTC:** Coordination begins with SMART-R running a FULL_FAR task.
DRJ

**15:00 UTC:** To the southeast, a large cluster of convective cells and
stratiform rain continue to move towards the south and southeast. To the
northeast, the two rain bands have merged and formed a larger cluster
composed of mainly convective elements. The aircraft are planning to
take off at 1600 and fly this region. Coordination with SMART-R
continues at this time. DRJ

**16:20 UTC:** The cluster of cells to the northeast is beginning to
dissipate and the northern portion is becoming more stratiform in
appearance. The southern portion is extending to the south and
interacting with the larger cluster of storms to the southeast. In
addition, a line a convective cells in forming over the southern
peninsula. DRJ

**17:00 UTC:** At this time, a large precipitation area exists to the
east of the radar. The western half has mainly convective elements with
stratiform rain extending to the east and southeast. The convection
developing over the peninsula is short-lived at this point, but new
cells continue to develop. Coordination with SMART-R is still taking
place. The aircraft may also be close to the area (they should have
taken off at 1600). DRJ

**18:00 UTC:** An outflow boundary from the convection to the east has
initiated a line of cells to the north. Due to the proximity of the
cells, TOGA has changed to a FULL_NEAR task to capture echo top. The
precipitation regions in surrounding areas from previous times are still
present and continue to evolve. There is no word on the status of the
aircraft. DRJ

**19:00 UTC:** There are three main areas of precipitation. To the
southeast, a large dissipating stratiform rain region is present. There
are convective cells just to the north of the Keys, with stratiform rain
over the eastern Keys. The last area is over the southern tip of the
Florida peninsula characterized by groups of convective cells. DRJ

**20:06 UTC:** The three main areas of precipitation are breaking up
around the radar. There are other systems forming over Cuba, and around
the Fort Meyer's area. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 53dBz range.
Most of the convection is at least 100 to 150km away from the radar in
any direction. The winds are mostly to the southeast. NSD

**21:00 UTC:** Two FBI agents (Patricia Thompson and ?) arrived at TOGA
to investigate Eyal Amitai and Marco Marcovina due to their suspicious
presence of at the XPOL site today.

**21:45 UTC:** Convective clusters 200km north, in the zone of Fort
Meyers with 18-45 dBZ. Convective clusters extinguishing within 100km
NNE from the radar. NW wind direction. Large scale convection over Cuba.
MM

**9-20-01**

**11:51 UTC:** TOGA is still experiencing generator oscillations. We are
trying everything that we can to keep the system up and running.
Although as of right now there is no weather what so ever to speak of.
Generator problems forced us to shut down last night. The system is up
and running this morning, but, if the oscillations become too bad we
will be forced to shut down again. Fortunately there is no weather. NSD

**12:55 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. No new significant weather to
report at this time. DRJ

**14:05 UTC:** Convective clusters at 150km northwest, reflectivity from
18dBz up to 50dBz. Those clusters are moving north. Other clusters at
150km southwest, moving southwest. Reflectivity from 18dBz up to 30dBz.
Small convective clusters coming up at 150km south, reflectivity up to
53dBz. MM

**15:08 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. MM

**16:21 UTC:** Conditions remain the same. Nothing significant to report
at this time. We have just added a new mixture of detergent and diesel
fuel to the generator in the hope that this will clean out the
injectors, and maybe stop the oscillations. NSD

**17:20 UTC:** No new significant weather to report. The cluster of
cells still remains to the southwest of Fort Meyers. It is nearly
stationary with a slow drift to the southwest. DRJ

**18:20 UTC:** The cluster of cells to the northwest is beginning to
dissipate. There are still a few strong cells, but the overall size of
the precipitation area is decreasing. DRJ

**19:15 UTC:** The convection to the northwest has nearly dissipated
completely. All that remains are a few scattered cells drifting towards
the southwest. A few isolated cells have developed over Cuba. Elsewhere,
things are fairly calm. DRJ

**20:57 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to
report. NSD

**22:14 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report. NSD

**23:12 UTC:** An isolated cell over the southwestern tip of Florida has
developed and is remaining stationary. It is located at about 90 km away
from the radar site. Some isolated cells continue to move to the
southwest over Cuba and are diminishing in intensity. CWS

**9-21-01**

**01:07 UTC:** The cells over southwestern Florida have almost
completely dissipated. There are also some light rain areas to the west
about 120 km. Other than that things are fairly quiet. CWS

**02:07 UTC:** The cells over southwestern Florida have maintained some
intensity and continue to propagate to the southwest. One cell is about
110 km to the north of the radar site. The other cell is 150 km to the
north/northeast of the radar site. Things remain calm in the rest of the
region with a few areas of scattered light rain but nothing significant.
CWS

**03:00 UTC:** There are 4 small cells that have popped up around 200 km
due north of the radar site and are barely moving to the west/southwest.
One cell continues to head southwestward at around 150 km north of radar
site. Another small cell has intensified somewhat and is heading due
west at 110 km north of the site. Otherwise things are still inactive in
the region. CWS

**03:33 UTC:** Due to the generators fluctuations we stopped the
full_far scan to try and reduce the heat produced by the high prf
required of that scan. We are trying to diagnose if the air conditioner
compressor is playing a role in this fluctuation. The only scan we are
doing is the surv_far which lasts 44 seconds and this scan is being
conducted every 10 minutes. There isn't any major active weather in the
area so it is not necessary to carry on the full_far scan at this time
until we can figure out if the compressor has a role in the generator
situation. CWS

**04:00 UTC:** It appears that the generator only fluctuates when the
compressor turns off or on. To conserve heat we have shut the door on
the inside to keep it as cool as possible so that the compressor doesn't
cycle as much. We are still running the surv_far scan every 10 minutes.
It appears that there is one cell 200 km north of the site which has
diminished in intensity. Another cell at 150 km has also diminished in
intensity and is located north of the site. Both cells above are moving
to the west somewhat and have decreased in aerial coverage. Another rain
shaft is located about 115 km north of the site and is moving to the
northwest. Other than the above cells all is quiet in the area. CWS

**05:00 UTC:** There is a small area of rain 125 km north of site. The
full_far scan has been put back into the schedule. Other than that
conditions are still very quiet. CWS

**06:00 UTC:** 3 convective cells have formed 80-100km north/northwest
of site and are oriented in a northeast to southwest fashion. The line
is moving to the northwest but the individual cells are moving to the
southwest. 2 of the cells seem to be merging and possibly heading for
the southernmost cell. Rest of the region is quiet. CWS

**07:00 UTC:** 2 cells have merged and are dissipating. 3^rd^ cell is
showing signs of weakening. All are 100 km to northwest of site moving
to the northwest. Rest of region is quiet. CWS

**08:00 UTC:** Cells earlier have completely dissipated. Area is rain
free. CWS

**09:00 UTC:** Conditions are the same as above. CWS

**10:00 UTC:** Conditions are the same as above. CWS

**11:07 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report. NSD

**12:10 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to
report. NSD

**14:01 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, clear air all around. NSD

**15:17 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, there is no weather to speak
of. NSD

**17:10 UTC:** There is one cell forming over Cuba. No other significant
changes to report at this time. NSD

**18:20 UTC:** The cell over Cuba is getting larger, but it has not
moved from it's original spot. There are also small cells forming about
100 to 175km away from the radar to the northwest and the southwest.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 21dBz range. There are no winds to
speak of, and no other significant changes to report at this time. NSD

**19:25 UTC:** A small cell has developed just off the SE coast of Key
West at 250/40km from TOGA. It is showing slow NW movement. MRC

**19:38 UTC:** TOGA shutdown for generator maintenance.

**21:08 UTC:** System brought back up. NSD

**21:26 UTC:** Cell over Key West has dissipated. A few cells have
developed over and just S. of the Everglades and are moving WSW. The
lead cell is approx. 045/50km. MRC

**22:20 UTC:** The cells moving WSW are dissipating between 50 to 100km
northeast of the radar. The rest of the convection, all around the radar
within 50 to 100km is also dissipating as it moves southwest towards
Cuba. Reflectivity values are down to the 2 to 18dBz range. The winds
are flowing south by southwest. NSD

**23:14 UTC:** Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to
report at this time. NSD

**9-22-01**

**00:19 UTC:** Convective clusters in north direction from 50km to 300km
range. In those clusters reflectivity is from 18 to 50dBz. Other clouds
above 18dBz within 100km all around the Key Islands. Wind direction east
to west. MM

**01:45 UTC:** Conditions remain the same as before. Convective clouds
about 100km north, reflectivity up to 50dBz, wind direction east. MM

**2:44 UTC:** Storm cell in north direction. The exact location is:
range 50 to 100km, azimuth 0 to 45 west. The reflectivity goes from 20
to 40dBz. The reflectivity of the cell is reducing. Other clouds located
all around the radar at different ranges with reflectivity below 20dBz.
Wind direction east. MM

**3:42 UTC:** Storm cells situated at north (range about 50km) are
fading: they are getting smaller and the reflectivity is reducing (max
about 40dBz). MM

**4:51 UTC:** Same conditions as before. MM

**5:47 UTC:** Clouds located at a range from 50 to 110km, direction
northwest. Reflectivity goes from 12 to 40dBz. MM

6:31 UTC: Same as before, clouds are still moving northwest, now the
range is 75 to 130km. MM

7:38 UTC: Clouds described before are getting smaller and the
reflectivity is getting lower. Nothing significant. MM

**8:40 UTC:** small cell at south-southeast, range over 150km. The
reflectivity is about 20-30dBz. MM

**9:41 UTC:** nothing to report: the sky is almost totally clear. MM

**10:31 UTC:** still nothing to report: the sky is almost clear. Small
clouds all around the radar at range below 50km. Reflectivity 15dBz. MM

**11:32 UTC:** A nice line of TCU stretches SW-NE over the Keys.
Movement seems to be slowly to the SW. 3 small echoes (35-40 dBz @ 0.5
EL) are detected over the keys. One is 265/25km, one is 100/20km and one
is just west (\~2km) of TOGA. Very light rain has been falling at TOGA
for the past 5 minutes. Wind is light from the NE. MRC

**12:35 UTC:** The echo that was just west of TOGA has dissipated.
However, the other echoes have seemed to align themselves into two small
SW-NE oriented bands. The first is located from 170 to 100/20-30km and
has three cells of \~ 40-45dBz @ 0.5 EL.

The 2^nd^ is \~250-260/30-55km and has 3 cells of \~35-40dBz. Movement
is to the SW. MRC

**13:32 UTC:** Convection has now moved off to the west and south of the
Keys. The line that was at \~250 has diminished somewhat. There is one
cell located at 245/60km and another at 245/90km. Another cell has
formed at 260/75km. The line just to the SE of the Keys has also broken
up a bit. The most intense cell is \~45dBz at 190/15km with a couple of
small flanking cells. Activity is moving SW. MRC

**14:02 UTC:** TOGA shutdown for generator maintenance.

**14:45 UTC:** TOGA is back up after working through a minor hiccup with
the RCP. Most activity has died off. A small cell is located at
190/20km. No other significant activity seen. MRC

**15:54 UTC:** Activity continues to wane within 150km of TOGA. A couple
of small cells have formed at 290/150km and a group of cells are located
at 75-90/150-200 km. MRC

17:13 UTC: Scattered cells are located from 190-240/50km -- 110km.
Maximum dBz @ 0.8 EL is 48.5dBZ located at 230/73 km. All activity
continues to move SW. MRC

17:40 UTC: TOGA shutdown due to power failure.

21:35 UTC: TOGA is back up after extended troubleshooting. When the
radar was first brought back up -- there was some serious arcing. Greg
and Jim tried replacing the thyratron but it did not solve the problem.
It was decided that the power fluctuation when the A/C cycles on is
still the (main) cause of the transmitter problems.

The transmitter power has been reduced, purposely, to 200 kilowatts.

Neil came and changed the tapes once we brought the radar back up around
21:26.

As far as the weather goes, there is a fairly large area of cells just
off the south coast of FL \~035-045/55-75km. There are some scattered
small cells beyond 100 km to the SE and SW. Movement was generally to
the SW. MRC

22:45 UTC: The region of storms has advanced to the SW and developed to
the north. The lead 2 cells are at 040/45km. Max dBz is 45 @ 0.5 EL.
Storm cells stretch northward from these to form a N-S line approx.
010/60-120 km. Other scattered showers were located at about 240/110-150
km. MRC

23:45 UTC: Two scattered cells at north. The first one extends from 50
km to 150 km, the second one from 250km to 300km. The reflectivity goes
from 12 to 40dBz. Other smaller cells located at 100 km SE and 250 east.
The cells are moving toward west. MM

9-23-01

00:49 UTC: A scattered cell at NNE, range from 50km to 175km. The
reflectivity is from 20 to 55 dBz. The cell is moving west. MM

1:38 UTC: Because of the wind, the scattered cluster mentioned before
has moved west, the range is almost the same as before, but the
direction is NE. The reflectivity is the same as before. MM

02:42 UTC: The shift toward west continues. But the form of the cells is
changing because of vanishing of some cells and birth of others. We have
big one cell at 150km northeast, with reflectivity up to 53dBz and
another cell at 100 to 150km north with reflectivity up to 30 dBz.
Dimension of those cells is about tens of kilometers. At SE (range 80 up
to 120 km) there are many less cells (dimension of some kilometers) whit
reflectivity up to 45dBz. Wind direction from east. A cell is forming in
the region specified by: azimuth 10W to 80W, range 25km to 35km. The
associated reflectivity is up to 37dBz. MM

3:37 UTC: The cells described below have moved to west and have
considerably shrunk. The reflectivity is reduced. The sky view from the
radar is getting clearer. MM

4:38 UTC: The cells continued shrinking. Now there is one cell left, at
220km NE, progressively extinguishing and moving toward west. MM

5:46 UTC: Sky almost clear around the radar. Two cells are arising about
80km NE. Their maximal reflectivity is about 50dBz. Small clouds over
the Keys, reflectivity less than 20 dBz. MM

6:38 UTC: According to the wind direction, the cells described above
have moved toward west. The sky is almost clear. MM

7:40 UTC: the sky remains almost clear. Small cells at \~90km NW, moving
toward west and shrinking. MM

08:40 UTC: The radar display says that the burst pulse signal is
missing. No clouds are detected and no signal is visible on the
oscilloscope setting aside the noise. The radar is down. MM

8:42 UTC: the radar is on again. Sky almost clear. Very small and few
clouds below 16 dBz. MM

9:31 UTC: The radar is down again, the error message displayed is the
same as before. MM

9:36 UTC: The radar is on again. MM

9:49 UTC: many small clouds all around the radar at different ranges.
Maximum reflectivity up to 35 dBz. Wind direction west. MM

10:33 UTC: The clouds described above have moved west. The major part of
them are within a range of 100km, the diameter of the biggest is about
10km, the maximal reflectivity is 40dBz. They are quite sparse. There is
light precipitation over the site. The wind direction is west. MM

10:51 UTC: the radar went off for the same reason as before. MM

12:35 UTC: TOGA is still down. Glance outside shows that scattered
storms are still to the N, W, and S of the radar with a couple small
cells also to the E. One large cell to the NNW approx. 15 km or so is
putting out frequent CG and has a large rain foot. The activity seems to
be moving to the WSW but also developing on the flanks of existing cells
which makes overall movement hard to determine. MRC

13:05 UTC: TOGA is back up and scanning.

13:35 UTC: TOGA went down again.

14:34 UTC: TOGA is back up. Lester recalibrated the radar for a lower
power output. We did a Zauto and updated the system settings. 2
thunderstorm cells are currently with 50 km of the radar. The 1^st^ one
is 350/15 km and the 2^nd^ is at 25/15 km. Both have visible rain shafts
and infrequent CG. Each are aligned E-W and are approx. 10 km in E-W
extent. There are many scattered cells to the W beyond 50 km and one
cell at 75/45-55 km. MRC

15:06 UTC: Paul called and requested that we start the NORTH_FAR scan at
5:00 minute intervals (it takes 3:43) to run. We are also still running
SURV_FAR.

The two cells to the north have merged into a cell complex at
330-360/10-20 km. Max dBZ \~45. Another 2 cells are heading SW on
azimuth 70 at 35-45 km. Other cells are located SW of the Keys beyond 50
km. MRC

16:24 UTC: We are still running the sector scan. Earlier (\~15:30 Z) we
saw 2 funnel clouds/waterspouts from a line of TCU south of the keys.
Activity within 50 km has dimished. Large echoes are present at
260/60-75 km and 285/110-140 km. No other significant activity is
detected at this time. MRC

16:55 UTC: The area of large echoes has continued to move west away from
the Keys and intensify. We are discontinuing NORTH_FAR and returning to
FULL_FAR every 10 minutes by default. MRC

17:10 UTC: Transmitter tripped off.

17:56 UTC: Transmitter brought back up. There are now scattered cells
directly west of the radar about 10 to 100km away. There are also
scattered cells southwest about 25 to 50km away. Reflectivity values are
in the 18 to 53dBz range. All cells are tracking northwest. NSD

19:28 UTC: Have started coordinated scans with SMART_R and N_POL. We are
running the NORTH_FAR and SURV_FAR. There is one storm about 50km
directly west of the radar, which is the subject of the coordinated
scans. There are also scattered cells in all directions anywhere from 50
to 300km away. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 53dBz range. All
activity is tracking northwest. NSD

20:23 UTC: The storm that is directly east of us has turned into a rain
band now, that is surrounding all the lower Keys. It is 10 to 50km away
right now, and is moving northwest. Reflectivity values remain the same.
NSD

21:23 UTC: The rain band is steadily reforming itself, the main part of
it is about 25 to 75km to the northwest, and the latest addition to it
is about 10km northwest of the radar. Reflectivity values are now in the
18 to 60dBz range! Everything is still tracking northwest. We are still
doing coordinated scans with the other two radars. NSD

22:24 UTC: We stopped doing coordinated scans and returned to FULL_FAR.
Activity around the Keys has been on the decrease. The remnant of the
strong cell to our NW is now approx. 305/30 km -- and its intensity has
decreased markedly. Action over the Everglades and S. Florida has flared
up. A group of cells was also located at 105-120/75-95km. All activity
was moving WNW. MRC

9-24-01

00:05 UTC: after changing the tapes, the radar got some problem starting
again. Data from this moment on are missing. The error message is "#11
Missing burst pulse signal at RVP7/IFD". MM

03:17 UTC: The radar is on. MM

03:32 UTC: Large scale convection at 180 km SW, reflectivity up to 50
dBz. One scatterd cell at 150 km, 15E, reflectivity up to34 dBz. At a
shorter range: A scatterd cell at 40 km NNE. Smaller clouds over the
Keys. MM

05:00 UTC: Few small changes . The cell at 15E is progressively
disappearing, another bigger cell is present at 200 km SE, his
reflectivity is up to 37 dBz. Small sparse clouds over the Keys. MM

06:00 UTC: Conditions remain the same. We have one big activity at about
220 SE: a bigger cell of 50 km of diameter (max reflectivity is 40 dBz)
surrounded by oher cells up to ten km of diamter (one of those has
maximal reflectivity up to 55 dBz). MM

07:07 UTC: The wind direction is NW, so the cell described at 05:00 UTC
(220 km SE) has moved few kilometers toward the radar. For the rest,
conditions are the same. MM

08:10 UTC: The big cell at 220SE is quickly getting smaller and the
reflectivity is lowering. The diameter is about 20 Km, his mean
reflectivity about 24 dBz, the activity of this cell is lowering. The
surrounding cells described one hour ago have vanished. Scattered cells
at 110 km SSW, with reflectivity up to 50 dBz. The diameter of these
cells can be 10 km. Activity over the Keys: clusters of small sparse
clouds all over the Keys with reflectivity about 20 dBz, two bigger
cells at about 105W, 50 km, with diameter of many km. In those cell the
mean reflectivity is about 20-25dBz and the maximal about 45-50 dBz. MM

09:10 UTC: Small scattered cells. The biggest cells are at 250 km SE and
125 SSW. The reflectivity is up to 35dBz. There are smaller clouds over
the Keys. The activity is decreased if compared to one hour ago. MM

10:10 UTC: Scattered cells at SE, range 180 to 250km, reflectivity up to
37 dBz. MM

11:23 UTC: Conditions remain the same, there is scattered convection in
every direction, but nothing significant to report at this time. NSD

12:55 UTC: There is a rain band consisting of convective cells to the
east at ranges beyond 160km. To the northwest, isolated convective
showers are present. These echoes are moving towards the north. In
addition, there are a few small cells beginning to develop to the south
at 15km. DRJ

14:14 UTC: The rain band to the east is dissipating with a few cells
remaining. Isolated convective cells are still present to the northwest,
moving towards the north. The convective showers that developed to the
south at 15km range have dissipated. There is a new cell developing to
the northeast at 12km range. DRJ

15:18 UTC: The only significant change is the cell that developed to the
northeast at 12km range has dissipated. Otherwise, isolated convective
showers to the northwest continue to move towards the north. DRJ

17:20 UTC: Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to report
at this time. NSD

18:17 UTC: There is a small rain band forming over the southern coast of
Cuba, other than that there are no significant changes to report. NSD

19:47 UTC: Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to report
at this time. NSD

21:02 UTC: There is a small cell forming 125km southeast of the radar,
unfortunately this is the only significant activity all day.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 50dBz range. The cell is tracking
north. NSD

22:27 UTC: There is a large rain band forming on the northern coast of
Cuba, and it is tracking north. There is no other significant activity
in our area. Reflectivity values of the rain band are in the 18 to 60dBz
range. NSD

23:40 UTC: Large scale convection over Cuba northern coast, still
tracking north. The reflectivity of this system reaches 55dBz. A sparse
system of clouds is present over the Keys and up to 50km north. The
reflectivity of this system is up to 35 dBz. Other clusters of clouds at
different ranges and azimuth, the biggest is at 150km NNE, with
reflectivity up to 50 dBz. MM

9-25-01

00:50 UTC: Large scale convection over the northern part of Cuba. The
dimension of this cell is about 100km. The reflectivity is up to 60 dBz.
Other cells all over the east- coast of Florida, with reflectivity up to
50 dBz. Over the Keys a sparse system of scattered cells, with
reflectivity up to 20 dBz. MM

01:40 UTC: The large-scale cell over Cuba northern coast is getting
bigger. Now the dimension is about 200km. The clouds at north of the
radar described above (00:50 UTC) didn't change but shifted toward
north. MM

02:40 UTC: The overall situation is still as described at 01:00 UTC and
00:50 UTC, but the cells have moved about 40 km north. Especially the
large scale over Cuba is getting bigger and his intensity is growing
(now up to 60 dBz). MM

03:40 UTC: The big cell over Cuba is still tracking north, the situation
didn't change with respect to 2:40 UTC.

04:40 UTC: The big cell previously described over Cuba is still tracking
north. Now it is over the sea in front of the coast, but it is getting
quickly smaller and with lower reflectivity. MM

05:00 UTC: The process of shrinking of the cell over the northern coast
of Cuba is quickly going on: the dimensions of the cell are now about
half of what they were at 3:40 UTC. The reflectivity is now much reduced
(Although the maximal reflectivity is not changed much, it is clear at
first sight that the mean and mode of the reflectivity are much less
than before). MM

05:40 UTC: The cell over Cuba has definitively become little. Now the
most relevant activity is about 120 km SW: large scale scattered cells
with reflectivity up to 55dBz. MM

06:40 UTC: The large scale cells situated at 100 km SW up to 200km SW
are tracking north. The maximal reflectivity remains high (about 55
dBz). Activity also at 200 km in the 80-10 west. Smaller activity over
the Keys. MM

07:40 UTC: The cells at SW are getting smaller. Also the reflectivity is
now lower: now the maximum is about 44 dBz. Fort the rest, al the
activity has moved NNE. MM

08:40 UTC: The activity has been fading fast in the past hour. Now what
remains are small cells (no more large scale cells, but max say 15 km of
diameter), one situated 200 km SW (maximal reflectivity about 30-35 dBz)
and other situated at north at different angles and ranges. The wind
direction is NE. MM

9:40 UTC: The activity continued moving NE. Especially if compared to
some hours ago, the sky is almost clear around the radar. Small activity
over the Keys: a cluster of small, sparse clouds with reflectivity up to
20 dBz. MM

10:40 UTC: Cells are moving toward NE. The activity remains very small.
Nothing to report. MM

11:27 UTC: Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to report
at this time. NSD

13:00 UTC: The only echoes present are isolated convective cells to the
east at ranges farther than 200km. DRJ

14:00 UTC: Conditions remain the same with no significant changes to
report at this time. DRJ

15:03 UTC: The only significant change is the development of a few weak
showers to the northwest at 100 and 150km range. These echoes are moving
towards the northeast. DRJ

16:11 UTC: The isolated convective cells to the east at ranges beyond
200km have dissipated. A couple of weaker showers have developed to the
east at 140km range. These echoes are moving towards the northeast. In
addition, a few isolated cells are located over the Florida peninsula.
DRJ

18:02 UTC: We have updated the radar power-out again, and are now
running only one dB down from normal. Lester has recalculated and we
have updated the system settings. Unfortunately, there is no notable
weather in our area at this time. There are some small convective cells
over Florida and over Cuba, but nothing worth mentioning. NSD

19:28 UTC: Convective cells over Cuba are beginning to form line
segments. Also, developing convective cells near Miami are beginning to
form a small cluster. One of the cells has reflectivity above 60 dBZ.
DRJ

21:00 UTC: There is a large rain band forming off the northern coast of
Cuba now. It is still about 175 to 200km south of the radar, but it is
tracking north. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 60dBz range. Maybe
it won't dissipate before it gets to us. There is no other significant
activity to report at this time. NSD

22:00 UTC: Conditions remain the same, the rain band that was forming
over Cuba is now stalling and breaking up. No other significant activity
to report at this time. NSD

9-26-01

02:00 UTC: Several scattered cells, nothing new to report. MRW

04:38 UTC: Ran antenna into stops doing an RHI on a strong cell to the
SE. Corrected problem, system back up at 4:49 am. MRW

06:00 UTC: Nothing to Report. MRW

09:00 UTC: Things have pretty much cleared up locally. Everything seems
to have moved Northwest. There is one system that is directly West. GWF

11:00 UTC: There are scattered cells in all directions. Most of the
activity is to the west of the radar about 200km away. There is a small
rain band forming about 100km north of here. Reflectivity values are in
the 18 to 55dBz range. All activity is tracking to the north. NSD

12:00 UTC: Conditions remain the same, nothing significant to report at
this time. NSD

13:17 UTC: There are large convective cells off to the northwest about
175 to 300km from the radar, but they are moving away from us. There are
also two small cells right off the southern coast of Florida,
(Whitewater Bay area), they are also moving away from us to the north.
Reflectivity values are still in the 18 to 55dBz range. There is no
other significant activity in our area at this time. NSD

14:42 UTC: Conditions remain the same, no significant changes to report
at this time. NSD

16:06 UTC: There is a fairly long rain band (100km in length) to the
northwest at 200km range. This line is composed of convective cells
moving to the north-northeast. Trailing this line is a broad region of
stratiform precipitation. Ahead of this precipitation feature, isolated
convective cells are developing at 100-150km range and moving towards
the north. DRJ

17:57 UTC: There is now a large system developing to the northwest. It
seems to be prime for dual-doppler scanning. Reflectivity values are in
the 18 to 60dBz range. The whole system is tracking east-northeast. NSD

18:57 UTC: The large system is now coming into our range and we are
waiting for SMART_R to come up. The same conditions persist, and
reflectivity values remain the same. The storm is now only 175km to the
northwest of the radar and tracking east. NSD

19:57: UTC: Conditions remain the same, the large storm to the northeast
is creeping eastward ever so slowly. Reflectivity values remain the
same, as does the track. NSD

21:32 UTC: The large precipitation region has continued to move eastward
and is now in the northern dual-Doppler lobe. Its stratiform region has
dissipated a little, but the convective cells remain strong and continue
to develop. Coordination with SMART-R has begun with a NORTH_NEAR task
due to intense cells developing to the northwest at 10km range. In
addition, a line of convection has formed over Cuba and is moving to the
north. DRJ

22:47 UTC: A large rain band has formed about 50km northwest of the
radar, and it is right in the perfect spot for dual-doppler.
Reflectivity values are in the 18 to 60dBz range. The whole storm is
tracking east, headed directly for us. There is also a large rain band
coming north from Cuba. The reflectivity values are the same, but it is
tracking north. NSD

22:50 UTC: NPOL is back up. MIB

23:34 UTC: Band of convection to the northwest continues to propagate
slowly towards the east. Reflectivity in the upper 50s for most cells.
There is good mid-level rotation in several of the cells. But there is
little low-level rotation. Believe that we are coordinating fairly well
with SMART-radar and now NPOL. Also should have some coordinated RHIs
between NPOL and XPOW. MIB

9-27-01

00:00 UTC: Tape changed. The cells are weakening significantly in the
band that is still to the northwest. The central and southern part of
the band is dissipating. The northern part still appears to be very
active, as is a group of cells to the northeast. MIB

00:15 UTC: Back up from the tape change. Cells continue to weaken. An
east-west band of moderately intense convective cells is about 100 km to
the south. This band propagated up from afternoon convection over the
mountains of Cuba. Will still focus on the northern lobe. MIB

00:47 UTC: Almost all of the convection is beyond 50 km range. A strong
cell to the east continues to move up the middle to upper Keys. Frequent
lightning is visible in that cell. Also, the northern part of the N-S
oriented band that was to our NW continues to move to the northeast and
weaken. There is a broad region of stratiform rain behind it. The
convection from Cuba is bout 75 km to the south and moving towards the
north. The strongest part of that E-W band is on the western side.
Blockage from the SMART-radar cab would prevent wind retrievals in that
part of the storm. The eastern part of the band is considerably weaker
with cells that are more discrete and well ahead of the trailing
stratiform rain. Still focusing on the dissipating convection in the
northern dual-Doppler lobe. MIB

01:30 UTC: Stratiform region that is 50-100 km to the north continues to
weaken and drift towards the northeast. The E-W squall line out of Cuba
is starting to develop into a more continuous band of convection. There
is very frequent IC/CG lightning associated with that line. The leading
edge of the line is about 50 km to the south and runs in azimuth from
130-240 degrees. Flow at the radar is from the north and about 10-15
knots. That should feed the squall line to the south quite well. All
radars are coordinated in a full-far strategy. Will switch to the south
sector within about 30 minutes. MIB

01:50 UTC: Switched to south-far strategy. All radars are coordinated.
E-W squall line has intensified on the eastern side and weakened on the
north. Very impressive CG/IC lightning. MIB

02:45 UTC: All radars have been on the south-near strategy for about 20
minutes. The eastern end of the squall line has developed into a
quasi-two-dimensional band of reflectivity with peak values in the low
50dBZ range. Still descent CC/CG lightning, but not as frequent. Leading
edge of the line is about 15 km away. A nice outflow boundary is
evident. MIB

03:00 UTC: Gust front passed through. Very brief cool flow from the
south. Well-defined arcus cloud (despite being nighttime). The E-W band
has become more discrete again. A gap in the line may mean that little
rain will occur at NPOL and SMART-radar. XPOW and TOGA should get
moderately intense rain shortly. MIB

03:30 UTC: Switched to full-near strategy since the convective line has
passed to the north of the baseline. Coordinated switch with SMART-radar
and NPOL. NPOL will call XPOW. Plan to take about 3 volumes of FULL_NEAR
and then switch to NORTH_FAR or NORTH_NEAR. MIB

04:20 UTC: SMART-radar was briefly hung up. About 10-15 minutes without
coordinated dual-Doppler. Called NPOL and XPOW and will move strategy to
an eastern sector. The western part of the E-W squall line has
completely dissipated. There is a good cell to the northeast and new
cells are forming along an arcing N-S line well to the east of the
previous squall line. There is a broad region of stratiform rain. MIB

04:50 UTC: Finally got all the radars onto the eastern sector. The cell
that was northeast at 40 km has dissipated. The only active convection
is about 100 km to the east. Several regions of disconnected stratiform
rain exists. Will stay with the eastern sector strategy for now. MIB

05:35 UTC: Switching to regular full-far/surveillance mode. The only
convection continues to be east at a range between 100-150km. There are
three disconnected regions of dissipating stratiform rain and that's it.
Will likely snooze for a while. MIB

09:25 UTC: Convection to the east has drifted to 150km range. New echo
to the northwest is around 200 km in range. Basically second-tripping in
northern hemisphere. Otherwise, nothing to report. MIB

10:35 UTC: Still just second trip in the full-far scan. Most
precipitation is beyond 200 km range. MIB

11:35 UTC: Conditions remain the same, no significant activity to report
at this time. NSD

15:15 UTC: Conditions have remained the same for the past few hours. A
large precipitation area is located to the northwest beyond 150km and is
slowly moving east. DRJ

16:00 UTC: The precipitation area is continuing to move eastward with
cells developing in the northern dual-Doppler lobe. All radars are
running a NORTH_FAR task at this time. DRJ

16:35 UTC: To the northwest, two linear bands have formed at 100-120km
range. The bands are 40-50km in length. There are also cells developing
to the west. The individual cells are moving to the northeast, while the
system is drifting to the east. DRJ

16:52 UTC: The southern most linear rain band is beginning to build
southward and merge with the developing cells located to the west at
110km range. A fairly intense cell has also developed in the past 10-20
minutes to the north at 55km range. DRJ

18:49 UTC: The rain band is breaking up into small cells oh high
reflectivity. Most of the activity is to the northwest flowing southwest
to northeast. Everything is anywhere form 10 to 200km north by northwest
of the radar. NSD

19:14 UTC: There was a gigantic waterspout about 10km northeast of the
radar. We saw it with the naked eye and it lasted for about 10min. NSD

20:03 UTC: A line of intense cells has developed along the length of the
lower Keys. Heavy rain is present at TOGA and another waterspout was
observed towards the west at 5-10km range. DRJ

21:00 UTC: The eastern edge of the line of cells that developed has a
very intense cell moving along the length of the Keys (east-northeast).
The western portions are beginning to take on a stratiform structure.
Another cell has developed to the southwest, but is directly south of
SMART-R, where their beam is blocked by the cab of the truck. A line of
convection has also formed over Cuba and is moving north towards the
Keys. Elsewhere, large regions of stratiform rain with embedded
convection are present to the northeast, northwest, and southwest at
ranges 170km. DRJ

21:27 UTC: Convective cells are beginning to develop in the southern
dual-Doppler lobe at this time. We have coordinated with SMART-R to
begin running the FULL_NEAR task. DRJ

21:46 UTC: The convective cells developing in the southern lobe are
beginning to organize into a line. The area of precipitation heading
north from Cuba is dissipating. DRJ

22:09 UTC: TOGA and SMART-R have changed to a FULL_FAR task. N-POL was
down, but is now back up. The wave-guide had moisture in it. DRJ

22:45 UTC: There is weather all over in every direction Although
reflectivity values are only in the 18 to 44dBz range, there is a lot of
activity. There is a rain band forming 75 to 125km south of the radar.
The entire mass is tracking northeast. NSD

9-28-01

02:08 UTC: Several regions of convective cells in the southern
hemisphere. Highest reflectivity values are about 50dBZ. Very large
region of stratiform rain to the south and to the west. Started focusing
on the south sector with SMART-R. Note: N-POL appears to have lost some
power as they report rapidly diminished reflectivity values in the past
30 minutes. Could be due to moisture in the waveguide as was reported to
be problematic earlier. MIB

02:40 UTC: For the past hour or so there have been two primary
convective bands. One is oriented southwest to northeast and moving
towards the northwest. The other is oriented southeast to northwest and
moving to the northeast. They intersected at about 100km range to the
southwest of the radar. The northwest moving band appears to be dominant
as the other band is weakening as the SW-NE band continues to move
rapidly to the NW. The band should pass over both NPOL and SMART-R
within the hour. A JW distrometer has been deployed at the SMART-R so it
should be interesting to see what rain rates occur with the passage of
the line. MIB

02:56 UTC: The NW propagating band is undergoing a discrete jump with a
new line of cells forming about 10km ahead of the existing line. A x-z
section perpendicular to the band showed that the line is only about 8km
deep in the vertical. Little lightning activity is being reported by
SMART-R. MIB

04:36 UTC: Most convective activity has dissipated. However, a new band
of cells has formed to the east and is now about 100km from TOGA. There
also remains a very extensive region of moderately heavy stratiform
rain. Earlier N-POL reported that when rain hit the radar site that
their reflectivity values dropped by about 10dB, down to a max of around
30dBZ. We were seeing about 40dBZ at the time. The distrometer at
SMART-R recorded a peak rain rate of about 9 mm/hr which also
corresponds well to a 40dBZ reflectivity value. MIB

11:09 UTC: Conditions remain the same, as they have all night. Nothing
has changed since the last report. NSD

12:13 UTC: At this time, there is a large region of stratiform rain with
embedded convection to the northwest centered between 50-100km. Farther
northwest (beyond 150km) isolated convective cells are developing and
are moving to the north. In addition, a squall line with a trailing
stratiform region has emerged from the coast of Cuba and is moving
north-northeast. DRJ

14:00 UTC: There is a large stratiform region forming to the southeast
of the radar, and another large system forming to the northwest. They
are both about 50 to 250km away. Reflectivity values are in the 18 to
53dBz range. This is some of the best weather we have seen during the
whole experiment, it's too bad that it happens to be the last day of
operations. Everything is moving to the northwest. Operations are due to
cease in two hours. NSD

15:17 UTC: A squall line with a trailing region of stratiform
precipitation is located to the east and is about to cross over the
middle Keys. The line is near 100km long and the system is moving
north-northeast. Another large precipitation system is developing to the
west and northwest beyond 150km. This is the third day in a row that
such development has taken place. DRJ

15:57 UTC: The squall line is continuing to move northward towards the
southern Florida peninsula. Trailing the line is a broad region of
stratiform rain. Because X-POW has left town, we are shutting down
operations. DRJ