PALAU Field Campaign in June – July 2008PALAU Field Campaign in June – July 2008

• Two Doppler radars to monitor the structure and evolution of tropical convection

• Upper-air sounding network for a budget analysis

ObjectiveObjective

• Understanding of the nature of tropical convective systems (including tropical cyclones) over a monsoon trough region

• Clarifying the impact of diabatic heating of tropical convection on summer monsoon rainfall (including Baiu / Meiyu)

GPCP Precipitation (June, 1988-99)

R/V MiraiR/V Mirai

Location:Location: 135E, 12N (4-28 June)135E, 12N (4-28 June)

moving (4-27 July)moving (4-27 July)

Observations:Observations: Doppler radar, Radiosonde, Surface Met., Turbulent FluxDoppler radar, Radiosonde, Surface Met., Turbulent Flux

CTD (deep-ocean temp. & salinity)CTD (deep-ocean temp. & salinity)

Palau Islands AreaPalau Islands Area

Observations:Observations: Doppler radar, Wind profiler, Surface Met., etc. (on-going)Doppler radar, Wind profiler, Surface Met., etc. (on-going)

G-II Dropsonde (3 – 4 days + ferry flights in June)G-II Dropsonde (3 – 4 days + ferry flights in June)

6-hourly radiosonde (06, 21 UTC)6-hourly radiosonde (06, 21 UTC) at Koror and Yapat Koror and Yap(40 days: 5 June – 15 July)(40 days: 5 June – 15 July)

Woleai AtollWoleai Atoll

10km10km

Radiosonde ObservationRadiosonde Observation

40 days (5 June – 15 July)40 days (5 June – 15 July)

00/12 UTC (+ 06/18 UTC if required)00/12 UTC (+ 06/18 UTC if required)

Test launch (March)

Preparation at Woleai (Feb. ’08)Preparation at Woleai (Feb. ’08)

Transferring helium gas bottles by a state boat

Transferring radiosonde sensors and a receiving system by a chartered aircraft

Real-Time Delivery of InformationReal-Time Delivery of Information

Site WMO Code / Callsign

Data Period Destination

R/V Mirai JNSR Radiosonde

(Vaisala RS-92)

[ 6 hourly ]

40 days + 6/4 – 6/28 (fixed point)

7/4 – 7/28 (moving)

GTS

(via JMA)

Woleai Atoll 91317

(used only 2 months in 1979)

Radiosonde

(Vaisala RS-92)

[12 or 6 hourly ]

40 days

(6/5 – 7/15)

Currently, no destination

NOAA site

(Yap, Koror)

91408 (PTYA)

91413 (PTRO)

Additional Sonde

(Vaisala RS-80)

[ 06, 18 UTC ]

40 days

(6/5 – 7/15)

GTS

Aimeliik

Radar

(Palau Is.)

N/A Reflectivity Image

(hourly)

On-going

(during 2-3 yeas)

Web

PALAU project pagePALAU project page

PALAU project pagePALAU project page