LMS-6 RADIOSONDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. For The Radiosonde Replacement System. October 20, 2014 Revision J

Transcription

1 LMS-6 RADIOSONDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN For The Radiosonde Replacement System October 20, 2014 Revision J U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service/Office of Operational Systems Field Systems Operations Center/Observing Systems Branch

2 1.0 INTRODUCTION Since 2005, the Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS) has been used to collect, process, and disseminate upper air data using modern ground tracking equipment and Global Positioning System (GPS) radiosondes. Until recently, all RRS sites used the Mark IIA GPS radiosonde to take soundings. In 2013, NWS successfully deployed and tested the new Lockheed Martin Sippican (LMS) LMS-6 GPS radiosonde at six NWS offices. These sites continue to use the LMS-6 for operational soundings. Today, more than 55 NWS offices use the LMS-6. The radiosonde is lighter than the Mark IIA and uses dry-cell batteries. It also provides improved accuracy of the RH data. This implementation plan provides a schedule of activities and procedures for installation and operational use of the LMS-6. It also provides a list of key NWS staff involved in the implementation of the software. 2.0 LMS-6 RADIOSONDE IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES Implementation of the LMS-6 at NWS offices will be accomplished in two phases: Phase I: The office installs updated SPS software version 4.8. This software will also allow the office to continue use of the Mark IIA GPS sonde. Site staff will also review training materials on the preparation and use if the LMS-6 radiosonde. Up to two Special soundings should be taken with the LMS-6 for testing and training purposes. Phase II: Operational use of the LMS-6 radiosonde will begin when the office supply of Mark IIA sondes drops to zero or as directed by Bill Blackmore, WSH. 3.0 PHASE I: INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE AND TRAINING 3.1 Receipt of software and supporting documentation At least three weeks prior to the implementation of the LMS-6 radiosonde, stations will download the following materials: (1) LMS-6 Radiosonde Implementation Plan. (2) RRS Users Guide for Software (versions 2.5 and higher). 1

3 (3) LMS-6 Radiosonde Training Video. (4) LMS SPS software version 4.8 installation instructions. (5) LMS SPS software version 4.8 (downloaded from a website). Items 1 through 4 will be posted on this website: or ed to the office. Sites are to contact Bill Blackmore and their Regional Office (see Section 6.0) to confirm receipt of the software and installation instructions Review and familiarization of documentation Station staff must complete the review and familiarization of all materials listed in Section 3.1 by November 21, If this activity can not be completed prior to installation of the SPS software, staff will contact Bill Blackmore and their Regional Office as soon as possible (See Section 6.0). The RRS Users Guide and training video provide sufficient information to allow observers to train themselves prior to operational use of the LMS-6. Appendix F of the RRS Users Guide provides instructions on how to prepare and baseline the LMS-6. Operation of the RRS software for the LMS-6 is very similar to that for the Mark IIA radiosonde. 3.2 Installation of software Installation of the SPS version 4.8 should be completed by November 21, TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE NEW SOFTWARE, STATION STAFF MUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. (1) Follow the installation instructions for SPS software version 4.8. If software installation will be delayed beyond the deadline date, station staff will contact Bill Blackmore and their Regional Office (See Section 6.0) to reschedule an installation date. (2) SPS software installation will occur only on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of the week between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM EST. Installation of the software on Friday must not be done unless authorized by Bill Blackmore. If severe weather is possible the 2

4 installation should be postponed to a later date. (3) After the SPS software is installed, completion of the action will be logged into the Engineering Management Reporting System (EMRS). Station staff will Bill Blackmore and their Regional Office Upper Air Program Manager (see Section 6.0) to confirm installation of the software Operational use of the software and test sounding To help verify that the SPS software is working correctly and provide observer training, station staff should take no more than one non-synoptic (i.e., 15Z or 18Z) sounding immediately after the software is installed. A Mark IIA radiosonde will be used. As an additional training measure, observers should run a simulated observation in the software. Instructions on running a simulated sounding are provided in the RRS Users Guide. 4.0 PHASE II: LMS-6 RADIOSONDE IMPLEMENTATION 4.1 Receipt of radiosondes At least two weeks before the office begins use of the LMS-6 radiosonde, two boxes of LMS-6 sondes (96 instruments) will arrive at the office. Initial shipment of the LMS-6 radiosondes will be handled by Bill Blackmore. Sites are to contact Bill Blackmore and their Regional Office (see Section 6.0) to confirm receipt of the radiosondes. 4.2 LMS-6 Test/training soundings With the SPS software installed, sites should take no more than two non-synoptic (i.e., 15Z or 18Z) soundings for observer training and testing purposes. The soundings should be taken no later than a week before the official transition date to the LMS-6. To take a LMS-6 sounding, site staff must access the RRS Station Data Display and change the sonde type to the LMS-6. The training soundings should only be taken Monday through Friday of the week. Contact Bill Blackmore when the training soundings are planned. Instructions on taking a LMS-6 sounding are provided in the RRS Users Guide. Appendix F of the guide provides instructions on how to prepare and baseline the LMS-6 radiosonde. Let the 3

5 sounding terminate automatically and transmit and archive all data products. Using the RRS Capture Utility, capture the flight data. If time is limited and a balloon release cannot be made, a LMS-6 should be prepared and baselined with the RRS. The observation can then be aborted (and the sonde shut-off and put aside for later use) once the Waiting for Balloon Release display appears. After a test flight is completed, access the RRS Station Data Display and change the sonde type back to the Mark IIA. After the test soundings are completed a brief Public Information Statement (PNS) will be sent via AWIPS or other means notifying data users of the radiosonde change and the date and time of the first official observation with the LMS-6. If any problems are noted during the test sounding, please contact Bill Blackmore immediately. 5.0 OPERATIONAL USE OF THE LMS-6 RADIOSONDE Operational use of the LMS-6 will begin when the supply of the Mark IIA radiosondes at the office has dropped to near zero or as authorized by Bill Blackmore, WSH. The transition date should occur only Monday through Friday of the week. If severe weather is expected the transition to the LMS-6 should be postponed to a later date. To begin use of the LMS-6 site staff must access the RRS Station Data Display and change the sonde type to the LMS-6. Once the site begins official use of the LMS-6 radiosonde, Bill Blackmore will be notified of the date and time. The following are general instructions and information on the use of the LMS-6 (1) Once the office begins operational use of the LMS-6, use of other radiosonde types is prohibited unless authorized by WSH. The office will initially receive two boxes of radiosondes ordered by WSH. Subsequent radiosonde orders will be handled by the office or Regional Headquarters. Keep radiosonde supplies between 50 and 180. Do not allow supplies to fall outside this range at any time. (2) The LMS-6 weighs about 100 grams less than the Mark IIA radiosonde. Reduce the nozzle lift as necessary to keep balloon ascent rates between 275 and 350 meters/minute. (3) There are no spare batteries for the LMS-6. If the radiosonde is rejected send the entire unit back to NRC for warranty. DO NOT OPEN THE RADIOSONDE AND REMOVE THE BATTERIES FOR SPARES. (4) Be sure to orient the Temperature and RH sensor booms exactly as stated in the preparation instructions. Failure to do this may result in erroneous temperature and RH data. 4

6 (5) Observers will check the quality of the sonde data just prior to release. If the temperatures are not realistic, reject the radiosonde and start over with another sonde. See the RRS Users Guide for more information. 5.1 Disposition of Mark IIA radiosondes, and supporting hardware. Disposition instructions for any leftover Mark IIA radiosondes, spare batteries will be sent to the office from WSH These items should be packed and put aside in the office. 6.0 PERSONNEL CONTACTS AND ASSISTANCE 6.1 National Weather Service Headquarters Bill Blackmore, Observing SystemW/OPS22, National Weather Service Headquarters Bill will manage all RRS software and LMS-6 radiosonde implementation activities and validation of implementation objectives. Sterling Field Support Center (SFSC) Direct Field Support. If station staff encounter any problems or have questions related to installation and operational use of the software, or LMS-6 radiosonde they are to call SFSC Monday through Friday 10:00Z to 02:00Z (6:00 AM to10:00 PM EDT). Phone: Regional Office Upper Air Program Manager Derek Leeloy, Pacific Region: 5