The TROPIC Data Archive: Ready Access to 9 Years of AXBT Data Collected during USAF 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Missions

Grace Rovira-Melendez1, Suwen Jordan Sun1, Jacob L Drogowski1, Shannon G McAllister1, Casey Densmore2, Steven R Jayne3 and Elizabeth Sanabia1, (1)US Naval Academy, Department of Oceanography, Annapolis, MD, United States, (2)WHOI, Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole, United States, (3)WHOI, Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole, MA, United States
Abstract:
Between 2011 and 2019, Training and Research in Oceanic and atmospheric Processes In tropical Cyclones (TROPIC) teams from the U.S. Naval Academy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and USAF 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron deployed nearly 1500 Airborne eXpendable BathyThermographs (AXBTs) during more than 175 flights, including 115 missions into 29 named storms, including 7 major hurricanes. These upper ocean temperature observations were part of a joint, interagency demonstration project to increase the accuracy of hurricane forecasts in coupled numerical weather prediction models. Every profile was collected onboard the aircraft and required manual editing before being sent to the Global Telecommunication System. An extensive review of the observations has been conducted and quality codes have been applied to each profile. Raw profiles were also re-processed using an objective automated signal processor and results are noted. A summary of the ocean profiles and procedure for obtaining the data are presented. Impact of the observations will be presented in a follow-on study.
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