Observations in the hurricane boundary layer by an autonomous smart balloon instrument platform

Four autonomous NOAA smart balloons have been prepared at NOAA's Air Resources Lab Field Research Division (Fig. 1). The balloons will be released from the northwest corner of Puerto Rico during August and September 2005 into the inflow of tropical cyclones passing just to the north or south of the island. Ballast control allows the balloons to be positioned low in the atmosphere in the inflow of the storms. Observations will include aspirated temperature and humidity, barometric pressure, GPS position, rain rate, ozone, downward IR temperature, and solar radiation. The observations will be transmitted in real time via satellite cellular telephone and posted to the web. Preliminary results of the analysis of the balloon data sets will be presented, including energy content of the inflow air, estimates of surface fluxes, and evidence of organized eddies. Solar cells will help prolong battery life (Fig 1). If a balloon survives an eye-wall penetration, data on the energy content and ozone concentrations of the boundary layer air in the eye will be presented.

Fig. 1 Randy Johnson and NOAA smart balloon, showing solar panels.