VORTEX DATA MESSAGE AL092012
A. 28/17:42:20Z
B. 28 deg 28 min N
088 deg 50 min W
C. 850 mb 1216 m
D. 59 kt
E. 320 deg 43 nm
F. 054 deg 74 kt
G. 321 deg 43 nm
H. EXTRAP 975 mb
I. 17 C / 1405 m
J. 22 C / 1524 m
K. 20 C / NA
L. SPIRAL BAND
M. E10/80/70
N. 12345 / 8
O. 0.02 / 1 nm
P. AF306 3109A ISAAC OB 24
MAX FL WIND 94 KT E QUAD 15:50:30Z
SLP EXTRAP FROM 850 MB
Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 28th day of the month at 18:16Z
Aircraft: Air Force Aircraft (Last 3 digits of the tail number are 306)
Storm Number & Year: 09L in 2012
Storm Name: Isaac (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 31
Observation Number: 24
A. Time of Center Fix: 28th day of the month at 17:42:20Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 28°28'N 88°50'W (28.4667N 88.8333W)
B. Center Fix Location: 128 miles (206 km) to the SE (145°) from New Orleans, LA, USA.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 1,216m (3,990ft) at 850mb
D. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind: 59kts (~ 67.9mph)
E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind: 43 nautical miles (49 statute miles) to the NW (320°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 54° at 74kts (From the NE at ~ 85.2mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 43 nautical miles (49 statute miles) to the NW (321°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 975mb (28.79 inHg) - Extrapolated
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 17°C (63°F) at a pressure alt. of 1,405m (4,610ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 22°C (72°F) at a pressure alt. of 1,524m (5,000ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 20°C (68°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character (Undecoded): SPIRAL BAND
M. Eye Shape: Elliptical (oval shaped)
M. Orientation of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 100° to 280° (E to W)
M. Length of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 80 nautical miles (92 statute miles)
M. Length of Minor Axis in Elliptical Eye: 70 nautical miles (81 statute miles)
N. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
N. Fix Level: 850mb
O. Navigation Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
O. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mile
Remarks Section:
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 94kts (~ 108.2mph) in the east quadrant at 15:50:30Z
Sea Level Pressure Extrapolation From: 850mb

Air Force
Code: Select all
A. 28/2100,29/0000,0300Z Fix Time (5PM, 8PM, 11PM EDT)
B. AFXXX 3209A ISAAC
C. 28/1930Z Departure Time (3:30PM EDT)
D. 29.0N 89.3W
E. 28/2030Z TO 29/0300Z Time on Station (4:30PM to 11PM EDT)
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT
NOAA P-3
Code: Select all
A. 29/0000Z Fix Time (8PM EDT)
B. NOAA2 3309A ISAAC
C. 28/2000Z Departure Time (4PM EDT)
D. 29.3N 89.6W
E. 28/2200Z TO 29/0200Z Time on Station (6PM to 10PM EDT)
F. SFC TO 15,000 FT