Recon flying back to base; last decoded VDM below. Note peak SFMR winds only 69kt compared to max flight level winds of 96kt.
Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)
Transmitted: 13th day of the month at 08:12Z
Aircraft: Air Force Aircraft (Last 3 digits of the tail number are 303)
Storm Number & Year: 18L in 2010
Storm Name: Paula (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 4
Observation Number: 16
A. Time of Center Fix: 13th day of the month at 7:40:10Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 20°31'N 86°00'W (20.5167N 86.W)
B. Center Fix Location: 69 miles (112 km) to the SE (129°) from Cancún, Quintana Roo, México.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,981m (9,780ft) at 700mb
D. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind: 69kts (~ 79.4mph)
E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind: 7 nautical miles (8 statute miles) to the SSW (204°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 309° at 62kts (From the NW at ~ 71.3mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 10 nautical miles (12 statute miles) to the SSW (212°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 986mb (29.12 inHg) - Extrapolated
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 10°C (50°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,054m (10,020ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 21°C (70°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,015m (9,892ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 8°C (46°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character: Open, Open ESE
M. Eye Shape: Elliptical (oval shaped)
M. Orientation of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 330° to 150° (NNW to SSE)
M. Length of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 15 nautical miles
M. Length of Minor Axis in Elliptical Eye: 10 nautical miles
N. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
N. Fix Level: 700mb
O. Navigation Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
O. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mile
Remarks Section - Remarks That Were Decoded...
Maximum Wind Outbound: 96kts (~ 110.5mph) in the northeast quadrant at 7:43:00Z
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 96kts (~ 110.5mph) in the northeast quadrant at 7:43:00Z
Sea Level Pressure Extrapolation From: 700mb
Remarks Section - Additional Remarks...
Max outbound SWS NE quad 79kts 07:41:20Z
