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Experiment Design and Observational Requirements

As noted above, EPIC2001 will study the atmosphere and the ocean mixed layer in a north-south section through the east Pacific Hadley circulation, with an extension into the stratus region to the southeast. This section will take advantage of the availability of data from the existing line of TAO buoys along $95^{\circ} \mbox{ W}$. The number and capabilities of these buoys will be enhanced in time for the EPIC2001 field phase, which is tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2001. Enhancements to the TAO buoys include measurements of precipitation, radiation, and high quality barometric pressure in the atmosphere and additional oceanographic measurements as well. In addition, three new buoys are planned so as to extend measurements as far north as $12^{\circ} \mbox{ N}$ and to fill a gap at $3.5^{\circ}
\mbox{ N}$ (Meghan Cronin, personal communication).


  
Figure 8: Schematic illustration of core facilities requested for EPIC2001.
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The EPIC2001 core effort plans to use two manned research aircraft, the NCAR Electra and a NOAA WP-3D. These will most likely be deployed from Huatulco, Mexico ( $16^{\circ} \mbox{ N}$, $96^{\circ} \mbox{ W}$), with Acapulco, Mexico as an alternate, but somewhat less desirable base. The Electra will be used to study atmospheric convection as well as mesoscale atmospheric boundary layer and ocean mixed layer structure in the ITCZ, while the WP-3D will document the ITCZ inflow region and ocean mixed layer as far south as the equator. In addition, pilotless Aerosonde aircraft will be deployed from the Galapagos Islands ( $1^{\circ} \mbox{ S}$, $91^{\circ} \mbox{ W}$) to study the atmospheric boundary layer both north and south of the equator. A NOAA ship, the Ron Brown, has been requested for atmospheric and oceanographic measurements in both the ITCZ region and its inflow, and in the southern hemisphere stratus region. A Mexican oceanographic ship will be used to deploy drifters in the east Pacific warm pool, to make atmospheric soundings, and possibly to deploy CORC floats. An additional ship may be requested to make measurements within $100 - 200 \mbox{ km}$ the Ron Brown in the ITCZ in order to understand the factors which produce small-scale variability in SSTs. Advantage will be taken of enhanced monitoring of the east Pacific from TAO buoys on the $95^{\circ} \mbox{ W}$ line and an IMET buoy to be deployed in the southern stratus region. The requested facilities are illustrated in Figure 8.

The scientific roles of the above-mentioned core platforms are as follows:

Data from these facilities will be augmented by long-term monitoring efforts supported by NOAA's PACS (Pan American Climate Studies) program, by various satellite remote sensing tools, and by international efforts associated with the VAMOS (Variability of the American Monsoon System) project. These include the following:


next up previous
Next: Project Management Structure Up: EPIC2001: Overview and Implementation Previous: Specific Scientific Objectives
D. J. Raymond
1999-12-13