Hurricane Ian nears Cuba on path to strike Florida as Cat 4

[Cheezoholic]

21. For instance heres a real time VDM

Been away for a few hours but on VDM's the most important lines for a strengthening storm are Line P and Line Q. The bigger that spread is in temp the faster the pressure is going to drop...


Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KBIX)
Disseminated Through: Keesler AFB, backup for KNHC (TPC/NHC)
Transmitted: 27th day of the month at 1:33Z
Agency: United States Air Force
Aircraft: Lockheed WC-130J Hercules with reg. number AF96-5301
Storm Name: Ian
Storm Number & Year: 09 in 2022 (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 18
Observation Number: 14

A. Time of Center Fix: 27th day of the month at 1:02:30Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 21.02N 83.39W
B. Center Fix Location: 98 statute miles (158 km) to the S (169°) from Pinar del Río, Cuba.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,799m (9,183ft) at 700mb
D. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 964mb (28.47 inHg)
E. Dropsonde Surface Wind at Center: From 145° at 21kts (From the SE at 24mph)
F. Eye Character: Closed
G. Eye Shape & Diameter: Circular with a diameter of 18 nautical miles (21 statute miles)
H. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 79kts (90.9mph)
I. Location & Time of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 12 nautical miles (14 statute miles) to the WNW (298°) of center fix at 0:59:00Z
J. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 47° at 68kts (From the NE at 78.3mph)
K. Location & Time of the Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 19 nautical miles (22 statute miles) to the WNW (303°) of center fix at 0:57:00Z
L. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Outbound: 69kts (79.4mph)
M. Location & Time of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Outbound: 15 nautical miles (17 statute miles) to the SE (136°) of center fix at 1:08:30Z
N. Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: From 215° at 88kts (From the SW at 101.3mph)
O. Location & Time of the Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: 20 nautical miles (23 statute miles) to the SE (136°) of center fix at 1:10:00Z
P. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 9°C (48°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,047m (9,997ft)
Q. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 17°C (63°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,050m (10,007ft)
R. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 2°C (36°F)
R. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
S. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
S. Fix Level: 700mb
T. Navigational Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
T. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mile

Remarks Section:

Maximum Flight Level Wind: 91kts (~ 104.7mph) which was observed 22 nautical miles (25 statute miles) to the NE (50°) from the flight level center at 23:31:30Z