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Anomalously-strong jet streak over the Mid-Atlantic states

By Scott Bachmeier •

GOES-16 Upper-level Water Vapor (6.2 µm) images, with 6.2 µm Derived Motion Wind vectors plotted in red, contours of RAP40 model Maximum Wind isotachs plotted in cyan and rawinsonde sites indicated in yellow [click to play animated GIF | MP4]

As an anomalously-strong upper-tropospheric jet streak was moving across the Mid-Atlantic region on 20 November 2022, GOES-16 (GOES-East) Upper-level Water Vapor (6.2 µm) images (above) displayed numerous 6.2 µm Derived Motion Wind (DMW) vectors having speeds of 190 knots and higher — with the jet streak axis passing just to the north of the Wallops, Virginia rawinsonde site (KWAL). Derived Motion Wind speeds as high as 201 knots and 202 knots were seen shortly before the launch of the 12 UTC Wallops sounding.

Plots of Wallops, Virginia rawinsonde data at 00 UTC and 12 UTC on 20 November (below) showed that the maximum wind speeds were at the 213 hPa level (187.8 knots) at 00 UTC and the 206 hPa level (189.8 knots) at 12 UTC.

Plots of Wallops, Virginia rawinsonde data at 00 UTC and 12 UTC on 20 November [click to enlarge]

A plot of 250 hPa wind speed climatology for the Wallops rawinsonde site (from SPC) includes the 12 UTC value on 20 November 2022 (shown by the black circle) — which indicated that the 183-knot value measured during that 12 UTC sounding ascent was the fastest 250 hPa wind speed for the month of November at that site.

Plot of 250 hPa wind speed climatology for the Wallops rawinsonde site, with the 12 UTC value on 20 November 2022 shown by the black circle [click to enlarge]

Categories: GOES-16, Satellite winds