Product: NOAA Vortex Message (URNT12 KWBC)
Transmitted: 28th day of the month at 18:16Z
Aircraft: Lockheed WP-3D Orion (Reg. Num. N43RF)
Storm Number: 12
Storm Name: Katrina (flight in the North Atlantic basin)
Mission Number: 18
Observation Number: 05
A. Time of Center Fix: 28th day of the month at 17:55Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 26°20'N 88°39'W (26.3333N 88.65W) (View map)
B. Center Fix Location: 266 miles (428 km) to the SSE (161°) from New Orleans, LA, USA.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,242m (7,356ft) at 700mb
D & E. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind: Not Available
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 140° at 160kts (From the SE at ~ 184.1mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 22 nautical miles (25 statute miles) to the NE (50°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 902mb (26.64 inHg)
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 14°C (57°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,050m (10,007ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 29°C (84°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,064m (10,052ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 6°C (43°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character: Closed Wall
M. Eye Shape & Diameter: Circular with a diameter of 25 nautical miles (29 statute miles)
N. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind and Pressure
N. Fix Level: 700mb
O. Navigation Fix Accuracy: 1 nautical mile
O. Meteorological Accuracy: 2 nautical miles
Remarks Section:
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 160kts (~ 184.1mph) in the northeast quadrant at 17:43Z
Radar Presentation: Excellent

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General Notes About Vortex Messages:
- Reported winds are usually averaged over a 10 second period. (NHC advisory wind speeds are the highest expected winds averaged over a 1 minute period.)
- The maximum flight level temperature outside the eye (item I.) "is taken just outside the central region of a cyclone (i.e., just outside the eyewall or just beyond the maximum wind band). This temperature may not be the highest recorded on the inbound leg but is representative of the environmental temperature just outside the central region of the storm."
- The maximum flight level temperature inside the eye (item J.) is the "maximum temperature observed within 5 nm of the center fix coordinates. If a higher temperature is observed at a location more than 5 nm away from the flight level center (item BRAVO), it is reported in Remarks, including bearing and distance from the flight level center."
(Quotes from National Hurricane Operations Plan - NHOP)