33 TFW(P) DESERT STORM HISTORY

File: aabec_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 2
SUBJECT:  33 TFW(P) DESERT STORM HISTORY - WEATHER INPUT,
		FEBRUARY 22-28, 1991

FROM: 33TFW/WE 						28 Feb 91

TO: 33TFW/HQ

SUBJ: Operation Desert Storm History 22 Feb 91 - 28 Feb 91

 	Day 37 of the war began with high pressure still dominating the northern
AOR. Skies were mostly clear throughout and there was some patchy morning fog
over Kuwait and southeast Iraq that quickly diminished after sunrise, Smoke
from Kuwaiti fires was becoming a big factor in the operation. With northerly
winds in the northeastern AOR, layer of smoke 5,000 ft thick were being blown
by northerly wind along the northeast shores of Saudi Arabia reducing visibil-
ities at coastal locations.  Except for the extreme southeast portion of Kuwait,
smoke did not inhibit air operations in the war area. High pressure began to
weaken through the day and a very strong and persistent low pressure system
began to entrench itself in the eastern Mediterranean and kicking out shortwaves
(low pressure areas) through the northern AOR. By mid-afternoon the first of
the short waves had entered northwest Saudi Arabia bringing extensive clouds,
gusty winds and a few rainshowers.  In the local areas, winds gusted up to twenty
knots causing some localized areas of blowing sand that had no effect of local
missions.
 	Day 38 (23 Feb 91}began with the. first shortwave weakening through central
Iraq leaving only patchy areas of clouds to be contended with but the main low
in the Mediterranean remained strong. Another problem area was a developing
in the form of an area of cloudiness over southern Egypt associated with the
subtropical Jet stream. It was organizing and beginning to spill clouds into
north-central Saudi Arabia. High pressure was still dominating northeastern
Saudi Arabia, keeping winds out of the west-northwest and more importantly,
keeping smoke from moving over the possible battle area. With a ground war
imminent, weather looked to be good, given the position of the high with no
fog or stratus in the KTO forecasted for morning. Thus, it did not seem that
weather would be a factor for the start of ground operations. But, through the
late afternoon and evening hours, the area of clouds over northern Saudi Arabia
began to increase and organize into a more organized low pressure area.  Weather
in the local area was very hazy, but had no effect on local operations.
	Day 39 saw the beginning of ground operations and the quick departure of
the high pressure system that had been bringing great weather to the north
eastern AOR. The now developed low pressure system was moving rapidly toward
Kuwait in almost a response to the allied ground attack.  Extensive cloud cover,
gusty winds, and periods of rainfall accompanied this system into the KTO during
the morning hours. Sandstorms were experienced and I'm sure it had some effect
on operations, Another problem with this change in the weather was that the
main wind flow was now from the east-southeast over the KTO, thus the thick area
of smoke, now as high as 10,000 ft, was being blown toward the northwest into
the Euphrates river valley through southern Baghdad and by the end of the day it
had reached the northern Saudi city of Arar. This effected bombing missions
in these regions in that pilots could not see their targets through the thick
smoke.  By afternoon, the clouds had cleared over Kuwait, but it was to be for
only a short time as another area of clouds and low pressure formed ever
northwestern Saudi Arabia. With the development of the new low pressure area,
clouds increased and winds began to get quite gusty in the local area.
	Day 40 began with the strongest winds experienced in our area since our
arrival. Winds gusted up to 38 knots and caused areas of blowing sand that
didn't effect takeoffs and landings. Some minor damage was reported on base in
the form of a DECON tent being blown over, but nothing more serious. Winds
remained very gusty through the day, but visibilties stayed good. In the rest
of the AOR, the weather wasn't all that much better.  With this low a very large