The White Falcon - 07.05.1993, Side 2

A View from the top... “Today’s weather will be...

By AGCS (AW/SW) Remont Reaves
Command Senior Chief, Naval
Oceanography Command Facility
Most people on Naval Air Station (NAS)
Keflavik, probably believe that our job con-
sists only of keeping the weather channel up-
dated, but that is really a small part of what we
do. First and foremost, our job is to ensure
that pilots flying in and out of NAS Keflavik
have the most accurate weather forecast from
here to wherever their destination might be.
Parameters for their weather briefing include
surface and flight level winds, turbulence,
icing, thunderstorms, temperatures, cloud
visibility, pressure and any waming(s) along
the flight route.
Many of the aforementioned weather para-
meters could produce life threatening conse-
quences for pilots who do not receive the full
scope of enroute weather prior to departure.
Weather is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year job.
Our office is manned around-the-clock with
21 enlisted personnel analyzing charts, inter-
preting satellite and radar imagery. They are
also responsible for drafting and disseminat-
ing warnings and advisories, and providing
U.S. and NATO forces with the environ-
mental services necessary to ensure the saf-
est, most effective operations possible. We
also work closely with Icelandic Meteoro-
logical Office (IMO) personnel to provide
observational information “surface and aloft”
to the base, Iceland, and to a worldwide com-
munications network that is accessible by
other agencies.
Keflavik’s weather, as you may have no-
ticed, is quite variable, particularily during
the winter months. Since Iceland is located
along the primary North Atlantic storm track,
the normal weather pattern includes the fre-
quent passage of low pressure systems.
Overcast skies occur 79 percent of the year;
measurable precipitation can be expected 219
days of the year (60 percent). Gale force
winds occur four to five days each month,
from October through March.
Anyone stationed here should know the
weather is going to be bad a high percentage
of the time, so plan to take maximum ad
tage of the good weather when we havi
Don’t plan on doing only the fun things you
used to do in the States or you may not do
anything at all.
Ask some of the folks in the Rocky Road
Four Wheelers Club, or anyone who enjoys
getting out and enjoying the sights, about
new and exciting things to do. You will find
that there are an unlimited number of inter-
esting places to see with fairly pleasant
weather by which to see it. Frequently, the
temperature inland may be 10 to 15 degrees
higher with significantly less cloudiness than
what we see here on the Reykjanes Penin-
sula. IMPORTANT: Check the weather
while planning your outings to ensure you
have a safe and enjoyable time.
Years from now, after leaving Iceland, you
will probably lament about the weather. But,
don’t forget about the fun-filled, interesting
times. For instance, how many people do you
know that can say they’ve observed the
Northern Lights from the top of a glacier,
hmmm?
The month of May hints at summer
During the month of May, summer begins to
appear as the days grow longer, the fierce winds di-
minish, and the temperatures continue to rise, with
the average temperature climbing six degrees.
A total gain of three hours and six minutes of ad-
the end of the month. There are 16 hours 49 minutes
of daylight on May 1, and 19 hours 55 minutes on
May 31.
Average temperature
Averge maximum temperature
Average minimum temperature
Extreme maximum temperature
Extreme minimum temperature
Dominant wind direction
Average wind speed
Extreme maximum gust
Average snowfall
Maximum 24-hour snowfall
Maximum monthly snowfall
44F/7C
48F/9C
39F/4C4
68F/ 20 C (1988)
21F/-6C (1982)
North-Northeast
13 kts (15 mph)
59kts(68mph,‘57)
1 inch
4 inches(1979)
6 inches
Information provided by the Naval Oceanography Command Facility, Keflavik
Commander, Iceland Defense Force
RADM Michael D. Haskins
Public Affairs Officer
LT Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Fridthrir Kr. Eydal
Chief Petty Officer in Charge
JOC Terry J. Bamthouse
Draftsman
DM2 Danielle J. Kim
Editor
J02 Carlos Bangioanni
Journalist
J02 Colleen “Ghostwriter" Casper
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
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The White Falcon