Sea State Pictures

This series of pictures were used by the Meteorologist and Aerographers as a reference to estimate surface wind speed conditions. Since most VW-1's storm penatrations and fixes were during the night time and at low altitude the aircraft landing lights were used on occasion to make these surface observations.

Most pictures also show vertical streaking probably caused by rubbing pictures or other items across the face of the photograph.

To convert nautical miles (knots) to miles multiply by 1.15 i.e. 10 knots = 11.5 miles .. 60 knots = 69 miles.

 

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	From this photo of the typhoon the following information can be determined. The aircraft is 100 Nautical miles (50 mile range markers) North East from the eye of the storm and its current heading is approximately 225 deg., just south of the eye as determined by the aircraft heading marker. The time is 0836 Zulu or about 1736 hrs. Guam time. The assigned VW-1 fix times of storms was at 0900 hrs Zulu and again at 1500Z hrs. Which is 1800 and 2400 hrs Guam time.
	Sea state with surface winds of 8 Kts. If the wind speed is less then 6 Kts no white caps visible; Occasional white caps appear at wind speeds of 7 - 9 Kts. The picture shows severe film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 10 Kts. At wind speeds of 10 - 12 Kts whitecaps become more frequent; occasional small whitecaps are elongated perpendicular to wind direction and carry downwind a short distance. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 12 Kts. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing.
	Sea state with surface winds of 15 Kts. At wind speeds of 13 - 15 Kts whitecaps become larger and more frequent; occasional small patches of foam remain from breaking wavelets. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing.
	Sea state with surface winds of 18 Kts. At 16 - 18 Kts slight traces of wind streaks parallel to wind directin begin to appear; whitecaps and small patches of foam cover entire sea. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 20 Kts. At wind speeds of 19 - 22 Kts. wind streaks become more noticable; secondary wavelets appear on swell crests. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing.
	Sea state with surface winds of 25 Kts. At wind speeds of 23 - 28 Kts. Larger elongated waves form; numerous patches of white foam remain from breaking waves; wind streaks become still more noticable. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing.
	Sea state with surface winds of 30 Kts. At wind speeds from 29 - 35 Kts. larger and more frequent patches of white foam from breaking waves; occasional very large waves mush or flare out downwind while breaking and producing larger patches of white foam. Light spray blowing off breaking waves is carried downwind. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 35 Kts. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 40 Kts. At 36 - 42 Kts. blowing spray becomes more pronounced. Wind streaks appear very prominent but are not continous. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 45 Kts. At wind speeds of 43 - 48 Kts. wind streaks become continous. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing.
	Sea state with surface winds of 50 Kts. At wind speeds of 49 to 59 Kts. wind streaks continue to increase and cover entire sea surface affected by blowing spray. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing..
	Sea state with surface winds of 55 Kts. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 60 Kts. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 65 Kts. At wind speeds of 60 to 75 Kts. the whole sea takes a whitish green cast; large individual patches of white foam and breaking waves are still visible; blowing spray covers entire sea.
	Sea state with surface winds of 70 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 75 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 80 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 85 Kts. At wind speeds of 76 - 100 Kts. sea becomes whiter and whiter from blowing spray and foam. The picture shows some film damage in the upper left corner.
	Sea state with surface winds of 90 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 95 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 100 Kts. At wind speeds over 100 Kts. the sea is completely white with blowing spray and foam, spray and foam assume tumbling, cascading appearence. The picture shows streaking probably caused by rubbing.
	Sea state with surface winds of 110 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 120 Kts.
	Sea state with surface winds of 130 Kts. The picture shows some film damage in the upper and lower left corners.

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