Factual Information 2015:1.7 Meteorological Information/1.7.1

This page contains an extract from the Factual Information released on 8 March 2015

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Summary

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Full Text

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Reference

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Notes

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Summary

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1.7.1 Meteorological Situation

Climatologically for the month of March, the position of the sub-tropical high is located over the Gulf of Thailand. The weather is generally dry with very little clouds. The winds are generally light from the surface to the flight level of 40,000 ft.

Infra-red images taken by the geostationary satellite Multifunctional Transport Satellites (MTSAT) 1R of Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) at 1732 UTC 07 March 2014 (Figure 1.7A below) showed that there were no significant clouds at the last civil radar point at 1722 UTC.

 

Figure 1.7A: Infrared satellite image taken by MTSAT at 1732 UTC 07 March 2014

 

Meteorological radar image taken at 1722 UTC, 07 March 2014 [0122 MYT, 08 March 2014] (Figure 1.7B) showed that no rain occurred at the last civil radar point.

 

Figure 1.7B: Meteorological radar image at 1722 UTC 07 March 2014

 

No lightning discharges were detected by the Lightning Detection System of the Malaysia Meteorological Department at the vicinity of last civil radar point from 1600 to 2159 UTC, 07 March 2014 [0000 to 0559 MYT, 08 March 2014]. Figure 1.7C - blue symbol shows the lightning detected from 1700 UTC to 1800 UTC).

 

Figure 1.7C: Lightning detection map from 1600 to 2159 UTC 07 March 2014

 

The Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) issued at 1600, 1700 and 1800 UTC from Kota Bharu Airport (WMKC), Kuala Terengganu Airport (WMKN), Penang International Airport (WMKP) and KLIA (WMKK) (Figure 1.7D) below did not report any significant weather phenomena.

 

Figure 1.7D: Locations of METAR reports

 

There was no direct observation of the wind conditions at the last civil radar point, the closest upper air observation was at the Kota Bharu Meteorological Station, taken at 1200 UTC, 07 March 2014 and at 0000 UTC, 08 March 2014 respectively, both reported a temperature of -40^oC and wind from the north-east at 15 kt. or less at 35,000 ft.

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Reference

Factual Information MH370/01/15

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Notes

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Other Notes and Version Info (not transcluded)

Version History

6 August 2016 - content added

19 May 2016 - page structure created

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Flight ID

A series of Japanese weather and aviation satellites and GESs. MTSAT-1R and MTSAT-2 satellites are interoperable with Inmarsat satellites.

Coordinated Universal Time

Malaysian Time (MYT) is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) + 8 hours

Kota Bharu Airport (ICAO 4-letter location indicator) (used in AFTN messages)

Kuala Terengganu Airport (ICAO 4-letter location indicator)

Penang International Airport (ICAO 4-letter location indicator)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (ICAO 4-letter location indicator)

Knot - A unit of speed that is equal to one nautical mile (1.852 km) per hour