What does ETCE mean in UNCLASSIFIED

The Effects of Tropical Convection Experiment (ETCE) is a research effort that focuses on understanding why tropical cyclones form in certain regions of the Earth. The goal is to improve hurricane forecasting and prediction. It involves using sophisticated aircraft instruments, computer models, and data collection to measure various meteorological variables, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed.

Instruments used in the experiment include aircrafts with Doppler radar, dropsondes, aerial photography and video recorders, satellite imagery capture systems, airborne lidar systems, wind profilers, microwave radiometers and other technologies.

Accurate hurricane forecasting can help save lives by providing people with advanced warnings when a storm is headed their way. Therefore understanding how hurricanes form helps meteorologists predict areas which are more likely to be affected by any upcoming storms. This improved hurricane forecasting also supports commercial shipping activities to make sure they avoid dangerous waters when storms are near.

ETCE research helps protect lives by providing better predictions for landfall locations of upcoming storms so people can take necessary precautions before they hit. Having accurate information about hurricane intensity in advance allows people enough time to evacuate if needed or put measures into place to guard against flooding or property damage. Ultimately this research significantly improves response times and enhances public safety efforts while minimizing impact on property or loss of life.

Scientists collect a wide range of data during ETCE experiments including ambient pressure levels at altitude; air temperature; relative humidity; surface dew points; infrared radiation from surface features like clouds; solar radiation levels; wind speed and direction both above and near the ground surface. Additionally different types of droplets (raindrops/cloud droplets) can be measured along with concentrations of aerosols present in the atmosphere.

Previous experiments have taken place primarily in the tropics including Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Dominican Republic as well as Andros Island in the Bahamas. Other localized studies have been done off North Carolina’s Outer Banks as well as Mobile Bay region off Alabama's Gulf Coast.

Experiments typically involve special scientific missions flown aboard specially equipped planes such as propped-turboprops like C-130 Hercules aircrafts or jet propelled WC-130J Hurricane Hunters flown by the Air Force Reserve Command 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.