long postponement~
day for the mission
have occumed before a suitable
would have arrived*
(b) The wimi conditionsin the Marshall Islscds have
a complex structure which tends to ccwplicate the
radiologicalsafety pattern. Winds blow fzwn the east fmm
.
the surface to near 20,000 feet, then shift to the west
above this level to heights of 50 or 60,000 feet, end
then agaim blow fmm
atratoephere. This
an easterly direction
complex
in the
upper wind structure,when
interpretedinto diffusion of radioactive debfis, requires
a readiness for evacuation of personnel by Navy ships for
evexy test.
(c) l%ere are no known satisfactorymethodologiesfor
forecastingin tropical areas. The nature of atmoepherlc
prwceeses is Incompletely understood and as a result,
the prediction of winds, clouds ad
accccplishedwith a reldable
rain cannot be
accuracy.
Further, becaue of the paucity of existing weather stations
in the Marshall Ishnds, an undertaking of an atomic bomb experiment
in this area requires the support of a very sizeable meteorological
force. The existing weather stations require augmentationby pereonml
and specializedequipment for making very high level ataoepheric
soudings.
!lewstations have to be established generalQ
on un-
inhabited atolls. For the SANDSTONX Operation, approximatelythree
SECTION XXI
67