METEOROW
PART FIVE
Yoke D-

1. Introduction
On the days followingX-F@ Day, the weather situationwas characterized by a slow change from tha pNv~U%

southe-terly flow of the

equatorial air in the lower atmospheric layers to a more normal
easterly h

northeasterlyflow. The trade winds blew with moderate

velocities of 15 to 18 knots but the anti-trades above 30,000 feet
occasionallyreached speeds of ~ knots. There was also a high
frequency of occurrence of west-northwestwinds in the anti-trades
at levels between 20,000 d

30,000 feet, a not unusual condition

for this season in the Marshalls. Although the weather conditions
for the days precedi~ Yoke Daywe~

normal ad

typical, the existence

of mat-northwest winds in the mti-trades would cause a possible
hazardous radioactivefall-out if firing were attempted tier these
Prior to Yoke minus th~,
wirricorr,titions.

thre was eleven

impossiblefiring daya because of wind conditions, these being April
19 through 29th. There had to be a definite change in the winds
betoxw the Yoke Day detonation could take place.
2.

Operations
Yoke Day was scheduled for 30 April with H Hour at 0609M. On

the 26th of April, the low, nmdium and high cloudiness increased
rapidly ad frequent moderate showers covered the entire Eniwetok

SECTION XII
44

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