widely scattered cirrus. However, the weather reconnaissanceaircraft dispatched to the north ad west of Eniwetok reported large 8mounts of low and medium clouds. The wind structure was improving despite the fact that the surface pressure gradient had not changed appreciably. The critical nature of the winds made it necessary to start the acceleratedballoon run scheduled early. Instead of starting at noon on Zebra minus one, the schedule was altered to start at 06COM. With additiorml sounds at 0830M and 10CM. This permitted the receipt and analyeis of three sourdings prior to the ford. briefing at IMOM ad Zebra minus one. At the 1100M briefing on Zebra minus one the weather forecast remained essentially unchanged. After a careful analysis of the weather reconnaissancereport pfior t~ the 18(IOMbriefing on Zebra minus one it was decMed that centinued favorable cloud conditions would exist for ‘Hn hour. The wind structure had continued to inqmove during the afternoon of Zebra minus one and by 1800M a definite stabilizationend slight increase in velocity was evident and as a result favorable witi condition for Zebra day were forecast with considerableconfidence. Thus at the formal briefing at 1800M with Ccmmmlers, Joint Task Force Seven, the cloud forecast was not changed. The wind prediction called for E to SE directions below 7000 feet and M to RXWfrom 7000 to 50,(X)0feet. During the early evening there was considerable cloucllneason SECTION XII %