Safety Investigation Report 2018:1 Factual Information/1.7/1.7.1
SAFETY INVESTIGATION REPORT MH370 (9M-MRO)
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 height of 40,000 ft above sea level.
The infra-red image taken by the geostationary satellite Multifunctional Transport Satellites (MTSAT) 1R of Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) at 1732 UTC 07 March 2014 [0132 MYT 08 March 2014] (Figure 1.7A [below]) showed that there were no significant clouds at the last civil radar point at 1722 UTC, 07 March 2014 [0122 MYT, 08 March 2014].
Figure 1.7A - Infrared Satellite image taken by MTSAT at 1732 UTC 07 March 2014 [0132 MYT, 08 March2014]
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
The meteorological radar image taken at 1722 UTC, 07 March 2014 [0122 MYT, 08 March 2014] (Figure 1.7B [below]) showed that no rain occurred at the last civil radar point.
Figure 1.7B - Meteorological Radar Image at 1722 UTC 07 March 2014 [0122 MYT, 08 March 2014]
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
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 (below) Blue symbol shows the lightning detected 1700 UTC to 1800 UTC, 07 March 2014 [0100 to 0200 MYT, 08 March 2014].
Figure 1.7C - Lightning Detection Map from 1600 to 2159 UTC 07 March 2014 [0000 to 0559, 08 March 2014]
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
The Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) issued at 1600, 1700 and 1800 UTC [0000, 0100 and 0200 MYT, 08 March 2014] from Kota Bharu Sultan Ismail Petra 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
Source: Malaysian Meteorological Department
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 [2000 MYT, 07 March 2014 and 0800 MYT, 08 March 2014] respectively, both reported a temperature of -40oC and wind from the north-east at 15 kt or less at 36,000 ft above sea level.