I'm working the forecast desk for the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment at the Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine.

The air station is home to several P-3 surveillance squadrons. The Operations Officer of Patrol Squadron 26 just called. His squadron is being tasked for a mission in the vicinity of the Georges Banks.

A suspected drug smuggler has been transiting the area recently. Apparently, a suspicious radio communication was intercepted from a ship located approximately 200 nm southeast of the base. A Coast Guard patrol boat is already in the area looking for the culprit. They want air support for the search effort. This is to be a joint operation with a squadron from the Bangor Air National Guard Base joining the air search.

The Operations Officer, who is coordinating the air search, wants an update on weather conditions for flight departure by 1000 Z. He also wants information on the in-flight conditions to the search area and conditions at the search area starting at 1100 Z. He needs to decide whether his P-3's will be effective in searching for the suspect ship. That means he’ll need accurate analyses and forecasts for ceilings and visibility. He's also going to need continuous updates on expected forecast conditions until dark when operations will be suspended until the next day. So he'll need an forecast outlook for tomorrow as well.

Looks like I have a challenging forecast ahead.