The imagined scout descends through cloud during the storm, identifies part of the Japanese formation, and returns before visual detection or interception. Its cruiser sends the report to Admiral Husband Kimmel at Pearl Harbor, who would likely alert Washington as preparations begin. Task Force 3 would then receive orders to maintain contact and send more aircraft toward the reported position. Once the weather clears, repeated close tracking risks warning Nagumo and triggering the Japanese order to turn back. PBYs or other aircraft might also be sent toward the reported position, although preserving secrecy would remain difficult.
Chapter · 33:07-35:58
A storm-covered sighting and the shadowing problem
In the scenario, a cruiser floatplane glimpses Japanese carriers through cloud and reports to Pearl Harbor, beginning an effort to maintain contact without revealing the discovery.