An md-80 and an E3-awacs triggered TCAS ras while deviating around weather.

Attributes
ACN	965993
Time
Date	201108
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZAB.ARTCC
State Reference	NM
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	E-3 Sentry (AWACS)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance

Narrative:

We had been deviating around weather and were now cleared direct to a VOR and on course. TCAS alerted with 'traffic.' very shortly; a 'climb' RA was issued. The first officer; as pilot flying; very quickly and smoothly disconnected the autopilot and climbed the aircraft to about 32;700; following the TCAS commands. The entire event was smooth and stayed within the TCAS vsi commands.traffic was spotted on the TCAS and visually at our 10-11 o'clock position also at FL320. The E3 awacs was heading northeast and we were flying westbound. At almost the same instant that the TCAS commanded the climb; ATC called and issued us a 30 degree right turn. We were already in a climb and I advised ATC that we were responding to a 'TCAS RA.' at no time was a collision imminent. Lateral separation was about 4-5 miles at the closest point. After the 'clear of conflict' command; we returned to FL320. ATC advised the E3 had also been deviating around weather.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An MD-80 and an E3-AWACS triggered TCAS RAs while deviating around weather.

Narrative: We had been deviating around weather and were now cleared direct to a VOR and on course. TCAS alerted with 'Traffic.' Very shortly; a 'climb' RA was issued. The First Officer; as pilot flying; very quickly and smoothly disconnected the autopilot and climbed the aircraft to about 32;700; following the TCAS commands. The entire event was smooth and stayed within the TCAS VSI commands.Traffic was spotted on the TCAS and visually at our 10-11 o'clock position also at FL320. The E3 AWACS was heading northeast and we were flying westbound. At almost the same instant that the TCAS commanded the climb; ATC called and issued us a 30 degree right turn. We were already in a climb and I advised ATC that we were responding to a 'TCAS RA.' At no time was a collision imminent. Lateral separation was about 4-5 miles at the closest point. After the 'Clear of Conflict' command; we returned to FL320. ATC advised the E3 had also been deviating around weather.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.