Forecast for Thursday, April 10

Issued: Monday, April 7 Launch Weather Officer: Jim Sardonia, 45th Weather Squadron Synoptic Discussion: "A dynamic weather pattern is expected this week. A strong low-pressure center and associated cold front will push into the Florida peninsula late Wednesday and early Thursday bringing rainshowers, scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds to the local area. Some of these storms may be strong with isolated pockets receiving significant rainfall amounts, high gusts and frequent lightning. There will be a high probability of lightning within 5 nautical miles of SLC 36B when the system moves through Central Florida late Wednesday. The surface front is expected to move through the local area prior to the opening of the launch window on Thursday, however low-level winds will remain gusty behind this front and residual cloud cover may pose a challenge to the Launch Commit Criteria. "The main concern for launch day (Thursday evening) will be gusty surface winds greater than the 25 knot launch constraint with a secondary concern for residual Thick Cloud Layers after the front passes through the area." Clouds: Scattered cumulus at 3,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 8,000 feet; Scattered altostratus at 10,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 14,000 feet; Broken cirrus at 25,000 feet with 6/8ths sky coverage and tops at 27,000 feet Visibility: 7 miles Launch Pad Winds: Westerly from 290 degrees at 16 gusting to 26 knots (as measured at 90 foot tower) Temperature: 64 to 66 degrees F Relative Humidity: 75 percent Weather: Scattered rainshowers early in the countdown Solar Activity: Low Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 40 percent Concerns: Winds greater than 25 knots, thick layered clouds

Forecast for Friday and Saturday

Friday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 10 percent Concerns: Winds greater than 25 knots Saturday's Probability of Violating Constraints: < 10 percent Concerns: Cumulus clouds