Forecast for Thursday, February 3

Issued: Wednesday, February 2 Launch Weather Officer: F. Clay Flinn, 45th Weather Squadron Synoptic Discussion: "The trough in the Gulf of Mexico continues to migrate toward the peninsula and will be over the panhandle during the launch period. Expect increasing clouds and isolated showers Wednesday afternoon with the approach of the system. Winds will be Easterly to Southeasterly as we near the launch window with temperatures in the low 60s. "With the trough over the peninsula during the launch window, expect broken to overcast conditions throughout the window and isolated showers. There is a small chance of an isolated thunderstorm. The main concerns for launch day are thick clouds and disturbed weather. "In the event of a 24-hour delay, conditions improve as the low pressure system is expected to be East of the peninsula and the atmosphere begins drying; however, thick low level clouds with the close proximity of the low are expected along with a tighter pressure gradient with gusty Northwest winds. There is a small chance of thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening as the trailing frontal boundary moves through the area." Clouds: Stratocumulus Broken at 2,000 feet with tops at 6,000 feet; Altocumulus Broken at 10,000 feet with tops at 14,000 feet; Cirrus Overcast at 24,000 feet with tops at 30,000 feet Visibility: 7 miles Launch Pad Winds: Southeasterly from 130 degrees at 10 gusting to 15 knots Temperature: 63 degrees F Relative Humidity: 95 percent Weather: Isolated Showers Solar Activity: Low Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 80 percent Concerns: Thick clouds, disturbed weather, isolated showers

Forecast for 24-hour delay

Friday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 60 percent Concerns: Thick clouds, gusty northwest winds