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Launch weather forecast
Posted: April 14, 2008

 Forecast for Monday, April 14

Issued: Monday, April 14
Launch Weather Officer: 45th Weather Squadron

Synoptic Discussion: "The cold front that transited the peninsula Sunday is well to the south with high pressure building into the peninsula. Winds are expected to be gusting in the mid to upper teens by the afternoon hours and increasing near the window gusting in the low to mid 20s, below the 29 kt liftoff constraint. Remnant moisture over the peninsula from the frontal boundary continues a small threat of a thick cloud rule violation.

"The primary concerns for launch day are gusty winds and a risk of thick clouds associated with the remnant clouds transiting the peninsula.

"In the event of a 24 hour delay, a secondary surge of gusty winds associated with a strengthening low pressure system in the Atlantic results in gusty winds late Monday and persisting through Wednesday. There is an increased threat of a thick cloud rule and a disturbed weather rule violation associated with an upper level disturbance over the peninsula and showers over the Atlantic."

Clouds: Cumulus scattered at 6,000 feet with tops at 9,000 feet; and Cirrus scattered at 30,000 feet with tops at 35,000 feet

Visibility: 7 miles

Launch Pad Winds: Westerly from 280 degrees at 18 to 25 knots

Temperature: 70-71 degrees F

Relative Humidity: 70 percent

Solar Activity: Low

Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 30 percent

Concerns: Ground winds and thick clouds

 

 Forecast for 24-hour delay

Tuesday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 60 percent
Concerns: Ground winds and thick clouds

 

 Times of note

Monday's launch window: 4:12 to 5:12 p.m. EDT
Tuesday's launch window: 4:08 to 5:08 p.m. EDT

 

MISSION STATUS CENTER