Spaceflight Now | Delta Launch Report | Launch weather forecast

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Launch weather forecast
Posted: December 8, 2004

Forecast for Friday, December 10

Issued: Wednesday, December 8
Launch Weather Officer: Kathy Winters, 45th Weather Squadron
Synoptic Discussion: "A cold front will move through Central Florida on Friday bringing clouds and precipitation into the area and colder temperatures for the weekend. Surface winds will increase and become southwesterly on launch day, causing a concern for ground winds. The front will clear the area by Saturday, but strong winds will persist behind the front throughout the day.
"Main concerns on launch day will be violation of ground wind, cumulus cloud, and flight through precipitation rules."
Clouds: Scattered at 3,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 5,000 feet; Broken at 10,000 feet with 5/8ths sky coverage and tops at 14,000 feet; Broken at 25,000 feet with 7/8ths sky coverage and tops at 27,000 feet
Visibility: 10 miles
Launch Pad Winds: Southwesterly from 240 degrees at 15 gusting to 20 knots
Temperature: 75 to 77 degrees F
Relative Humidity: 70 percent
Weather: Mostly cloudy, isolated showers
Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 60 percent
Concerns: Ground wind, flight through precipitation and cumulous cloud rules

Times of note

Friday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Friday's sunset: 5:27 p.m. EST (2227 GMT)
Saturday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Sunday's launch window: 2:32 to 5:28 p.m. EST (1932-2228 GMT)

24- and 48-hour Delay Forecasts

Saturday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 40 percent
Concerns: Ground wind
Sunday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 20 percent
Concerns: Ground wind

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