STS-118 Launch Weather Forecast, issued 6 Aug. 2007 (Forwarded)

STS-118 Launch Weather Forecast

Vehicle: Endeavour
Issued: 6 August 2007 0700 EDT
Valid: 8 August 2007 1831 - 1841 EDT
Launch Weather Team: 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, FL

Synoptic Discussion:
An area of low pressure is located northeast of the Bahamas, and an area of
high pressure is building in over the Gulf of Mexico. An upper level ridge
will build over the Eastern U.S. over the next few days, and the moisture in
the atmosphere over Kennedy Space Center will increase.

On launch day, easterly flow will prevail through the atmosphere, and the
main concern in this weather regime is isolated coastal showers. Also, upper
level winds from the east may bring the anvils from thunderstorms over the
Gulf Stream into the area. Still, overall, the weather pattern is favorable
for a summer launch day. The moisture in the atmosphere gradually decreases
by Friday as upper level winds shift to the north, improving launch weather
conditions.

Our primary concerns for launch day are isolated showers in the vicinity and
anvils from offshore thunderstorms.

Clouds Coverage Bases (feet) Tops (feet)
Stratus 3/8 Scattered 3,000 5,000
Altostratus 2/8 Scattered 6,000 8,000
Cirrus 3/8 Scattered 25,000 28,000

Weather: None
Visibility: 7 miles
Wind: 070 deg @ 8 P 12 KT (60 foot pad winds)
Temperatu 86 F RH: 75% Dewpoint: 77 F

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 30%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Isolated showers, anvils.

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 30%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 5%
Primary concern(s): Isolated showers.

Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 20%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 5%
Primary concern(s): Isolated showers.

Sunrise: 8/0648 EDT Sunset: 8/2009 EDT
9/0649 EDT 9/2008 EDT
10/0649 EDT 10/2008 EDT

Moonrise: 8/0210 EDT Moonset: 8/1700 EDT Illumination: 8 August: 20%
9/0310 EDT 9/1758 EDT 9 August: 12%
10/0414 EDT 10/1849 EDT 10 August: 6%

Next forecast will be issued: 7 August 2007, 0700 EDT