Andrew Yee[_1_]
May 11th 09, 02:29 PM
STS-125 Launch Weather Forecast
Vehicle: STS-125 Atlantis/HST SM4
Issued: 11 May 2009 / 0700Z (0300 EDT)
Valid: 11 May 2009 / 1741-1844Z (1341-1444 EDT)
Launch Weather Team: 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, FL (321) 853-8484
Synoptic Discussion:
Dry conditions continue over Central Florida. Today the high pressure ridge
responsible for KSC summer weather pattern will begin to gradually migrate
to the south, keeping the east coast sea breeze nearer the coastal area.
Cumulus clouds and showers developing along the sea breeze will likely be
slow to build however, allowing favorable conditions for launch. Still, our
primary concern for launch is cumulus clouds developing early along the sea
breeze.
Weather looks less favorable on Tuesday due to a front moving into the area
which increases moisture and instability, as well as creating a chance for
isolated thunderstorms, some of which may be strong.
On Wednesday the front is forecast to slowly migrate back to the north,
causing stronger easterly winds and raising concerns for crosswinds at the
SLF, a low cloud ceiling over the area, and showers within 20NM.
Clouds Coverage Bases (feet) Tops (feet)
Cumulus 2/8 Few 4,500 6,000
Cirrus 4/8 Scattered 25,000 27,000
Weather: None
Visibility: 7 miles
Wind: 120 deg @ 8 P 13KT (60 foot pad winds)
Temperature: 82 deg F RH: 59% Dewpoint: 66 deg F
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 10%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 0%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus clouds
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Anvils, low-cloud ceiling, thunderstorms within 20NM of
SLF
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): SLF crosswinds, low-cloud ceiling, showers/flight
through precipitation
Sunrise: 11/0634 EDT Sunset: 11/2004 EDT
12/0634 EDT 12/2004 EDT
13/0633 EDT 13/2005 EDT
Moonrise: 11/2242 EDT Moonset: 12/0858 EDT Illumination: 12 May: 89%
12/2330 EDT 13/0935 EDT 13 May: 82%
14/0013 EDT 14/1048 EDT 14 May: 74%
Next forecast will be issued: As Required
Vehicle: STS-125 Atlantis/HST SM4
Issued: 11 May 2009 / 0700Z (0300 EDT)
Valid: 11 May 2009 / 1741-1844Z (1341-1444 EDT)
Launch Weather Team: 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, FL (321) 853-8484
Synoptic Discussion:
Dry conditions continue over Central Florida. Today the high pressure ridge
responsible for KSC summer weather pattern will begin to gradually migrate
to the south, keeping the east coast sea breeze nearer the coastal area.
Cumulus clouds and showers developing along the sea breeze will likely be
slow to build however, allowing favorable conditions for launch. Still, our
primary concern for launch is cumulus clouds developing early along the sea
breeze.
Weather looks less favorable on Tuesday due to a front moving into the area
which increases moisture and instability, as well as creating a chance for
isolated thunderstorms, some of which may be strong.
On Wednesday the front is forecast to slowly migrate back to the north,
causing stronger easterly winds and raising concerns for crosswinds at the
SLF, a low cloud ceiling over the area, and showers within 20NM.
Clouds Coverage Bases (feet) Tops (feet)
Cumulus 2/8 Few 4,500 6,000
Cirrus 4/8 Scattered 25,000 27,000
Weather: None
Visibility: 7 miles
Wind: 120 deg @ 8 P 13KT (60 foot pad winds)
Temperature: 82 deg F RH: 59% Dewpoint: 66 deg F
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch: 10%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 0%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus clouds
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 24-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): Anvils, low-cloud ceiling, thunderstorms within 20NM of
SLF
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting launch for 48-hour delay: 40%
Probability of KSC weather prohibiting tanking: 10%
Primary concern(s): SLF crosswinds, low-cloud ceiling, showers/flight
through precipitation
Sunrise: 11/0634 EDT Sunset: 11/2004 EDT
12/0634 EDT 12/2004 EDT
13/0633 EDT 13/2005 EDT
Moonrise: 11/2242 EDT Moonset: 12/0858 EDT Illumination: 12 May: 89%
12/2330 EDT 13/0935 EDT 13 May: 82%
14/0013 EDT 14/1048 EDT 14 May: 74%
Next forecast will be issued: As Required