Atlantis Space Shuttle Launch Weather Looking Poor

Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Update: 11:20am ET

I’ve decided to take the chance of a weather scrub and head for the South Cape Canaveral area for the launch. I don’t want to miss it if it’s a go here at 2:45pm ET.

I have been monitoring 1km visible satellite imagery over the space coast this morning, and some of the clouds have been burning off in the last hour or so. There is a healthy low-level cumulus cloud field developing south of the stalled cold front boundary. Right now it’s looking ok as there is no rain showers or thunderstorms in the 25 mile range of the cape. I’m still worried about the ongoing convection in the Gulf and the high-level debris clouds moving in from the west. Also good heating taking place on the south side of the stalled boundary, and wonder how long before any convection develops along this area.

Clouds and Rain Might Delay Today’s Atlantis Space Shuttle Launch

Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Pad -2/7/08 The same devastating cold front that brought all the deadly tornadoes to the Mid-South on Tuesday is now much weaker, but looks to hinder today’s STS-122 Atlantis Space Shuttle Launch in Florida. The old cold front boundary is sagging into north-central Florida this morning, and is bringing clouds and expected isolated storms this afternoon near the 2:45PM ET launch time. I plan to be up at Cape Canaveral, FL today for the launch if it looks like the weather will clear for the launch window.

NASA has strict flight rules for weather that include limits on cloud height, storms in the area and clouds that could produce lightning. The criteria are set in part by the conditions a shuttle would need if it has to make an emergency landing soon after liftoff.

Weather officers are keeping watch on a front that is currently in the Northern Florida peninsula. Showers are located ahead of the front. The front will remain north of Kennedy Space Center (KSC) by launch time, but there will be cumulus clouds and showers in the area, and possibly an inland thunderstorm. Anvil clouds from thunderstorms that form inland would migrate toward the east coast. The primary concerns for launch time are cumulus clouds, showers, and anvils. The forecast for launch time remains 30 percent for acceptable conditions.

Florida Thunderstorm Chances This Afternoon

If the weather keeps Atlantis on the pad one more day, I plan to turn my attention of the day to the possible isolated strong storm or two along the slowly moving cold front boundary and any coastal boundaries that might interact with it. The severe storm chances are low, but there is still a chance to see some general thunderstorms today, which is very bad for Space Shuttle Atlantis, but good for this Storm Chaser in need of some thunderstorm action. Plus central Florida could use the rain, but I’d rather see Atlantis get off the ground this afternoon and get their delayed mission underway.

Space Shuttle Launch Coverage February 7, 2008

I will update this post with a edit if I plan to depart for Cape Canaveral for the launch if it’s looking like the weather is working in favor of a launch. Then tonight, look for a full video and picture launch blog report if we get Atlantis up there in orbit. If for some reason there is no launch today, they will try again on Friday or Saturday where the weather forecast looks better as long as the front doesn’t stall out over central Florida for days. Stay tuned!