Forecast for Saturday, December 9

Issued: Friday, December 8 Launch Weather Officer: Kathy Winters, 45th Weather Squadron Synoptic Discussion: "High pressure is migrating into the Eastern U.S., increasing the pressure gradient over Central Florida; therefore, cool, windy conditions will affect Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Friday. By Saturday, winds will gradually decrease as the high pressure area migrates east, but Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) crosswinds worsen as the winds continue to turn northeast. Also, the easterly flow causes concern for low clouds and isolated showers. "Our primary concerns for launch day are SLF crosswinds, a low cloud ceiling, and isolated showers." Clouds: Altostratus broken at 3,000 feet with tops at 5,000 feet and 4/8ths sky coverage; and Cirrus at 20,000 feet with tops at 22,000 feet and 2/8ths sky coverage Visibility: 7 miles Launch Pad Winds: East-northeasterly from 060 degrees at 15 gusting to 20 knots Temperature: 63 degrees F Relative Humidity: 90 percent Weather: Chance of isolated showers Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 70 percent Concerns: SLF crosswinds, a low cloud ceiling, isolated showers

Times of note

Saturday's launch window: 8:42-8:52 p.m. EST Saturday's target liftoff time: 8:47:34 p.m. EST Sunday's launch window: 8:20-8:30 p.m. EST Sunday's target liftoff time: 8:25:02 p.m. EST Monday's launch window: 7:54-8:04 p.m. EST Monday's target liftoff time: 7:59:20 p.m. EST

Forecast for 24-hour delay

Sunday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 60 percent Concerns: SLF crosswinds, a low cloud ceiling, isolated showers

Forecast for 48-hour delay

Monday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 60 percent Concerns: SLF crosswinds, a low cloud ceiling, isolated showers