STS-125: Launch Weather

• #20 by toram on 11 May, 2009 12:41
• Regarding the weather flight rules for TAL -- Yesterday's post was a bit dated and I didn't find anything more recent on a public NASA site.
  
  Ceilings must be greater than 5000'
  Visibility greater than 5 miles
  Crosswind limits are 15 kts (no change for night time)
  Headwind limit is 25kt
  Tailwind limit is 10 kt for the average and 15 kt on the peak.
  No showers within 20 nautical miles but there are some may be allowed under certain conditions if the tops are not colder than -20 deg C (similar to RTLS rainshower rules).
  
  Nice loop of clouds for Europe is here
  http://oiswww.eumetsat.org/IPPS/html/MSG/IMAGERY/VIS006/BW/CENTRALEUROPE/index.htm
  
  I always enjoy this thread 
  
  
• #21 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 13:01
• Clouds decreasing at Moron... Scattered at 3400ft and 4600ft, winds from the WSW at 14mph. The higher clouds had been Broken for the past few hours.
  
  LEMO 111300Z 25012KT 200V300 9999 SCT034 SCT046 23/15 Q1013 NOSIG
  
• #22 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 13:37
• The USAF forecast for Monon has added a chance of a rain shower, but ends that threat at 18Z.
• #23 by psloss on 11 May, 2009 14:21
• METAR obs history from Moron:
  http://uswx.com/us/stn/?code=c&n=60&stn=LEMO
  
  Last posted observation:
  METAR LEMO 111400Z 23012KT 190V270 9999 SCT035 BKN050 22/15 Q1013 NOSIG
  
• #24 by mooora on 11 May, 2009 15:23
• nice satellite loop of spain/portugal
  
  http://www.sat24.com/sp
  
• #25 by Chris Bergin on 11 May, 2009 15:28
• Nice and sunny here.... just saying

  ---

  
• #26 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 16:05
• Still green at Moron: LEMO 111600Z 24013KT 190V280 9999 SCT037 SCT056 22/15 Q1013 NOSIG
  
• #27 by ChrisGebhardt on 11 May, 2009 16:13
• Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11 May, 2009 15:28

  Nice and sunny here.... just saying
  

  
  And here at Kennedy! 
• #28 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 16:58
• STA reports no cumulus clouds really building up around the area but nothing of concern. They checked out the area around the brush fire and the smoke isn't moving towards area. They flew over the cloud right over the pad but it didn't have any moisture.
• #29 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:02
• STA says clouds near pad continue to dissipate.
  
  Moron continues to improve.
  
  LEMO 111700Z 23011KT 200V270 9999 FEW031 SCT042 22/15 Q1013
  
• #30 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:10
• STA says everything south of 39B is pretty clear, they are climbing up a little higher and headed towards the north side to investigate those clouds.
• #31 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:18
• NASA947 says it doesn't appear the sea breeze has set up, the clouds which were north are settling to the south. They are headed into them to determine tops / bases.
• #32 by ChrisGebhardt on 11 May, 2009 17:20
• Wow. It sure looks like the sea breeze front. But then again, looks can be deceiving. Thanks for the update Rdale
• #33 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:22
• I think the sea breeze is there too - I was just relaying 947's reports. They are getting into those clouds now.
  
  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/smg/KSCMNET.htm
• #34 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:30
• For the radar / photog team: Wind speed of 10.9kts at 114 degrees. Deviation of 12 degrees, lapse rate of -1.99*C.
• #35 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:31
• Some clouds extend in a band from west of pad over to LCC, he's headed north to check those clouds out.
• #36 by psloss on 11 May, 2009 17:33
• Just looking at the local radar, the smoke from the fire well north of the area that he was talking about is pretty visible on that.
  
• #37 by ChrisGebhardt on 11 May, 2009 17:36
• Pretty good looking cloud overhead a few minutes ago. Appears to be tracking south.
• #38 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:43
• STA says 33 might be the better choice although he hasn't done dives.
• #39 by rdale on 11 May, 2009 17:44
• Temps near if not above 90 across KSC...