LIVE: STS-116 Landing Weather

[rdale]

Showers getting stronger SW of KSC, winds picking up at Edwards - seems pretty straightforward to go to NOR.

[sts1canada]

Looking at the radar loop for the past hour, the showers in central FL west of KSC appear to be moving more NNE instead of NE and they appear to be staying clear of the KSC area, not sure why they are concerned about them moving in the 30 naut. mile circle around the SLF at landing time.

Richard

[Avron]

Question is will the trend of the showers stay out of the 30 NM area.. like we see now?

[rdale]

KSC showers are weakening - scary to say go ahead but it's possible

[rdale]

sts1canada - 22/12/2006  4:15 PM

not sure why they are concerned about them moving in the 30 naut. mile circle around the SLF at landing time.

30 miles takes you to the eastern suburbs of Orlando - these showers clearly are headed into the cone, the question is only 'do they die'

[Avron]

Rob.. called it again

[sts1canada]

I am not saying that the showers won't reach KSC but she should be on the ground when they pass over. I have been watching the radar loops through the SMG group website since 2 PM EST for the shower trends, most of the showers have stayed in central FL during this time moving NNE. I suspect they will quickly (within a couple of hours after landing) tow Discovery into OPF-3 to avoid the convective weather activity that they expect down there in the late evening/early morning hours as a cold front approaches the area (the forecast discussion for the Melbourne CFWA talks about some stormy weather down there for the holidays).

Richard

[Avron]

Any change on the radar loops?

[rdale]

Closest precip is in Kississimmee (40mi) and should stay on the west side of the circle if at all, next area still fading as it approaches.

[sts1canada]

Avron, the cluster of heavy showers that poses the most threat to KSC is currently south of Orlando between Orlando and Sebring moving towards Orlando in a NNE direction, should stay clear of KSC , have a look for yourself here at this link:

http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=MLB&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=yes

Richard

[rdale]

Should be good to go - showers will be within the 30mi zone but on the southwest side of the circle, and no lightning.

[rdale]

510pm TTS: Few 2000, Few 8000, Few 14000, OVC 25000. Winds N: SE 15G23, C: SE 17G21, S: SE13G21

[rdale]

Showers are within the 30mi radius but not in the glidepath.

[rdale]

Edwards AFB ended up good after all, northwest winds at 13kts reported, and of course WSMR was good...