STS-92 Launch Weather Forecast 10-02-2000

ISSUED: Monday, October 2, 2000

VALID: Thursday, October 5, 2000

Synopsis: Uncertainty about the movement of Hurricane Keith into the Gulf
of Mexico is the primary factor in the local forecast for Thursday evening.
It currently appears that Keith will re-emerge over the Gulf of Mexico and
move toward the central Gulf Coast. The heaviest rainfall and cloudiness
will be north of the Cape Canaveral vicinity by Thursday evening. A
significant cold front will move into central Florida by late Friday
evening.

The primary concerns for launch day on Thursday will be showers and
cloudiness associated with Hurricane Keith. The primary concern on Friday
will be weather associated with the cold front. If the front moves through
the local area by Saturday the primary concern will be strong post-frontal
wind on Saturday evening. Heavy seas may be a concern in the solid rocket
booster recovery area if delays bring the launch into the weekend.

At the 9:38 p.m. launch time on Thursday:

Clouds: 4/8 – 5/8 scattered to broken at 3,000 feet – 7, 000 feet

3/8 – 4/8 scattered at 25,000 feet – 30, 000 feet

Visibility: 7 miles

Wind at Launch Pad: E to SE at 12 – 20 knots

Temperature: 78 degrees

Relative Humidity: 85%

Weather concerns: Chance of showers

Probability of weather prohibiting launch: 40%

24-hour scrub: 40%

48-hour scrub: 30%

Sunrise: 7:17 a.m. Sunset: 7:03 p.m.

Launch Forecast by USAF 45th Wx Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station