Could clouds give Artemis II a no-go for launch?

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) —They are something we see nearly everyday here in Florida, cumulus clouds. But the puffy, cotton ball-like clouds could delay the April 1 Artemis II launch.

The launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. and continues through 8:24 p.m. During this time frame, the 45th Weather Squadron has noted that cumulus clouds, cloud thickness and wind speeds are the primary weather concerns.

Currently, there's an 80% "go for launch", leaving a 20% probability for a weather scrub. If scrubbed, there are other windows available through April 6.

Your WINK Weather Authority has been following the Space Coast forecast closely. As of now, we're expecting a 20% rain chance at the top of the launch window through 7 p.m., dropping to 10% toward the end of the launch window. Temperatures will fall from the mid-70s into the lower 70s by the end of the window. Winds will be out of the southeast around 10 mph, gusting to 15 mph.

There are strict weather rules for a launch. For example, a rocket can never launch through precipitation.

Another rule: cumulus clouds cannot be within 10 miles. That's because the rocket can actually trigger lightning as it quickly ascends into a relatively colder cloud. (This happened to Apollo 12 in 1969.)

Similarly, cloud thickness can also scrub a launch. Clouds must be less than 4,500 feet thick.

Finally, wind. Sustained winds cannot be above 33 mph at 132 feet. Strong winds at this height could stress the rocket's midsection.

We'll continue to fine-tune the forecast as new weather data arrive!