SpaceX Launch of NASA Astronauts Might Be Delayed by Scattered Storms in Florida on Wednesday

Chris Dolce

Published: May 26,2020

The first launch of NASA astronauts from U.S. soil in nine years might be delayed by stormy weather in Florida on Wednesday afternoon.

SpaceX is expected to launch a rocket carrying the Dragon capsule at 4:33 p.m. EDT on Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center in east-central Florida. The capsule will carry NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station.

The SpaceX Falcon 9, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft on top of the rocket, sits on Launch Pad 39-A, Monday, May 25, 2020, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Two astronauts will fly on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station scheduled for launch on May 27. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A tropical disturbance that has brought heavy rain to southeastern Florida the past few days will have pushed north of the state by Wednesday. But Florida's typical late-May warmth and humidity will remain in place, making hit-or-miss afternoon thunderstorms possible near Kennedy Space Center in the hours near launch time.

Conditions for the entire U.S. and Canadian coasts to the North Atlantic Ocean also need to be relatively calm in case the capsule's emergency escape system activates after the launch, according to the Associated Press.

Computer Model Forecast

There is a 60% or greater chance of scattered thunderstorms at Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday afternoon. Winds are forecast to be out of the south or south-southeast at 5 to 10 mph, but locally stronger gusts are possible if any storms impact the launch area.

Temperatures will be in the mid-80s, which is right on par with average highs this time of year.

Hourly Weather Forecast

If Wednesday's launch doesn't go off as planned, SpaceX has backup launch windows scheduled for both Saturday (3:22 p.m. EDT) and Sunday (3:00 p.m. EDT).

Isolated to scattered storms could affect the Florida Peninsula on both of those days. That's typical for Florida this time of year as its moist atmosphere is heated by the sun, contributing to the buildup of clouds and hit-or-miss storms in the afternoon.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.