Artemis II: How the weather will be a crucial factor in the launch - BBC Weather

## Summary
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Nasa's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sits on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on 31 March in anticipation of lift off By Simon King Lead Weather Presenter Published 30 March 2026 47 Comments Updated 5 hours ago Nasa hopes to launch the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, but weather may decide if the Artemis astronauts actually take off. Image caption, There are rules around the type of cloud, lightning and electrical field, weather and temperature around Cape Canaveral that need to be cleared before the weather officer gives a 'go for launch' Weather forecasts for launches are provided by the 45th Weather Squadron where Mark Burger, primary launch weather officer for Artemis II has been monitoring conditions for months. "Our job is to ensure, from a meteorological perspective, that it is safe to launch", he said. Published 6 hours ago The personal items the Artemis II crew are taking to the Moon Published 1 day ago Other events , external such as heavy rain, strong winds, high or low temperatures or extreme weather can also jeapordise a rocket launch. Image source, Department of Defense (DoW) Image caption, Launch weather officer for Artemis II, Mark Burger looking at weather data to provide up to date forecasts for launches "I'm very excited... it is the culmination of a lifelong dream being able to do this and take part in this whole mission," said Burger.

## Article Content
Image source,
Getty Images
Image caption,
Nasa's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sits on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on 31 March in anticipation of lift off
By
Simon King
Lead Weather Presenter
Published
30 March 2026
47 Comments
Updated 5 hours ago
Nasa hopes to launch the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, but weather may decide if the Artemis astronauts actually take off.
If the conditions aren't right then the space agency's meteorologists will be the ones to "scrub" or cancel the launch attempt.
The Artemis II rocket contains nearly 750,000 gallons of propellant, so lightning is one of the biggest risks to safety.
So what are the chances of the weather delaying the launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida?
Image source,
Getty Images
Image caption,
Thunderstorms like this one hitting the Kennedy Space Center in March 2025 will delay rocket launches due to safety concerns
April showers
With the launch window opening up on 1 April at 18:24 EDT (23:24 BST) and lasting for two hours, a threat of convective - known as cumulus - cloud, showers, strong winds and even solar activity is being closely monitored.
In Florida the spring sunshine is now bringing more heat and warmer days. Meanwhile, high pressure in the western Atlantic is producing an easterly breeze blowing from the ocean, bringing increased moisture to the eastern coast of Florida.
This combination of heat and moisture can lead to lots of cumulus cloud developing. As these grow thicker, they bring the threat of showers and thunderstorms.
Official Nasa forecasts suggest the weather will be 80% favourable for launch within the two hour window.
It is hoped that any clouds or strong winds may stay far enough away to allow the rocket to get airborne and safely through Earth's atmosphere.
If not, 2-6 April are also potential launch days.
Image caption,
There are rules around the type of cloud, lightning and electrical field, weather and temperature around Cape Canaveral that need to be cleared before the weather officer gives a 'go for launch'
Weather forecasts for launches are provided by the 45th Weather Squadron where Mark Burger, primary launch weather officer for Artemis II has been monitoring conditions for months.
"Our job is to ensure, from a meteorological perspective, that it is safe to launch", he said.
Rocket launches can be impacted by different 'weather rules' which need to be met before the launch weather officer on duty can give the 'go' decision on weather.
Historically, almost half of all rocket launches that end up scrubbed have been a result of unsafe weather, said Burger.
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Weather risks
The weather rules include atmospheric electricity, types of cloud, specifically cumulus and disturbed weather like rain or strong winds.
Using a percentage chance of a violation of the rules, launch weather officers use a combination of meteorological and climatological data, local knowledge, and experience to forecast this probability.
Lightning is one of the biggest risks, but it is not only the natural lightning from a thunderstorm - or cumulonimbus cloud - that forecasters will be concerned about.
Rocket-induced lightning from an enhanced atmospheric electric field is also a major risk.
"Some types of clouds, even if they're not producing lightning, carry an electrical charge where a rocket passing through them at high speeds with a trail of exhaust can act like a lightning rod and trigger a lightning strike," said Burger.
This rocket-induced lightning can be triggered much more easily than natural lightning.
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Other events
,
external
such as heavy rain, strong winds, high or low temperatures or extreme weather can also jeapordise a rocket launch.
Throughout a countdown the launch weather officer must be clear and convinced that none of the weather criteria are violated in order to give the weather 'go' call for launch.
Ahead of the Artemis launch window, the 45th Weather Squadron will not only be looking at conditions at Cape Canaveral but also in other areas such as potential recovery sites in the North Atlantic where "the weather is not particularly favourable at this time of year" in case things go wrong.
With the peak in the
solar cycle
, they will also be keeping an eye on solar activity and enhanced radiation which could affect the astronauts.
Image source,
Department of Defense (DoW)
Image caption,
Launch weather officer for Artemis II, Mark Burger looking at weather data to provide up to date forecasts for launches
"I'm very excited... it is the culmination of a lifelong dream bein

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Thunderstorms like this one hitting the Kennedy Space Center in March 2025 will delay rocket launches due to safety concerns April showers With the launch window opening up on 1 April at 18:24 EDT (23:24 BST) and lasting for two hours, a threat of convective - known as cumulus - cloud, showers, strong winds and even solar activity is being closely monitored.
- It is hoped that any clouds or strong winds may stay far enough away to allow the rocket to get airborne and safely through Earth's atmosphere.
- How and when to see April's full Pink Moon Published 3 hours ago More sightings of the Northern Lights with stunning bright colours Published 24 March Weather risks The weather rules include atmospheric electricity, types of cloud, specifically cumulus and disturbed weather like rain or strong winds.
- Published 6 hours ago The personal items the Artemis II crew are taking to the Moon Published 1 day ago Other events , external such as heavy rain, strong winds, high or low temperatures or extreme weather can also jeapordise a rocket launch.

### Areas for Consideration
- Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Thunderstorms like this one hitting the Kennedy Space Center in March 2025 will delay rocket launches due to safety concerns April showers With the launch window opening up on 1 April at 18:24 EDT (23:24 BST) and lasting for two hours, a threat of convective - known as cumulus - cloud, showers, strong winds and even solar activity is being closely monitored.
- As these grow thicker, they bring the threat of showers and thunderstorms.
- Rocket-induced lightning from an enhanced atmospheric electric field is also a major risk. "Some types of clouds, even if they're not producing lightning, carry an electrical charge where a rocket passing through them at high speeds with a trail of exhaust can act like a lightning rod and trigger a lightning strike," said Burger.

### Implications
- Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Nasa's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sits on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on 31 March in anticipation of lift off By Simon King Lead Weather Presenter Published 30 March 2026 47 Comments Updated 5 hours ago Nasa hopes to launch the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years, but weather may decide if the Artemis astronauts actually take off.
- If the conditions aren't right then the space agency's meteorologists will be the ones to "scrub" or cancel the launch attempt.
- Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Thunderstorms like this one hitting the Kennedy Space Center in March 2025 will delay rocket launches due to safety concerns April showers With the launch window opening up on 1 April at 18:24 EDT (23:24 BST) and lasting for two hours, a threat of convective - known as cumulus - cloud, showers, strong winds and even solar activity is being closely monitored.
- This combination of heat and moisture can lead to lots of cumulus cloud developing.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers weather, launch, artemis topics. Notable strengths include discussion of weather. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1001.