45th SW Launch Weather Officer interviews with The Weather Channel

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 45th Space Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Kathy Winters, a launch weather officer with the 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, participated in a live on-camera interview with Reynolds Wolf of The Weather Channel, at John F. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Fla., July 9.

Winters discussed Patrick AFB's role in mission launches and is responsible for providing weather support on a daily basis to pre-launch, launch and post launch.

"It is an honor to represent our squadron and wing and to share how the Air Force teams up with NASA to ensure mission success," said Winters. "The interview was a lot of fun, and we were able to speak to the younger generation about what path they can take education-wise to become a meteorologist."

The interview was conducted as part of the Weather Channel's Space Week, which was July 5 until July 12.

Space Week is dedicated to science and space lovers, with out of this world space-themed programming, as well as behind-the-scenes looks at space weather forecasting and how weather affects space exploration, according to weather.com

During the interview Winters also described how weather makes a significant impact in launches and space.

"With the right atmospheric conditions, a rocket can actually trigger a lightning strike," Winters said. "Our weather Launch Commit Criteria protect rockets from triggered lighting. We evaluate any clouds within 10 nautical miles of the launch path to ensure they do not violate our launch commit criteria and cause a triggered lightning risk."

For more information about Team Patrick and its Airmen log on to www.patrick.af.mil. For information about The Weather Channel log onto www.weatherchannel.com.

 

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