NASA Forecasts 80% Favorable Weather for Artemis II April 1 Launch

NASA's 45th Weather Squadron issued its official forecast for the April 1, 2026 Artemis II launch attempt, predicting 80% favorable conditions at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39B. Primary weather concerns were thick cloud cover and cumulus cloud rules. The four-member crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen — remained in pre-launch quarantine at KSC's crew quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building. Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson briefed the crew on the forecast. The two-hour launch window opened at 6:24 p.m. EDT, with backup opportunities through April 6.