The NWS Spaceflight Meteorology Group issues forecasts in support of Space Shuttle and Space Station operations. Lightning is a critical forecast element for both the Space Shuttle and resource protection at the Johnson Space Center. Space Shuttle flight rules require that no lightning is forecast to occur within specified distances of the Orbiter's flight path during landing. The Space Shuttle flight rules protect the vehicle from exposure to either natural or triggered lightning. In addition, advisories for lightning occurrence within 5 nautical miles of JSC are issued to protect critical communications and computer equipment used for Space Shuttle and Space Station operations. JSC Flight Controllers take precautions based on SMG lightning advisories to isolate JSC communication systems from the possibility of lightning strikes. In addition, power for mission critical computer systems is transferred from commercial power sources to JSC generators upon notification of a lightning advisory.

Various studies have provided radar-based rules for short-term forecasts and nowcasts of lightning occurrence. The likelihood of lightning occurrence, and mean time to the first flash, have been correlated with reflectivity values at certain temperatures in the atmosphere. Derived products from the WSR-88D provide the information needed for using the rules. The NWS's AWIPS display system provides an easy-to-use capability to build displays of the WSR-88D derived products. In particular, AWIPS ability to mosaic multiple radar sites products into a single display has been particularly useful. This paper will review lightning forecasting techniques used at SMG. Case studies demonstrating the use of these techniques on AWIPS will be presented.