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You often hear about the many microclimates on the central coast, and understanding these microclimates is especially important for a team of forecasters at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB).
Members of the 30th Space Squadron prepare critical forecasts for launches. You can literally call this rocket science.
The Delta II rocket was launched from VAFB for the last time on September 15, 2018 at 06:02. That day, neither the fog nor the sea layer could anchor the historic flight.
But it's not always the case.
VAFB meteorologists follow every facet of the weather at the base and play a determining role in the fact that a rocket or missile leaves the ground.
"The coverage of the Vandenberg Air Base therefore covers more than 270 sensors and weather systems. Much of the information that we receive from these sensors is displayed on the screens of the Weather Operations Center, "said Captain Kristina Williams, commander of 30 Wing Space Weather Squadron.
The technology is impressive and can be overwhelming at the same time.
One of the instruments is a "wind profiler" that uses sound waves to detect wind speed and direction at different altitudes.
"This information is actually stored in a file that is sent to our security personnel and helps them manage their risks to determine the importance of the launch for the region in the event of an anomaly," said Captain Williams. .
Meteorologists here are competent to monitor several microclimates that cover a base of nearly 100,000 acres.
The launching weather team launches weather balloons twice a day to collect data on the base.
"Some areas of the base may have blue skies without wind and other parts of the base may also be subject to high winds or fog. So we have to use all our systems and sensors to help us predict, "said Williams.
The team is working for 60 days before the scheduled takeoff to create a forecast for the launch day.
Captain Williams says his unlikely fog and visibility would prevent a launch, but other weather and other security risks could prevent it.
"So you can have a blue sky with inflated cumulus but if they are at a specific height in the atmosphere and that a rocket is crossing it, it could trigger a flash," he said. -she explains.
While these meteorologists expect to be more and more busy as new commercial launches begin at the base, they like to be part of the process.
"It's a very difficult job but it can be rewarding to sit on the console with the helmet and listen to all the activity going on and the moment the rocket or missile comes off is a great feeling to know. that we have participated in something so incredible, "Williams said.
The next launch from the base is scheduled for June 12, when SpaceX will send its Falcon 9 rocket into space.
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