NASA's Artemis II moon mission faces potential disruption as forecasters warn of a 20% chance of weather violating launch criteria during the two-hour window opening at 6:24 p.m. Wednesday. The mission aims to send four astronauts on a lunar flyby, marking NASA's first crewed moon mission since 1972. Launch officials are monitoring thick cloud cover and surface winds at Kennedy Space Center, where strong east winds and coastal showers are expected through the week. "The weather remains a key variable," said a NASA spokesperson, noting that conditions could change rapidly. The launch window closes at 8:24 p.m. local time, with backup dates set for Thursday and Friday if delays occur. Weather models show persistent high-pressure systems over the Atlantic could bring gusty winds and limited visibility, complicating tracking of the spacecraft after liftoff. Local meteorologists at the National Weather Service are working with mission control to refine forecasts, but uncertainty remains. Thousands of spectators have already arrived at the Space Coast, with overflow parking set up near the Visitor Complex. Channel 9 will provide live updates on the mission and weather throughout the week. The Artemis II crew includes two veteran astronauts and two rookies, with the mission expected to last about 10 days. If launched as planned, the spacecraft will travel 240,000 miles to orbit the moon before returning to Earth. The mission is a precursor to NASA's goal of landing the first woman and person of color on the moon by 2025.