There's plenty of weather data for that area.[1] That's the world's most heavily instrumented area for weather.[2] A huge amount of effort goes into predicting lightning hazards. There are electrostatic field measuring devices for miles around to give warning of pre-lightning conditions.

Right now, there is a major thunderstorm system north of the launch area, and a smaller one south of it. They were trying to launch through the gap.

[1] http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/cape-canaveral-fl/32920/wea... [2] http://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=4&artic...