A leading Japanese daily says North Korea is likely to launch its long-range rocket on Thursday given current weather conditions.

The Sankei Shimbun reported Wednesday that although there is a high possibility the North will hold the launch closer to Saturday based on its political agenda, rocket launches are significantly determined by the weather.

The report said Japan’s weather agency mobilized a super computer to analyze weather conditions around the North’s missile launch pad at Tongchang-ri. The agency forecast cloudy skies for Friday and Monday, and clear skies for Saturday and Sunday.

The North announced last month that it is planning to launch a long-range rocket sometime between Thursday and Monday.

Japan’s Defense Ministry has decided to remain on alert as it believes the North is highly likely to launch its rocket on Thursday since clear skies are projected.

A ministry official further explained that when North Korea announced the launch could take place from Thursday, it was implied that Thursday was the designated launch date. The official said it's only common sense to view the plan in this light, noting the other days through the 16th are merely back up.