With Wednesday night's Daytona 500 pole qualifying session underway at Daytona International Speedway, all eyes are on the less-than-optimistic weekend weather forecast that could impact Sunday's race in the United States.
Here are the latest conditions for Daytona Beach from the National Weather Service in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Daytona 500 Weather Update:What are the latest predictions for tonight's duel and Sunday's big game?
Daytona 500 qualifying recap:A look back at Wednesday night's NASCAR qualifying session
Will it rain at the Daytona 500 and other Speedweek races?
The latest update to forecast models shows a 70%-80% chance of rain in Daytona Beach Saturday into Sunday morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologists in Melbourne.
That doesn’t bode well for all of Saturday’s racing, including Cup Series finals practice (10:30-11:20 a.m.); Xfinity Series qualifying (11:30 a.m.); ARCA Menards Series, Daytona Na ARCA 200 (1:30 p.m.); and Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300, 5 p.m.
The chance of rain in Sunday's Daytona 500 race at 2:30 p.m. has dropped to 50 percent from 70 percent earlier in the week, according to the extended forecast. Still, scattered showers are possible throughout the day, said Cole Ferrin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“On Sunday, scattered showers are expected throughout the day and into the afternoon,” Fearing said, adding that there were still some differences between forecast models.
“One model has a slightly southerly front that retains most of the rain south of Cape Canaveral into Sunday afternoon, but the other model has pretty widespread rain Sunday (in Daytona Beach),” he said.
What factors lead to rain on the weekend?
The higher chance of rain is tied to a cold front expected to sweep through the area Saturday into early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
“There is a low pressure system moving across the Deep South and North Carolina-Virginia area, bringing a cold front across southeastern Mexico and the Eastern Gulf into Sunday morning,” Fehling said. “The best chance of rain right now is Saturday night to early Sunday morning.”
Ferrin said excessive rainfall is possible during this period.
“Currently, the chance that Daytona Beach will receive more than an inch of rain in a 24-hour period from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday is about 30-40 percent,” he said. “Hopefully that will be the case on Sunday. That's what the guidance now recommends.”
With the front approaching, weekend temperatures are expected to be in the mid-60s on Saturday and slightly cooler on Sunday, with temperatures in the upper 60s. Nighttime lows are expected to be in the mid-50s. Additionally, northwest winds are expected Sunday, with gusts possibly reaching 20 mph.
The good news for Speedweek racing fans is that the weather is expected to be sunny on Friday, with minimal rainfall on Friday night, with 20% of the total expected.
Here's the daily weather forecast for Speedweek, Daytona 500
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71 degrees. Partly cloudy at night, with low pressure around 55 degrees.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72 degrees. There is a 20% chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low around 58 degrees.
Saturday: Showers possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 70%, increasing to 80% at night. North wind 10 to 15 mph overnight, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: 50% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63 degrees. There is a 20% chance of showers overnight, with a low around 50 degrees.
daytona beach radar
Daytona 500 Schedule: Speed Week Events
Wednesday, February 14th: Cup Series, Daytona 500 qualifying, 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, February 15th: ARCA Menards Series practice, 4:05-4:55 p.m.; Craftsman Truck Series practice, 5:05-5:55 p.m.; Cup Series, Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1, 7 p.m.; Cup Series, Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 , 8:45 p.m. (approx.)
Friday, February 16th: ARCA Menards Series qualifying, 1:30 p.m.; Craftsman Truck Series qualifying, 3 p.m.; Xfinity Series practice, 4:35-5:25 p.m.; Cup Series practice, 5:35-6:25 p.m.; Craftsman Truck Series, Fresh From Florida 250, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 17th: Cup finals practice, 10:30-11:20 a.m.; Xfinity Series qualifying, 11:30 a.m.; ARCA Menards Series, ARCA 200 at Daytona, 1:30 p.m.; Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300, 5 p.m.
Sunday, February 18: 66th Annual Daytona 500, 2:30 p.m.
