As the cars take to the track at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday night for qualifying for the Daytona 500, all eyes remain focused on the less than promising weather forecast for the weekend that could impact the running of the Great American Race on Sunday.
Here's the latest update for Daytona Beach from the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
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Will it rain at the Daytona 500 and other Speedweek races?
The latest forecast model update now indicates a 70% to 80% chance of rain from Saturday into Sunday morning in Daytona Beach, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
That doesn't bode well for a full slate of Saturday races that includes final Cup Series practice (10:30-11:20 a.m.); Xfinity Series Qualifying (11:30 a.m.); ARCA Menards Series, Daytona ARCA 200 (1:30 p.m.); and the Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300, at 5 p.m
For Sunday's 2:30 PM Daytona 500, rain chances have now dropped from 70% earlier this week to 50%, according to the expanded forecast. However, scattered showers are still possible throughout the day, said Collie Fehling, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“On Sunday, the forecast is for scattered rain throughout the day, into the afternoon,” Fehling said, adding that there was still some disagreement at this point between forecast models.
“One model has a slightly southward front and keeps most of the rain south of Cape Canaveral through Sunday afternoon, but another model has widespread rain (in Daytona Beach) on Sunday,” he said.
What factors contribute to a rainy weekend forecast?
The potential for significant rain is linked to a cold front that is expected to sweep through the area from Saturday to early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
“There is a low pressure system tracking deep south and the North Carolina-Virginia region, bringing a cold front across the southeastern and eastern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday morning,” Fehling said. “The highest rain chances now are Saturday night into early Sunday morning.”
During that period, rainfall is likely to be heavy, Fehling said.
“Right now, there is about a 30-40% chance that Daytona Beach will receive more than an inch of rain over a 24-hour period from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday,” he said. “Hopefully things will improve on Sunday, which is what the guidance now suggests.”
With the front's arrival, weekend temperatures are expected to reach highs in the upper 60s on Saturday and a little cooler in the lower 60s on Sunday. Overnight lows are expected to be in the 50s. Additionally, winds from the northwest are expected to be brisk on Sunday, with 20 mph gusts possible.
The good news for Speedweek fans is that skies are expected to be sunny through Friday, with a slight chance of rain of up to 20% through Friday night.
Here's the daily weather forecast for Speedweek, Daytona 500
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Partly cloudy at night, with southeast winds around 55 mph, then becoming west-southwesterly after midnight.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. A 20% chance of rain after 1 a.m., with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.
Saturday: Showers likely. Partly cloudy, with a southwest wind near 69. West 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is 70%, rising to 80% at night. North winds at night will be 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Sunday: 50 percent chance of showering. Mostly cloudy, with highs reaching 63 mph. Winds northwest at about 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20% overnight, low around 50. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Daytona Beach Radar
Daytona 500 Schedule: Speedweek Events
Wednesday 14 February: Cup Series, Daytona 500 pole qualifying, 8:15 p.m
Thursday 15 February: ARCA Menards Series Practice, 4:05-4:55 p.m.; Craftsman Truck Series Training, 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. (approximately)
Friday 16 February: ARCA Menards Series Qualifiers, 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 the Florida 250, at 7:30 p.m
Saturday 17 February: Cup Series final practice, 10:30-11:20 a.m.; Xfinity Series qualifying, 11:30 a.m.; ARCA Menards Series, Daytona ARCA 200, 1:30 p.m.; Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300, 5 p.m
Sunday 18 February: The 66th Daytona 500, 2:30 p.m
