By Doug Schneider

There will be very little change to the weather pattern through the weekend across the central California coastal area, so each day of the NASA Western States Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca should see similar weather to the day before. A west-northwest flow off the ocean will result in low clouds to the area each morning - the combination of the low level moisture from the ocean and cooling temperatures at night cause water vapor to condense into clouds. But as the summer sun rises and causes mixing of the lower levels of the atmosphere, the clouds will dissipate, leaving mostly sunny skies in the afternoon. No rain is expected as the moisture off the ocean will be confined to a very shallow layer. Temperatures will be really nice throughout the event, with highs each day in the lower 70s. 

By Scott Martin

You almost couldn't ask for a better forecast for this weekend's racing action at Mid-Ohio. Thursday and Friday are going to be absolutely brilliant. Sunny skies and warm with a little breeze to make it even more comfortable. Highs will top out in the lower 80s with winds out of the west at 5-15 MPH. Chance of rain is 0% for both days.

Rain may creep into the forecast for later in the evening on Friday and last throughout the early afternoon on Saturday, as a weak surface trough and a small shortwave cross the area. Saturday's forecast will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of an isolated shower or thunderstorm until 1PM, then mostly sunny afterwords. Highs will reach the lower 80s with winds out of the west at 10-15 MPH. Chance of rain is 20%.

Sunday will be a repeat of Thursday and Friday. Mostly sunny skies and warm with a gentle breeze. Highs will top out in the lower 80s with winds out of the west at 5-10 MPH. Chance of rain is 20%.

By Doug Schneider

There's not too much change to the forecast with today's update for the NASA Western States Championships. It does look like there will be some moisture that will spread northward toward the Monterey Peninsula, and this will bring some clouds on Friday and early Saturday morning. Some models are hinting at some light rain on Friday with this moisture, but I really doubt that it will be enough to squeeze out any measurable precipitation. I'm sticking with a dry forecast. Clouds may linger into Saturday morning, but most of the day should be sunny. Sunday will see plenty of sunshine as well, and temperatures each day will top out the mid 70s. 

By Scott Martin

Not a very difficult forecast for this weekend's events at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course featuring the Indycar Series, Pirelli World Challenge, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, USF2000 series. Mostly sunny to sunny skies will rule the weekend, with only a small chance of an isolated shower or thunderstorm on Sunday. Highs throughout the time frame will be in the lower to middle 80s. Heat index will not be a factor as humidity levels will remain low for this time of the year, as the numbers will closely match the temperatures. Only thing you may have to worry about is sunscreen. With almost maximum sunshine each day, please sunscreen up. Have fun this weekend at Mid-Ohio.
I'm in the middle of moving this week, so my forecast may be short and to the point. I'll have radar up later this week as well.

By Doug Schneider

I have to make a confession - I really dislike forecasting for California. Part of the enjoyment of meteorology is to analyze the weather pattern and try to figure out the most likely scenario that will occur. In California, that scenario is almost always dry and sunny. I should probably be grateful that I have a high probability of making an accurate forecast, but honestly, it's boring. But at least it's great weather for racing!

A big ol' high pressure ridge will be over the western United States next weekend, which will provide nice weather for the NASA Western States Championships. The pattern remains the same for several days in a row, so I don't see much change happening from one day to the next. Every day will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 70s. At Laguna Seca, there's always some potential for morning fog. It's too early to make a call on that, but I'll keep an eye on it as we approach the weekend, and update the forecast as needed.