By Doug Schneider

The main change to the forecast for the PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway is the addition of a small chance of showers or thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon. The main question with these showers will be if they will develop before or after the end of the race. The majority of the models indicate showers in the area right around the end of the race, which will be around 1:30 pm CDT. Past this time, the chance of rain increases. But there are some models that bring the showers into the area a little earlier. I think the chance of rain impacting the race is about 20%, while the chance of seeing rain after the race ends is about 50%. This is why I have impact as low - I think the most likely scenario is for the rain to arrive after the race ends. Let's hope that's the case. 

By Doug Schneider

Perfect weather conditions are expected this weekend as the INDYCAR Series moves to Texas Motor Speedway. Showers will be in the area on Friday, but they will be long gone by the time on-track activity begins on Saturday morning. High pressure will be building over the area on Saturday, providing mostly sunny skies, pleasant temperatures, and low humidity. The high pressure center will track east, and this will shift winds around to the south on Sunday. Winds will also be a little stronger on Sunday, mainly between 10 and 15 mph with some higher gusts now and then. Temperatures will be warmer with the south wind, into the lower 80s during the race. 

By: Stephen McCoy

With the previous forecast for St. Pete, the cold front affecting the region was expected to fully move through during the weekend, but timing was not yet clear. Now, the front is expected move through during the afternoon on Saturday. Saturday morning, ahead of the front, there is a slight chance for light, isolated showers as winds from the southwest bring in moisture to the area. Partly to mostly cloudy conditions are also expected Saturday morning, but will gradually clear for the afternoon before increasing overnight into Sunday. Winds won't be as strong as Friday, but will still be around 10-15 mph with gusts at 25-30.

As opposed to the previous forecast, the cold front is now expected to stall just to the south of the Tampa region, becoming stationary until Monday. Winds will shift to the north/northeast, much like what was expected, however cloudy conditions will persist for Sunday morning with more partly cloudy conditions possible for the afternoon. The stationary front will also maintain chances for scattered showers mainly overnight, but could extend into the day. Rainfall will be fairly light with totals only expected less than 1/10". 

By: Stephen McCoy

A low pressure system is expected to form over the southern plains on Thursday, ahead of a strong upper level shortwave trough. Through the remainder of the week, the system will track northeast through the eastern portion of the country, with a strong cold front potentially bringing severe weather to much of the southeast.

For the Tampa area, conditions for the start of the race weekend will be dry, but with relatively strong sustained winds. On Friday, surface winds are expected directly from the South ahead of the aforementioned front, largely coming off the Gulf of Mexico. With little resistance until reaching land, wind speeds over the area may reach upwards of 20-30 mph with potential gusts peaking as high as 40-45 mph during the afternoon. Low level winds coming in from the southwest, also off the Gulf, will result in partly to mostly cloudy conditions through the day. Drier, warmer air just above the 850 millibar level will keep showers from developing over the region, again resulting in dry conditions through the day.

As the low pressure system continues moving up the east coast through the weekend, its cold front is expected to weaken and stretch further to the southwest from the center. This will cause the front to move over the Tampa area either late Saturday or Sunday, which the forecast models are currently somewhat split on. (The included forecast graphic assumes that the front will move through the region overnight Saturday or early Sunday morning.) In either case, showers are possible ahead of the front which could have a slight impact for on-track sessions. Surface winds will shift to the southwest ahead of the front, maintaining similar, but slightly lower, wind speeds from Friday. Behind the front, conditions will clear, with northerly winds bringing slightly cooler and drier air to the region.

It's been a pleasure to complete another year of bringing you weather forecasts for your favorite racing series. 2023 will be the ninth year that Scott and I have been running this site, and we are thankful to have Stephen and Harris join us to expand our efforts and keep it going strong. We truly appreciate all our followers who share in our loves of weather and racing. 

Without further ado, here are the best photos from 2022 that combine our two favorite things - weather and racing! ​Hope you enjoy these photos from some excellent photographers. Have a happy New Year, and we'll see you in 2023!

By Doug Schneider

All eyes on are what will happen with Hurricane Kay and how it might impact the INDYCAR season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. 

Hurricane Kay is forecast to track up the northwest coast of Mexico today and Friday, and weaken to a tropical storm. By Saturday night, it will be off the coast of San Diego, and start to curve toward the west. While the remnants of Kay won't have a direct impact on Monterey, it will have the effect of spreading moisture into the area. Whether there will be enough moisture to produce some rain at the track is uncertain, but it is at least a possibility, so I've added a small chance of rain to Sunday's forecast. I am confident that moisture from Kay will increase cloud cover on Saturday and Sunday, which will make for pleasant temperatures with highs in the mid 70s. 

By Doug Schneider

Hard to believe the INDYCAR season finale is already here. It's been a great season, and the finale should be very exciting with multiple drivers in contention for the championship. The weather should cooperate and not impact the race, but there are some uncertainties to the forecast that aren't shown in the graphic.

A large high pressure system will cover the western U.S. on Friday, and provide a sunny and warm day at the track. Meanwhile, Hurricane Kay will be tracking northward off the west coast of the Baja Peninsula. Below is the National Hurricane Center's forecast for Kay through Saturday. 

As you can see in the graphic, Kay is expected to take a northwesterly turn on Saturday, and it will likely stay well south and west of Monterey through Sunday. The main effect of Kay will be to increase clouds on Saturday and Sunday. I have seen some forecasts that have a chance of showers in the Monterey area on Sunday, based on Kay taking a track that stays closer to the California coast and spreading some moisture into the area. But I think it is more likely that the large high pressure ridge over the western U.S. will steer Kay away from the coast. So I can't completely rule out a shower on Sunday, but I think the chance is very low at this time. I'll have another update posted later this week before the event begins. 

By: Stephen McCoy

The weather pattern for this week over Portland is expected to be fairly stable, but with the possibility of a cold front approaching the region on Saturday. Dry conditions and minimal cloud cover will be present as a result. Some light fog may be possible during the early mornings, but will quickly clear as temperatures increase from morning lows in the 60's to highs in the 80s; temperatures may be slightly cooler on Saturday depending on the location of the front. The front may also bring a slight chance for isolated showers to the region Saturday morning, but will cause little to no impact to the track. Relatively light winds are expected throughout the weekend, shifting from the South/Southwest on Friday to the North/Northwest for Saturday and Sunday.