By Scott Martin
I know its an insane hour of 1:05 AM CDT in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, but I wanted to get the latest updates for the forecast for all of the action later today at Belle Isle.
SATURDAY
Latest model runs of the NAM 4km (so far it has been the most trustworthy) is trending that conditions later today may not be all that bad until after the 2PM hour. Skies will start off partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower before 8AM. Conditions should stay dry after that till around 2-3PM. The leading edge of the storms should be entering into the area around that time. As of now, no severe weather is expected. Do expect heavy rainfall at times with dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. Once it starts, it looks like the main rain event will be with us throughout the remainder of the day. Highs will reach the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Winds will be from the southwest at 5-15 MPH. Chance of rain is 70%.
SUNDAY
Unfortunately with the latest model runs, showers and thunderstorms look like they will be sticking around throughout the morning and finally may move out by 2-3PM. You will notice that the highs will be considerably lower and winds will be gusty at times. Skies should start to clear out and will be partly cloudy, with highs struggling to reach the lower 60s. Winds will be out of the northeast at 15-20 MPH, with gusts up to 30 MPH. Chance of rain is more likely during the morning at 60%, but dropping off to 30% after 10AM.
I really wish that this forecast is wrong and rain only occurs after the action is finished on Saturday and before it starts on Sunday. Just remember that we offer FREE live radar for Belle Isle on our blog site (http://racecastwx.weebly.com). Anyone with access to the internet is more than welcome to use it (fans, series officials, teams, PR, etc.). I'll also have updates on my Twitter feed (@RaceWx4You). Time for me to catch a few winks. Have a great night.
SATURDAY
Latest model runs of the NAM 4km (so far it has been the most trustworthy) is trending that conditions later today may not be all that bad until after the 2PM hour. Skies will start off partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower before 8AM. Conditions should stay dry after that till around 2-3PM. The leading edge of the storms should be entering into the area around that time. As of now, no severe weather is expected. Do expect heavy rainfall at times with dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. Once it starts, it looks like the main rain event will be with us throughout the remainder of the day. Highs will reach the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Winds will be from the southwest at 5-15 MPH. Chance of rain is 70%.
SUNDAY
Unfortunately with the latest model runs, showers and thunderstorms look like they will be sticking around throughout the morning and finally may move out by 2-3PM. You will notice that the highs will be considerably lower and winds will be gusty at times. Skies should start to clear out and will be partly cloudy, with highs struggling to reach the lower 60s. Winds will be out of the northeast at 15-20 MPH, with gusts up to 30 MPH. Chance of rain is more likely during the morning at 60%, but dropping off to 30% after 10AM.
I really wish that this forecast is wrong and rain only occurs after the action is finished on Saturday and before it starts on Sunday. Just remember that we offer FREE live radar for Belle Isle on our blog site (http://racecastwx.weebly.com). Anyone with access to the internet is more than welcome to use it (fans, series officials, teams, PR, etc.). I'll also have updates on my Twitter feed (@RaceWx4You). Time for me to catch a few winks. Have a great night.
