By Doug Schneider
This is not a forecast I was hoping to make for VIR, since I'll be at the track all weekend. If you're heading to VIR as well, you should bring some rain gear along, as showers are likely on Friday, and potentially on Saturday. There are some details to this forecast that add some uncertainty, which I will explain below.
The pattern through the later half of the week will be a low pressure system in the mid and upper levels tracking across the Southeast states. This system will draw moisture from the Atlantic Ocean toward the northwest, into the Carolinas and Virginia. The speed of this system will be a key factor in how much rain falls at VIR, and the timing of the rainfall.
Friday appears to have the highest chance of rain as the system will be west of the Appalachians, pulling quite of a bit of moisture into the region. While rain is possible any time of the day at VIR, the afternoon appears to have a better chance than the morning. A few thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon.
Saturday is the most uncertain day of the event. Models are showing different timing of when the rain exits. Some have showers early in the day, followed by clearing in the afternoon, but others have rain all day. Unfortunately, my experience with this type of pattern points me toward the slower exit of rain, so I have a high chance of rain on Saturday. There could be a risk of a thunderstorm on Saturday, but it appears to be a low chance.
As of today, Sunday is expected to have dry weather. The day will start with cloudy skies, but there should be some partial clearing in the afternoon. However, if this system continues to slow down, there may be a chance of rain added to Sunday in later forecasts.
Check back through the week for updates.
The pattern through the later half of the week will be a low pressure system in the mid and upper levels tracking across the Southeast states. This system will draw moisture from the Atlantic Ocean toward the northwest, into the Carolinas and Virginia. The speed of this system will be a key factor in how much rain falls at VIR, and the timing of the rainfall.
Friday appears to have the highest chance of rain as the system will be west of the Appalachians, pulling quite of a bit of moisture into the region. While rain is possible any time of the day at VIR, the afternoon appears to have a better chance than the morning. A few thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon.
Saturday is the most uncertain day of the event. Models are showing different timing of when the rain exits. Some have showers early in the day, followed by clearing in the afternoon, but others have rain all day. Unfortunately, my experience with this type of pattern points me toward the slower exit of rain, so I have a high chance of rain on Saturday. There could be a risk of a thunderstorm on Saturday, but it appears to be a low chance.
As of today, Sunday is expected to have dry weather. The day will start with cloudy skies, but there should be some partial clearing in the afternoon. However, if this system continues to slow down, there may be a chance of rain added to Sunday in later forecasts.
Check back through the week for updates.
