By Doug Schneider
Pirelli World Challenge returns to beautiful Virginia International Raceway after a long hiatus, and the weather looks like it will cooperate to make for a great weekend. With over 100 cars in action, it should be an exciting and action-packed event.
The weather pattern for the middle of the week across the United States will feature a low pressure trough and cold front over the Central and Southern Plains that will be lifting northeast through Thursday. The northeastward track of the system will mean that its greatest impact will be felt to the north of VIR, mainly across the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians. The mountains of western North Carolina will probably have a weakening effect on the tail end of it as well. Even if the system can survive the mountain crossing enough to develop some storms in the Piedmont, the timing favors an arrival after the day's testing sessions are over. So I think the most likely scenario is that VIR remains dry on Thursday.
Once this system passes by, an area of high pressure off the North Carolina coast will be gaining strength and extending across the Southeast. This will provide a warm southwest flow that will bring sunny skies and daytime temperatures into the mid and upper 80s for Friday through Sunday. The only impacts that I can see right now will be for the potential for sunburn and dehydration, so don't forget to apply the sunscreen and drink plenty of water while you're at the track.
The weather pattern for the middle of the week across the United States will feature a low pressure trough and cold front over the Central and Southern Plains that will be lifting northeast through Thursday. The northeastward track of the system will mean that its greatest impact will be felt to the north of VIR, mainly across the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians. The mountains of western North Carolina will probably have a weakening effect on the tail end of it as well. Even if the system can survive the mountain crossing enough to develop some storms in the Piedmont, the timing favors an arrival after the day's testing sessions are over. So I think the most likely scenario is that VIR remains dry on Thursday.
Once this system passes by, an area of high pressure off the North Carolina coast will be gaining strength and extending across the Southeast. This will provide a warm southwest flow that will bring sunny skies and daytime temperatures into the mid and upper 80s for Friday through Sunday. The only impacts that I can see right now will be for the potential for sunburn and dehydration, so don't forget to apply the sunscreen and drink plenty of water while you're at the track.
