By: Stephen McCoy
For much of this week leading up to race day, an upper level high pressure ridge will sit over the southern Plains, keeping heat and moisture closer to the surface. A local area of high pressure at the surface located over the Ark-La-Tex region will cause southerly to southeasterly winds to bring in said heat and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday. Minimum and maximum temperatures for the day are expected above the daily normal as a result. In addition, dew point temperatures in the mid 60's F will likely result in maximum heat index values in the upper 90's F. Temperatures for the race are expected to hover around 90 F, possibly reaching the mid 80's by the end, however similar dew point temperatures will keep "feels like" conditions a few degrees warmer.
Conditions will be mostly clear through Saturday morning, though as temperatures begin to warm, partly cloudy skies will begin to build in at the lower levels. The aforementioned upper level high pressure will help inhibit any convective development and for now, there isn't any kind of precipitation expected.
Conditions will be mostly clear through Saturday morning, though as temperatures begin to warm, partly cloudy skies will begin to build in at the lower levels. The aforementioned upper level high pressure will help inhibit any convective development and for now, there isn't any kind of precipitation expected.
