By Scott Martin - @RaceWx4You
The forecast has changed within the last 24 hours, but it looks to be even better news for the weekend events out at the scenic Barber Motorsports Park. It looks like the weather will not have a big impact throughout the weekend, but it could get a little dicey for late Saturday afternoon that could make the Verizon Indycar Series qualifying pretty interesting. We could see the best drivers in the world have to tackle a wet track to qualify.
Friday At The Track...
The weather out at Barber Motorsports Park will be great for on and off-track activities. Looking at the latest model trends, the day will start off with a few clouds and temperatures at 8AM in the upper 60s. Skies will become partly cloudy with the heating of the day as the day progresses, and the afternoon high will be in the mid 80s, around 84 degrees. There will be a few isolated showers and storms across parts of Central Alabama, but I do believe they will stay north of the track. To be on the safe side, I will mention a very small risk of an afternoon to early evening shower. The odds of the track getting any rain will be less than 1 in 5 (20%). Winds will be out of the southwest at 5-10 MPH.
Saturday's Racing Weather...
Weather will be great for the first half of the day on Saturday, before the risk of storms begin to rise during the afternoon. At 8AM, skies will generally be partly cloudy, with temperatures in the upper 60s. We should be able to get through much of the activities at the track before any rain occurs. Winds will start off out of the southwest at 5-10 MPH, but will be on the increase up to 15 MPH. We could have some scattered showers or storms approach the track starting after the 2PM hour, but the expected line of storms associated with a cold front will be moving through the area and should arrive at the track sometime after 4PM. Some of these storms within the line could be strong, with some small hail and gusty winds, but the overall severe threat remain really low. Afternoon highs will be in the mid 80s, around 84 degrees.
Sunday - Race Day Weather
We may still have a few showers associated with some wrap-around moisture on Sunday morning, but should be out of the area by the time the gates open at 8AM. Skies will stay generally cloudy throughout the day, and you will notice the big change in temperatures. The 8AM temperature will be down in the upper 50s, and will only warm into the lower 60s (around 63 degrees) for the daytime high. I wouldn't be surprised if we had a few sprinkles at some point during the day, but I think those chances will be very slim... and if it did happen, it wouldn't be enough to affect the racing. Winds will be out of the northwest at 5-10 MPH. I think it's safe to say that jackets may be required.
I'll be out at the track giving updates throughout the weekend. I will also be making a couple of interviews on IndyCar Radio throughout the weekend. My updates will be on my Twitter feed, along with our social media feeds.
Friday At The Track...
The weather out at Barber Motorsports Park will be great for on and off-track activities. Looking at the latest model trends, the day will start off with a few clouds and temperatures at 8AM in the upper 60s. Skies will become partly cloudy with the heating of the day as the day progresses, and the afternoon high will be in the mid 80s, around 84 degrees. There will be a few isolated showers and storms across parts of Central Alabama, but I do believe they will stay north of the track. To be on the safe side, I will mention a very small risk of an afternoon to early evening shower. The odds of the track getting any rain will be less than 1 in 5 (20%). Winds will be out of the southwest at 5-10 MPH.
Saturday's Racing Weather...
Weather will be great for the first half of the day on Saturday, before the risk of storms begin to rise during the afternoon. At 8AM, skies will generally be partly cloudy, with temperatures in the upper 60s. We should be able to get through much of the activities at the track before any rain occurs. Winds will start off out of the southwest at 5-10 MPH, but will be on the increase up to 15 MPH. We could have some scattered showers or storms approach the track starting after the 2PM hour, but the expected line of storms associated with a cold front will be moving through the area and should arrive at the track sometime after 4PM. Some of these storms within the line could be strong, with some small hail and gusty winds, but the overall severe threat remain really low. Afternoon highs will be in the mid 80s, around 84 degrees.
Sunday - Race Day Weather
We may still have a few showers associated with some wrap-around moisture on Sunday morning, but should be out of the area by the time the gates open at 8AM. Skies will stay generally cloudy throughout the day, and you will notice the big change in temperatures. The 8AM temperature will be down in the upper 50s, and will only warm into the lower 60s (around 63 degrees) for the daytime high. I wouldn't be surprised if we had a few sprinkles at some point during the day, but I think those chances will be very slim... and if it did happen, it wouldn't be enough to affect the racing. Winds will be out of the northwest at 5-10 MPH. I think it's safe to say that jackets may be required.
I'll be out at the track giving updates throughout the weekend. I will also be making a couple of interviews on IndyCar Radio throughout the weekend. My updates will be on my Twitter feed, along with our social media feeds.
