By Doug Schneider
I wanted to get a quick update on the weather situation this morning and what can be expected at Belle Isle Park this afternoon. It appears likely that there will be weather impacts during the racing this afternoon, especially the IndyCar race.
Here's what's happening this morning on radar across the Great Lakes:
I wanted to get a quick update on the weather situation this morning and what can be expected at Belle Isle Park this afternoon. It appears likely that there will be weather impacts during the racing this afternoon, especially the IndyCar race.
Here's what's happening this morning on radar across the Great Lakes:
Low pressure is located over Wisconsin, with a stationary from stretching east across central Michigan. Showers are tracking E-SE along this front. For the morning hours, the shower and thunderstorm activity will stay to the north of Detroit, near the front.
Through the day, the low pressure area will track along the front, and the front will start to drift to the south. This will start to bring the showers and storms closer to Belle Isle in the afternoon. In addition, there will be a good amount of instability developing with daytime heating - it will be partly to mostly sunny for much of the morning and early afternoon. This instability will result in more showers and thunderstorms developing near the front the low pressure center, and some of these storms could become strong.
Here is one model's (HRRR) depiction of what the radar will look like and where the low pressure center will be at 5 pm this afternoon:
Through the day, the low pressure area will track along the front, and the front will start to drift to the south. This will start to bring the showers and storms closer to Belle Isle in the afternoon. In addition, there will be a good amount of instability developing with daytime heating - it will be partly to mostly sunny for much of the morning and early afternoon. This instability will result in more showers and thunderstorms developing near the front the low pressure center, and some of these storms could become strong.
Here is one model's (HRRR) depiction of what the radar will look like and where the low pressure center will be at 5 pm this afternoon:
Here's what I'm expecting at Belle Isle today - there may be a light and brief passing shower at any time during the day, but the chance of one is very low - maybe 20% or less. Then after 3 pm, the chance of showers and thunderstorms will start to rise (about 60%), with storms most likely to arrive sometime between 4 pm and 6 pm. The storms are expected to produce frequent lightning and heavy downpours. They may also be capable of producing gusty winds and hail.
With the IndyCar race being run from 3:40 to 5:45 pm, it is likely that the race will be impacted. The extent of the impact will depend on how much rain falls, which can be highly variable depending on whether a storm tracks directly over the track or just skirts by. I do think that there will be lightning in the area, which will require a stoppage of the race.
If you are going to Belle Isle today, stay aware of any storms that are approaching and take action when any calls to find shelter are announced. Have a plan ahead of time to get to a sturdy shelter.
With the IndyCar race being run from 3:40 to 5:45 pm, it is likely that the race will be impacted. The extent of the impact will depend on how much rain falls, which can be highly variable depending on whether a storm tracks directly over the track or just skirts by. I do think that there will be lightning in the area, which will require a stoppage of the race.
If you are going to Belle Isle today, stay aware of any storms that are approaching and take action when any calls to find shelter are announced. Have a plan ahead of time to get to a sturdy shelter.
