These are the weather forecasts that keep meteorologists up at night. A big racing weekend and there is potential of a tropical system raining on the NASCAR parade. While rain is possible thanks to Tropical Depression Two (which could become Tropical Storm Bonnie after typing this), I still think we can race Sunday night.
2016 NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 weekend weather forecast: Tropical troubles
Tropical Depression Two could become Tropical Storm Bonnie Saturday. This tropical system could have an impact on Sunday’s NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
Saturday is dry for practice and the Xfinity race. It will also be warm with temperatures in the low- to mid-80s. The main concern is Sunday and Sunday night.
There are a couple scenarios possible for Sunday. The first is rainbands and moisture associated with Tropical Depression Two or Tropical Storm Bonnie moving in Saturday night into Sunday morning, keeping most of the day wet. But by evening, the rain should begin to dissipate, allowing for racing of the Coca-Cola 600. This is the scenario we have been leaning towards most of the week. Odds of racing are around 75 percent with odds of a delay around 40 percent and odds of a washout 30 percent or less.
Worst case scenario is these bands set up over the track, don’t diminish, and continue through the day and into the afternoon and evening. This is the washout scenario and the probability of this happening is around 30 percent right now. While I still think we will dry out and race there is this possibility.
I continue to work with meteorologist Aaron Studwell (@RaceWeather on Twitter) on this forecast. This is not an easy forecast and we may be making adjustments all the way up to the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Please follow me on Twitter @NASCAR_WXMAN and like me on Facebook for the latest weather updates through the weekend.
All times ET.
SATURDAY:
10:00 a.m. -- Sprint Cup series practice
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: East Light
Temperature:74
11:15 a.m. -- Xfinity series qualifying
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: East Light
Temperature: 77
1:00 p.m. -- Sprint Cup series final practice
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: East Light
Temperature: 82
2:30 p.m. -- Xfinity Series race
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: East Light
Temperature: 84
SUNDAY
5 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 pre-race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of a shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 77
6 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of a shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 77
7 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of a shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 76
8 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, slight chance of a shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 75
9 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of an isolated shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 73
10 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of an isolated shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 71
11 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of an isolated shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 69
12 a.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of an isolated shower
Winds: North 3-8 mph
Temperature: 69
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