It’s unfortunate that Pocono Raceway has a reputation for being a rainy race weekend on the NASCAR calendar. It doesn’t rain every race weekend, but it always seems like when NASCAR comes to the Tricky Triangle rain is in the forecast or occurs. The June race earlier this season was the first Monday race postponed due to rain and now the second Pocono race is threatening to be the second.
2016 NASCAR Pocono weekend weather forecast: Could we see another washout?
They say timing is everything and that will be the case for rain chance Sunday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Could Pocono get a second washout race this season?
There is a stalled boundary across southern Pennsylvania and this will be the focus of rain and storms during the afternoon on Saturday for the Camping World Truck Series race and Sunday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Pennsylvania 400. Compared to the June race, this weather forecast is a little more challenging. While all signs point to there being widespread rain around Pocono Raceway Sunday afternoon, timing could help NASCAR get to at least halfway for an official race.
Odds of racing the Pennsylvania 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race Sunday afternoon is around 40 to 50 percent. Odds of the race being postponed for Monday is around 55 percent. Odds of getting to halfway for an official race is about 40 percent. These are not great odds but they are higher than they were back in June.
It comes down to the timing of shower and storm development Sunday afternoon. Some of the data has the bulk of Sunday afternoon dry while other data is keeping the afternoon very wet. This is one of those prepare for the worst but hope for the best situations. Have a Monday plan just in case this race gets washed out before starting or getting to halfway.
Sadly, Monday’s weather forecast is not much better. There is still a chance of scattered showers and storms Monday afternoon. If the race were to be postponed for Monday an earlier start time would be in NASCAR’s best interest
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All times Eastern
SATURDAY:
9:05 a.m. -- Truck Series qualifying
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of lingering rain or drizzle
Winds: SE 3-8 mph
Temperature: 68
11:00 a.m. -- Sprint Cup series final practice
Forecast: Clouds & sunshine
Winds: SE 3-8 mph
Temperature: 73
1 p.m. -- Truck Series race
Forecast: Clouds and sunshine, possible shower or storm especially later in the race.
Winds: SE 3-8 mph
Temperature: 75
SUNDAY
12:30 -- Pennsylvania 400 pre-race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 71
1:30 p.m. -- Pennsylvania 400
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 73
2:30 p.m. -- Pennsylvania 400
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 73
3:30 p.m. -- Pennsylvania 400
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 72
4:30 p.m. -- Pennsylvania 400
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 72
5:30 p.m. -- Pennsylvania 400
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 71
6:30 p.m. -- Pennsylvania 400
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible shower or thunderstorm
Winds: SE 5-10 mph
Temperature: 71
MONDAY:
Noon -- Pennsylvania 400 (If needed)
Forecast: Mix of sunshine and clouds, chance of scattered afternoon showers and storms
Winds: Light and variable
Temperature: 75
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