Race day forecast for the 2024 Indy 500: Will there be thunderstorms? Here's the latest
Chances of rain are growing for the weekend as the Indy 500 draws near. To get ready for the main event, IndyStar is keeping race fans updated with the latest weather forecasts.
Here's what's in the forecast for other Indy 500 events and the big race May 26 as of today:
What will weather be like for the Indy 500?
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis boosted the chance of rain Sunday to 60%, an increase from yesterday's forecast of 50%. Showers remain likely with a chance of thunderstorms during the event. Forecasts are still limited for the big race, but NWS is calling for temperatures near 80 degrees.
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The Weather Underground's updated forecast for Race Day is showing a 52% chance of morning rain with scattered thunderstorms during the day. Temps could reach 76 in the afternoon.
The AccuWeather's precipitation forecast is a bit more conservative, calling for mostly cloudy skies with only a 35% chance of rains on Sunday. High temperatures will stay in the upper 70s.
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What will weather be like for Carb Day?
Carb Day, taking place Friday at the track, is also supposed to see some rain. The National Weather Service is saying there's a 60% chance of showers with some thunderstorms. Temperatures will hit a high near 82.
The Weather Underground also predicts rains and thunderstorms for Carb Day. There could be scattered thunderstorms throughout the day with temperatures nearing 83 degrees. Meteorologists predict a 50% chance of rain.
AccuWeather is saying the rains will hold off for most of Carb Day. There could be a thunderstorm in parts of the area in the afternoon.
What will weather be like for Legends Day?
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis is calling for 50% chance of rain during Legends Day on Saturday. Rain and thunderstorms will roll in mainly after 2 p.m. Skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 84.
Forecasters at The Weather Underground say the track could see scattered thunderstorms in the morning with a 40% chance of rain and partly cloudy skies later in the day. High temperatures could hit 79 degrees.
AccuWeather's forecast remains the most optimistic for the weekend calling for a pleasant Saturday with only a 19% chance of rain. Highs will reach to 79 degrees.
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Indy 500 weather history
IndyStar analyzed 20 years of historic data from Weather Underground for May 26, this year's Race Day.
Daily temperatures averaged in the high 60s and it rained only 5 days out of the last 20 since 2004. Precipitation totals on rainy days were light, with the highest on record at only one-tenth of an inch.
On previous race days not always falling on May 26, temperatures varied wildly from a high of 92 degrees in 1937 and a low at 37 degrees in 1947, according to the National Weather Service.
The most rain fell on May 30, 2004, when Race Day was inundated with nearly 4 inches of precipitation.
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk
IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 weather: Will it storm on race day? Forecast as of May 21
