Daytona Bike Week weather: What's the forecast heading into closing weekend?
Although the fog lingered over Main Street on Monday, there was no rain to interrupt the motorcycle cruising and people-watching as Bike Week rolled along in Daytona Beach.
Will the rain stay away for the rest of the 10-day event that runs through Sunday in Daytona Beach and throughout Central Florida?
Here’s the latest extended forecast, updated on Tuesday, by the National Weather Service in Melbourne:
What’s the Bike Week weather forecast for Daytona Beach?
On Tuesday, Isolated to scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast to develop in the afternoon as an east coast sea breeze moves inland, according to a hazardous weather advisory issued by the NWS that includes Daytona Beach.
More: How big are Daytona Bike Week crowds compared to other U.S. motorcycle rallies?
Coverage of showers and storms further increase Tuesday night as a complex of storms in the Gulf of Mexico moves onshore ahead of an approaching cold front, the advisory states. Stronger storms will be capable of wind gusts up to 45 mph, occasional cloud to ground lightning strikes, and small hail.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast to continue into Wednesday, according to the advisory. The next chance for storms will be tied to another frontal passage this weekend.
Here’s the daily extended forecast:
Tuesday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m., increasing to 70% at night. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 and nighttime low around 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible at night.
Wednesday: A 60% chance of rain, with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm likely throughout the day. High near 79, with nighttime lows around 60. Southwest wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76 and nighttime low around 61. West northwest wind of 5-10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Partly cloudy at night. No mention of rain.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79 and nighttime low around 66. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. No mention of rain.
Saturday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, increasing to 30% at night. Partly sunny, with a high near 83 and low around 64. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76 and nighttime low around 55. West southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Daytona Beach weather radar
What happens at Daytona Bike Week?
The 83rd annual event runs from March 1-10 in Daytona Beach and throughout Central Florida.
Looking back: Daytona Beach's Bike Week: A history of beer, bikes, cole slaw and 'rowdyism'
The celebration is powered by an array of vendors offering everything from custom sunglasses to exhaust systems, live music and opportunities to cruise everywhere from jam-packed city streets to scenic rural roads.
Visit officialbikeweek.com for information.
Daytona Bike Week events
Cruise Main Street: Although the event has expanded its footprint over the years, Main Street remains bucket-list worthy, especially for first-timers. Expect it to be packed elbow-to-elbow and tailpipe-to-tailpipe with motorcycles, onlookers, street vendors, bands and unusual characters from the Main Street bridge to State Road A1A.
Shop the Swap: Need a part or accessory? A complete engine? Check out the thousands of items for sale or trade at the annual Daytona Bike Week Swap Meet, a fixture for 45 years in the expansive grounds at 1471 Tomoka Farms Road, just south of the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market.
Experience coleslaw wrestling: Coleslaw wrestling, Bike Week’s most odoriferous tradition, again will draw thousands of fans to the 5-acre field behind Sopotnick’s Cabbage Patch Bar, a well-worn, well-loved wood-frame watering hole that has been a fixture for nearly a century at the corner of State Road 415 and Pioneer Trail in Samsula.
There will be two opportunities to watch the matches, at noon Wednesday, March 6, and Saturday, March 9. If you go, be prepared to have plenty of company, with sweaty spectators expected to be elbow-to-elbow in the sprawling field behind the bar.
Ride the Ormond Loop: This famed 23-mile stretch from Birthplace of Speed Park to the Tomoka River basin is known for its lush canopies of live oaks and breathtaking ocean, river and marsh views. The trek, part of a larger 30-mile-plus double loop, takes riders past an assortment of oceanfront beach parks along State Road A1A, as well as North Peninsula State Park, Highbridge Park, Bulow Creek State Park and the Fairchild Oak, Tomoka State Park, Tomoka Outpost and the Ormond Beach Historical Society.
Bike Week at Daytona International Speedway
Throughout the event, Daytona International Speedway will host a mammoth motorcycle marketplace in the parking lots in front of the track along International Speedway Boulevard.
The free event features high-end manufacturer displays, top-of-the-line gear from Hot Leathers, free test rides on Progressive Demo Road, Harley-Davidson Thunder Alley and more.
On Bike Week’s closing weekend, the Daytona 200, hosted by MotoAmerica, will unfold March 7-9 (times TBD) at the Speedway. The race features the high-powered machines on both the Speedway’s famed high banks as well as the infield road course.
Two-day ticket packages are $59, with three-day packages available for $79 at daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
In addition to the 200, the Speedway also will host the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Championship, The Twins Cup Championship and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship during Bike Week.
Visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com for details.
Where can I get more Bike Week information?
Visit officialbikeweek.com for a full listing of events.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Here's your Bike Week weather forecast for Daytona Beach
