NASCAR at Charlotte weather updates: Rain, lightning bring out red flag at Coca-Cola 600 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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One of the most highly anticipated NASCAR races of the 2026 season arrives this Sunday.
The Coca-Cola 600 — iconic for multiple reasons, including being the longest race on the NASCAR schedule and its later-than-usual start — will be one of two significant motorsports events on the day before Memorial Day, coming after the Indianapolis 500.
However, weather could factor into this year’s Coca-Cola 600, with rain already canceling Saturday’s qualifying.
Here’s the latest on the weather for the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 and how it could impact the event.
MORE:Full lineup for the 2026 Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600 weather updates
(All times Eastern)
Sunday, May 24
11:28 p.m. — NASCAR headquarters calls it a night with just 27 laps left. Daniel Suarez wins at Charlotte, recording his third career Cup Series triumph!
11:25 p.m. — CAUTION! And back to yellow. Looks like the rain was too much to overcome — at least for the time being.
11:23 p.m. — Back to green here at Charlotte! The rain is pouring hard out here, so we’ll have to see what happens here.
11:17 p.m. — NASCAR’s finest talents have been parked with 34 laps to go. Rain and lightning brought out the red flag at Charlotte. That will result in at least a 30-minute delay to affairs. Daniel Suarez led at the break.
Red flag for rain. 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/aHfEKqWqly
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) May 25, 2026
3:11 p.m. — Things continue to look clear for the start of the Coca-Cola 600 later. The drivers should be able to get going in Charlotte, but the question will be whether or not rain will later impact the race.
1 p.m. #Coke600 weather update: Trends are still dry, and even some sunshine is trying to break out. Gotta be on guard for pop-ups, but looking good for racing; we will get laps in for sure! #Nascar#cltwxpic.twitter.com/acxV1L5V42
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) May 24, 2026
11:28 a.m. — On race day, the early indications are that the action should start as planned, but there could be some rain by 9 p.m. ET.
With the wedge still in place, you can never rule out a rogue light shower or drizzle, but all the short-range guidance hints at mostly dry until about 9 p.m. tonight at @CLTMotorSpdwy. Fingers crossed. #cltwx#nascar#ncwxpic.twitter.com/4CqFSGjufe
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) May 24, 2026
#Coke600 Race-day morning forecast update: Here is the latest for @CLTMotorSpdwy. Some good news and optimism for a long dry window. #nascar#cltwx#ncwx#wxbradpic.twitter.com/bQmHN62uxr
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) May 24, 2026
Saturday, May 23
5:15 p.m. — Weather could also impact Katherine Legge’s attempt at the “Double,” but she said she’s trying not to worry about it.
Asked Katherine Legge about potential rain in both Indy and Charlotte on Sunday, and she said, “What will be will be.”
She also pondered if The Double would still count if the Coca-Cola 600 is moved to Monday. #Indy500#NASCARpic.twitter.com/oLxZPeWjGg
— Zion Brown (@z10nbr0wn) May 22, 2026
4:59 p.m. — As things are currently looking, there appears to at least be a chance of weather impacting the Coca-Cola 600.
The National Weather Service is projecting a 30% chance of rain during the day on Sunday, but a 70% chance by the evening. Because the race has a later 6 p.m. ET start, it could prove difficult for NASCAR to find dry patches in the weather to get the track ready for racing.
AccuWeather projects an overall 55% chance of rain on Sunday, also writing that “thunderstorms could impact the race.” However, even if it does rain, it isn’t expected to be heavy precipitation. AccuWeather listed an overall precipitation on Sunday of just 0.1 inches of rain.
Saturday’s qualifying was already canceled due to heavier rain in Charlotte.
4:30 PM ET @CLTMotorSpdwy#weather update – 63°F, 94% humidity, northerly winds, 6 mph
Looking ahead to a 5 PM ET NOAPS start time. Next set of rain is about 25 miles south of the track, moving on northerly track at 25-30 mph. They should start on time but not sure how long… pic.twitter.com/m45uqQHrji
— RaceWeather (@RaceWeather) May 23, 2026
Coca-Cola 600 weather forecast
- Chance of rain (Sunday): 40%
- Chance of rain (Sunday night): 70%
Sunday’s forecast as of May 24: “A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.”