The Big Race is drawing near and Indy 500 fans face some tough questions: What’s on the menu at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Where is the best parking? And, of course: Will I need to bring an umbrella?
IndyStar is helping race fans prepare their outfits and accessories for the spectacle by publishing daily updates as race day draws near.
IndyStar’s historic weather analysis (provided below) shows that it’s rained only once on May 24 since 2006 and the average temperature for the past 20 years has been in the upper 60s. That said, multiple current forecasts call for some precipitation this year on Sunday, May 24.
What will weather be like for the Indy 500?
The National Weather Service predicts a 30% chance of rain for the Indy 500 with possible thunderstorms in the mix. Skies will be mostly cloudy with temperatures peaking around 81 degrees.
AccuWeather forecasters are also calling for a 30% chance of rain on Race Day with variable clouds and a thunderstorm possible. Meteorologists there wrote, “rain can delay or cancel the race,” on the service’s website. High temperatures will be near 75 degrees.
An hour-by-hour forecast from Weather Underground shows a 60% chance of rain with precipitation beginning at 12 a.m. and lasting throughout the entire day except for a short window of dry conditions at 8 p.m. Temperatures will top out around 75 degrees.
What is the weather forecast for Memorial Day if there’s a delay?
The National Weather Service is predicting a 40% chance of rain for Memorial Day with mostly cloudy skies and a high around 83 degrees.
Weather Underground shows a 41% chance of rain for Monday, May 25, with temperatures reaching 75 degrees.
What will weather be like for Legends Day?
This year’s Indy 500 Legends Day takes place Saturday, May 23, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The National Weather Service forecast shows rain and thunderstorms mid-morning with precipitation lasting through the afternoon. Thunderstorms could pick up again into the evening. Temperatures will reach highs near 78 degrees.
What will weather be like for Carb Day?
This year’s Indy 500 Carb Day is on Friday, May 22. The day-long party includes the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 and the Pit Stop Competition.
The National Weather Service forecast says showers are likely Friday with a chance of thunderstorms beginning after 2 p.m. Chances of rain are 90% and temperatures will be in the low 70s.
Indy 500 weather history
IndyStar analyzed 20 years of historic data from Weather Underground for May 24, this year’s Race Day.
Daily temperatures averaged in the high 60s and it has rained only one day out of the last 20 since 2006. Precipitation totals on rainy days were light, with the highest on record at only one-tenth of an inch.
On previous race days, temperatures varied wildly from a high of 92 degrees in 1937 and a low of 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. The race eventually ran but was cut short due to a tornado in the area.
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: Indianapolis weather forecasts for Indy 500 call for chance of rain