It just wouldn’t be a NASCAR event without the threat of a rain delay. Not even the first point-paying race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series — the Daytona 500 — is immune.
Daytona Beach, Fla., was spared from any inclement weather on Tuesday as Kyle Busch won a thrilling Clash at Daytona. Thursday’s Daytona Duels, however, were less lucky; rain delayed the second qualifying race of the 500, otherwise known as the Daytona Duels.
NASCAR will likely hope for the former weather on Sunday, but early indications suggest the Daytona 500 will have at least some delays. The length of the delay depends significantly on the amount of rainfall and how quickly the track can be dried.
Here’s everything you need to know about the weather forecast for the Daytona 500, including chance of rain, high and low temperatures and wind speed for both Sunday afternoon and night:
MORE: Watch the Daytona 500 on fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Daytona 500 weather updates
(All times Eastern)
9:35 p.m. — Officially back with the green flag waving on Lap 30.
9:10 p.m. — Car covers off. Drivers in seats. Engines fired.
8:25 p.m. — Drivers will be called to their cars at 8:45 p.m. with a targeted restart time of 9 p.m.
7:55 p.m. — NASCAR says it has not lost any progress it has made so far in attempting to dry off the track.
“Just a light sprinkle through 3 and 4,” reports a truck to the tower.
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) February 15, 2021
“Light sprinkes all the way around, but we’re not losing progress,” reports a truck to the tower.
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) February 15, 2021
6:50 p.m. — Reason to be (cautiously) optimistic?
6:30 PM ET @Daytona update: Showers moved out of the area & track drying is underway. Light showers in vicinity could avoid track. More rain abt 45 miles SW, abt an hour fm track & is slowly weakening. That could be last rain of night – be patient
Monitoring w/@NASCAR_WXMAN pic.twitter.com/g54JD99RId
— RaceWeather – Aaron Studwell, Ph.D. (@RaceWeather) February 14, 2021
6:15 p.m. — Here’s a look at the updated forecast with a possible second wave of rain approaching Daytona International Speedway:
5:10 p.m. — Initial track-drying efforts… not great.
NASCAR’s track drying system “air titans” began the process of blowing water off the track. A few minutes later, the rain returned and NASCAR suspended track drying. pic.twitter.com/fGAgCR5IYA
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2021
4:15 p.m. — Well, this could be a long delay.
3:35 p.m. — A lightning strike brings out the red flag.
RED FLAG: Lightning strike in vicinity. Racing will be stopped for at least 30 minutes. #NASCAR
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2021
3:10 p.m. — The green flag is up, but it will be worth monitoring the incoming rain clouds.
2:55 PM & ready to race @Daytona update: Rain a few miles fm track. Storms tracking NNE & lines have slight easterly motion.
Showers & t-storms this aft, risk drops into evening. lightning: 24 miles WSW
Odds of #NASCAR Racing: 75%
Will be monitoring w/@NASCAR_WXMAN pic.twitter.com/wVEAdqNBpI— RaceWeather – Aaron Studwell, Ph.D. (@RaceWeather) February 14, 2021
1 p.m. — Still sunny skies at Daytona about two hours from the green flag,
11:40 a.m. — Here’s the latest radar, with blue skies currently over Daytona and crews working to dry the track.
A lot of blue sky as track drying continues. Prerace ceremonies in a little more than two hours and green flag 3:05p ET. Prerace show on FS1 now and moves to FOX at 1p ET. pic.twitter.com/piQyst6ptL
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2021
10 a.m. — The latest forecast suggests delays, but the outlook to finish the race today is optimistic.
Working with @RaceWeather – highest chc. showers/T’Storms between 2p-6p w/ mostly sct’d precip. w/ likely breaks. Odds of racing 75% DON’T think a wash out but poss. delays &. possibly finishing up in the evening as rain chances greatly diminish after 6pm EST #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/S4S5KF3pHz
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) February 14, 2021
9:30 a.m. — The Daytona 500 is still on schedule for its 3 p.m. ET start time, pending significant rain in the forecast for Daytona International Speedway throughout the morning and afternoon.
Seven hours away until engines are fired so can’t tell you what is going to happen. If it is like this week, showers are scattered — so just depends where they hit-miss. I’m cautiously optimistic race gets in because have seen windows to dry track and race all week. https://t.co/gBmOBlAVMD
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2021
Daytona 500 weather forecast
National Weather Service
- Chance of rain (Sunday): 80 percent
- Chance of rain (Sunday night): 80 percent
- High temperature: Near 77
- Low temperature: Around 64
Sunday’s forecast as of Feb. 14: “Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 77. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight, showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm. Low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.”
Feb. 12: “Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.” That’s followed by a lower, albeit not insignificant chance of rain that night: “A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph.”
The Weather Channel
- Chance of rain (Sunday): 80 percent
- Chance of rain (Sunday night): 70 percent
- Winds: 5-10 mph
- High temperature: 76
- Low temperature: 65
Sunday’s forecast as of Feb. 14: “Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Heavy downpours are possible. A few storms may be severe. High 77F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thunderstorms this evening. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.”
Feb. 12: The Weather Channel as a similar forecast as the National Weather Service: high chance of rain in the afternoon, followed by a less — but still notable — chance in the evening.
“Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 76. Winds South at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.” Following that, “scattered thunderstorms during the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low near 65. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40 percent.”