Indy 500 forecast: Severe weather threatens iconic race Sunday
Indianapolis is now in a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather Sunday, and history shows that the Indy 500 hasn’t been immune from extreme weather impacting the sports event.
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Tornadoes, large hail and damaging wind gusts are on the board on every day of the holiday weekend, with Sunday having potential for a widespread severe weather outbreak across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys.
INDIANAPOLIS - We’re just a day away from the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, but concerns remain that severe weather and rain on Sunday could impact the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where about 300,000 fans are expected to pack the stands.
FILE - INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 27: Cars sit in pit lane during a rain delay at the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)
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NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has now placed the Indianapolis area in a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather on its 5-point severe thunderstorm risk scale on Sunday with the possibility of high-end severe weather events of strong tornadoes, hurricane-force wind gusts and golf ball-size hail.
(FOX Weather)
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The threat of storms will exist during the day on Sunday and could last until the evening hours, covering the hours of the scheduled race time.
(FOX Weather)
The city will likely face two rounds of severe weather threats. The first is a squall line of thunderstorms that is currently forecast to sweep through the Indianapolis area in the late morning into the early afternoon.
The primary threat would be for ferocious and damaging wind gusts along with torrential rain and frequent lightning as the squall line passes, although a tornado or two can't be ruled out.
There may be a few hours' break in the weather in the mid-to-late afternoon before another round of severe thunderstorms rolls through in the evening into Sunday night. These storms present threats of all forms of severe weather, from strong tornadoes to large hail and damaging wind gusts.
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Has rain and severe weather impacted the Indy 500 before?
FILE - INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 30: The #26 Andretti Green Racing Jim Beam/Klein Tools Dallara Honda of Dan Wheldon is seen under a cover at the head of the field after rain stops the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series Indianapolis 500 on lap 29 on May 30, 2004 at the Indianapolis Motor Speeday in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
History shows that the Indy 500 hasn’t been immune from extreme weather impacting the sports event. Precipitation has forced officials to cut the race short in the past, and spectators and drivers have been subjected to temperatures in the 90s as well as dropping into the upper 30s on the morning of the race.
According to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 1986 race was expected to be held on Sunday, May 25, but was postponed to the following day due to rain. However, that day was also washed out, and the race was successfully run on Saturday, May 31.
In 1997, the race was scheduled for Sunday, May 25, but was postponed due to rain. The precipitation stopped the race after 15 laps on May 26, and the race was finally completed on May 27.
FILE - INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 27: The car crews cover cars with tarps during a rain delay at the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Rain has also forced officials to shorten the Indy 500 due to inclement weather.
The first occurred in 1926 after 160 laps (400 miles), and three races in the 1970s were also shortened.
The last time the Indy 500 was shortened due to rain was back in 2007 after 166 laps (415 miles).