Las Vegas weather for Tuesday, November 14, 2023 | Las Vegas weather
The first turn is painted with a logo around the pit building of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix during a media tour on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Lou Pasco/Las Vegas Review)
Painters put the finishing touches on one of the first curves at a Formula 1 track in Las Vegas on November 7, 2023. (LE Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A construction crew continues construction on the roof of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix pit building during a media tour prior to race week on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Lou Pasco/Las Vegas Review)
A tented area on the roof of the pit building of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas during a media tour prior to race week on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Lou Pasco/Las Vegas Review)
Maybe it will rain or maybe it won’t. But it will be cold.
This is the National Weather Service’s latest forecast for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night.
The Weather Service’s office in Las Vegas generally uses three main computer models to forecast the weather, says meteorologist Andy Gorello.
“Right now (as of late Monday afternoon) they don’t agree on the timing of the rain, but they all say something is possible,” he added. “It looks like the rain might be out of here by the time the race starts (10 p.m.), but that timing is still in question.”
As for temperature, it is expected to reach 68 degrees on Saturday, which means that by race time and during the race, temperatures will likely be in the low to mid 50s.
The coldest Formula One race was the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix, a race in Montreal that was the last of the season in early October. Temperatures dropped to 41 degrees, and the podium trio wore winter jackets as snow and sleet fell, according to the Williams Racing website.
The Weather Service officially lists a 40 percent chance of rain on Wednesday, when the opening ceremonies are scheduled.
Shower chances are about 20 percent on Thursday during the first night of practice. Practice and qualifying activity on Friday night will likely see some rain.
Rain does not automatically trigger a red flag to stop a Formula 1 race as cars have two types of rain tyres. Heavy rain may be more problematic because current Formula 1 cars create a heavy spray of water, reducing visibility. The track is 3.8 miles long, and the block-long direct turnpike on Las Vegas Boulevard will allow speeds of up to 210 mph in ideal conditions. In rainy conditions, the water spray is likely to be massive.
Wind conditions will not be a factor, Gurrilo said.
Tuesday should see a high near 73 in central Las Vegas with a Wednesday morning low around 51. Wednesday is expected to reach a high near 74. Wind speeds should be less than 10 mph.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.
