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The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500, known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” is just around the corner. With the race set for Sunday, drivers and fans are keeping a close eye on the sky ahead of the green flag.
The race will be televised on FOX, with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 PM ET. Weather conditions can play a big role, with changing track temperatures and the risk of precipitation directly affecting the tire’s grip and the car’s general handling throughout the event.
Teams need to stay sharp and very adaptable in the pit box, as sudden changes in cloud cover can quickly change a car’s balance. Spotters and strategists will be glued to radar screens to ensure they are not caught off guard by fast systems.
According to FOX Weatherlast year’s forecast showed a 15% chance of rain on race day at the start of the event. Temperatures climbed into the low 70s with a mix of clouds and sunshine throughout the day, and similar conditions are expected for this year’s race.
Historical averages provide only a baseline, and spring weather in the Midwest is notoriously unpredictable. A slightly warmer day can quickly raise track temperatures, forcing engineers to increase downforce to compensate for a smoother racing surface.
Here are your latest race weekend weather forecasts for Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
2026 Indy 500 Weather Forecast
According to FOX Weatheras of Wednesday, Sunday’s forecast looks favorable, with only a 24% chance of rain on race day. Temperatures are expected to range from the low 60s to the upper 70s, with a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day.
The weather for the race is forecast to be 72 degrees and cloudy. While wind and temperature impacts are minimal at 0.4 and 0.5 respectively, precipitation is the most important factor to watch with a high impact score of 7.7.
This suggests that wet track conditions are likely to be the primary challenge for the teams and drivers.
Winds are expected from the south at around five miles per hour, with a feel-like temperature near 74 degrees and humidity around 82%, creating potentially slick but manageable track conditions for drivers.
How can I watch or stream the Indy 500?
The 2026 Indy 500 will be televised on FOX and stream live on FOX Onethe FOX Sports website and that FOX Sports App.
For those without cable, there are live streaming services that carry FOX (as well as FS1 and FS2), including YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and fuboTV.
If you have an antenna in a good reception area, you can also watch INDYCAR on your local FOX station. Check out Television reception map from the Federal Communications Commission to see which stations are available in your area.
