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The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500, dubbed “the greatest spectacle in auto racing,” is fast approaching. With the race scheduled for Sunday, drivers and fans are keeping a close eye on the skies ahead of the green flag.
The race will be broadcast on FOX, with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET. Weather conditions could play a major role, with changing track temperatures and the chance of precipitation directly affecting tire grip and overall car handling throughout the event.
Teams will need to remain vigilant and highly adaptable in the pits, as sudden changes in cloud cover can quickly change a car’s balance. Observers and strategists will be glued to radar screens to ensure they are not caught off guard by fast-moving systems.
According to FOX Weatherlast year’s forecast showed a 15% chance of rain on race day at the start of the event. Temperatures reached the 70s with a mix of clouds and sun throughout the day, and similar conditions are expected for this year’s race.
Historical averages provide only a reference, and spring weather in the Midwest is notoriously unpredictable. A slightly warmer day could quickly increase track temperatures, forcing engineers to increase downforce to compensate for a smoother racing surface.
Here is your latest race weekend weather forecast for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Weather forecast for the 2026 Indy 500
According to FOX WeatherWednesday, the forecast for Sunday looks favorable, with just a 24% chance of rain on race day. Temperatures are expected to range from the 60s to 70s, with a mix of sun and clouds throughout the day.
The weather for the race is forecast to be 72 degrees and cloudy. Although the impacts of wind and temperature are minimal at 0.4 and 0.5 respectively, precipitation is the main factor to watch out for with a high impact score of 7.7.
This suggests that wet track conditions will likely be the main challenge for teams and drivers.
South winds are expected at around five miles per hour, with ambient temperatures near 74 degrees and humidity around 82 percent, creating potentially slippery but manageable track conditions for pilots.
How can I watch or stream the Indy 500?
The 2026 Indy 500 will be broadcast on FOX and streamed live on FOX OneTHE FOX Sports website and the FOX Sports app.
For those without cable, there are live streaming services offering 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. Discover the Federal Communications Commission TV Reception Cards to see which stations are available in your area.
