After a weekend of much-needed heavy rainfall in the Daytona Beach area, what’s the forecast for the big outdoor Welcome to Rockville music festival, a four-day heavy metal marathon slated for Thursday-Sunday at Daytona International Speedway?
Right now, it looks like the rains will be gone by the time the festival opens its gates on Thursday, typically around 11:30 a.m.
But it’s going to be hot.
What’s the weather forecast for Daytona’s Welcome to Rockville?
The extended forecast for Daytona Beach on Thursday calls for sunny skies with a high near 89 and a nighttime low around 67, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
It’ll be a bit hotter as the weekend unfolds, with temperatures into the 90s. Of course, the heat index or “feels like” temperature that combines temperature readings with humidity in the air will be even higher.
On Friday, sunny skies are expected, with a high near 91 and nighttime low around 71. On Saturday, the high temperature climbs to 92, with a high temperature of 91 again in the forecast for Sunday’s closing day.
“Rain chances will diminish mid- to late-week and, with that, the heat returns,” said Zach Law, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“By Thursday, we’re looking at temperatures creeping into the upper 80s and lower 90s, and we’ll continue to see that warming trend into the weekend,” Law said.
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s by Saturday.
“With that, we will have increasing heat index values and heat risk,” Law said. “We’re looking at a heat index approaching 100 degrees on Saturday, but maybe a tad lower on Sunday, into the upper 90s.”
No mention of rain, with only light breezes expected.
Before Rockville, a chance of severe weather on Monday
On Monday, there will be more rain in Daytona Beach and surrounding areas, including Flagler County, with a marginal risk of severe weather, according to the NWS.
The greatest threat looks to be Monday afternoon into this evening, with the potential for gusty winds of 40-50 mph, as well as a 5% chance of gusts as high as 60 mph. There’s also the possibility of a brief tornado, small hail and deadly lightning.
There’s also the expectation of heavy rain that could lead to the flooding of low-lying areas. Rainfall amounts from 1.1-2.3 inches are expected in Daytona Beach, with a 10% chance of as much as 3.8 inches of rain.
In Flagler, there’s a chance for strong to isolated severe thunderstorms Monday, with primary hazards that include wind gusts of 40-60 mph, heavy downpours and small hail. As rain persists through Monday night, there is a risk for localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.
The biggest risk for the most severe weather is likely to be in Orlando area or farther south, said Law, the NWS meteorologist.
“The stronger storm potential will be focused along I-4 and the Orlando metro to maybe Cape Canaveral, south of Orlando,” he said. “In Daytona Beach, we expect mainly moderate to heavy showers and potential lightning.”
Daytona Beach weather radar
Extended forecast for Daytona Beach
Tuesday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85 and nighttime low around 66. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 86 and nighttime low around 67. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 89 and nighttime low around 67. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91 and nighttime low around 71. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92 and nighttime low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon.
Extended forecast for Palm Coast
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80 and nighttime low around 68. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81 and nighttime low around 69. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83 and nighttime low around 70.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85 and nighttime low around 72.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87 and nighttime low around 72.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona’s Welcome to Rockville weather forecast: Bands won’t be the only thing that’s hot
Reporting by Jim Abbott, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
