Singapore GP forecast: 40% rain for Saturday's Sprint, Sunday's race call splits
The biggest variable of Singapore Grand Prix weekend is Saturday afternoon. PlanetF1, Formula1.com and RacingNews365 all say rain could hit Saturday's Sprint (17:00 local, 09:00 UTC). For Sunday's race the outlets disagree, from a 10-20% chance to 40%.
Friday: mostly dry
RacingNews365 expects Friday's practice and Sprint Qualifying to be dry. PlanetF1 has 32C and sunny spells for practice, and about 29C and humid for night-time Sprint Qualifying with an early rain risk of around 20%. Formula1.com is slightly higher at 30% for the afternoon and early evening, and describes the wind as moderate, averaging 7.6 kph with gusts up to 25.2 kph.
Saturday: the Sprint is exposed
PlanetF1 expects a 40% chance of rain and thunder for the late-afternoon Sprint, and below 20% with a light breeze at around 28C for night-time qualifying. RacingNews365 says two rain cells are expected to converge on Singapore in the afternoon, so the 17:00 Sprint could be wet. Formula1.com gives 40% for Saturday afternoon and a heat index of at least 36-38C. Qualifying starts at 21:00 local (13:00 UTC), and RacingNews365 does not say whether rain is expected then.
Sunday: forecasts differ
PlanetF1 says storms could continue into Sunday daytime and wash away grip laid down over the weekend, but expects them to subside by the race with a 10-20% chance and around 29C. Formula1.com instead has 40% on Sunday, with a pop-up shower or thunderstorm possible in the mid-to-late afternoon. RacingNews365 expects rain south of Singapore to move away.
| Session | Local (UTC) | PlanetF1 | Formula1.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Sprint | 17:00 (09:00) | 40%, with thunder | Saturday afternoon 40% |
| Saturday qualifying | 21:00 (13:00) | Below 20% | Saturday daily 40% (afternoon) |
| Sunday race | 20:00 (12:00) | 10-20% | Sunday 40% (mid-to-late afternoon) |
Humidity, wind and track temperature
According to RacingNews365, humidity will be in the 60s in the afternoons and rise to 83% at the planned Grand Prix start. Wind is consistently from the south, giving a tailwind into Turn 1. Formula1.com forecasts track temperature reaching 54-56C in the early-to-mid afternoon on Sunday before cooling considerably ahead of the race. Because the three outlets' numbers differ, check the latest forecast just before each session.