Severe Cold Front Threatens Rolex 24 at Daytona

A severe cold front heading south from the Great Lakes and Eastern Canada will descend on Florida Friday, making the racing there in the Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 29-30 colder than it has been in years.

Temperatures could possibly even reach below the freezing mark.

A hard freeze is expected, the worst in four years in the Central Florida area. Forecasts vary, with some having Saturday night lows from 27 to 30 degrees, along with possible rain. The high Saturday, according to MSN Weather, will be 48, and 51 on Sunday.

Friday, when the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will take the green flag, is when the front is expected to arrive, with a high Friday of 63 and a low of 39. There is about a 40 percent chance of rain during the race. The rain should clear by Saturday, just leaving frigid—by Florida standards—temperatures for the rest of the weekend.

The cold weather could affect tire strategy and other aspects of the Rolex 24, but it will run, as always, rain, shine, hot or cold.