F1 braced for rain-hit United States GP

With temperatures already expected to be below the monthly average for October, a combination of a low-pressure system from the west meeting moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is going to deliver a big downpour.

F1's official weather forecast provider Ubimet thinks that all three days of track action will be hit by poor weather, although race day itself will deliver the least rainfall.

Here is Ubimet's forecast so far:

Wet Friday

On Friday, heavy, partly thundery rain is expected throughout the day in Greater Austin.

F1 chief meteorologist Steffen Dietz said: "During both practice sessions the drivers will experience quite damp and wet conditions on the track."

Due to the compact clouds and the rain, temperatures will not change too much during the day. After 22 degrees in the morning, it will climb to 25 degrees in the afternoon.

Saturday downpour

On Saturday, a strong frontal system will arrive in Austin and deliver very unsettled weather.

Overcast skies and partly heavy rain with high precipitation rates will affect the track, particularly before noon.

Dietz said: "During the afternoon some further, but weaker showers are still expected, so the starting grid could easily be jumbled by the rain too."

Temperatures are expected to reach a maximum value of 24 degrees in the afternoon.

Sunday more settled

Sunday will see abundant clouds with probably some isolated showers. However, their intensity should not be comparable to the amounts of the two previous days.

In any case, the race could see one of these showers hitting the track. Temperatures will slightly drop after the frontal passage, reaching highs of 22 degrees at most.