Weather forecast for MotoGP at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

It’s unlikely MotoGP will suffer a repeat of last year’s weather-induced schedule chaos, but there’s a chance rain could hit Phillip Island again.

Rain hit the Moto3 race on Sunday at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2023. Image: Gold & Good/Red Bull Content Pool

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a wet Friday with upwards of 25mm and the possibility of a shower or two on Saturday.

Of the three days, Friday’s weather looks the worst with a low pressure system sweeping across South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.

The worst weather is due around midday in Melbourne on Friday with the possibility of thunderstorms with potentially strong gusts and heavy rain.

The high winds that precluded MotoGP from holding its sprint on Sunday last year aren’t expected to return.

So bad was the forecast in 2023 that organisers brought the grand prix forward to Saturday.

Sunday’s postponed sprint was eventually cancelled due to high winds, but a repeat looks unlikely at this stage.

The Bureau of Meteorology has tipped a windy Saturday but blustery conditions should die down on Sunday.

MotoGP will headline the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix with support from Moto2, Moto3, and Oceania Junior Cup.

Saturday’s sprint gets underway at 3pm AEDT with Sunday’s grand prix set to start at 2pm AEDT.

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix race week weather forecast (via Bureau of Meteorology)

Friday (October 18) – Rain at times, Possible storm, Max 22 – 95 percent chance of any rain

Cloudy. Very high chance of rain, easing late in the day. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon, with possible heavy falls near the Yarra Valley in the afternoon and early evening. Thunderstorms possibly severe with heavy falls, damaging winds and large hail. Damaging winds possible about the central ranges in the morning. Winds north to northwesterly 25 to 40 km/h turning west to southwesterly in the late morning and early afternoon. Daytime maximum temperatures between 19 and 24.

Saturday (October 19) – Cloudy, Min 11, Max 17 – 40 percent chance of any rain

Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the east, slight chance elsewhere. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 6 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.

Sunday (October 20) – Cloudy, Min 11, Max 17 – 20 percent chance of any rain

Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h tending south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20.