Rain may dampen Dayton air show but it won't be washed out

Visitors to this year’s annual Vectren Dayton Air Show can expect some warmer, wet weather for the weekend’s festivities at the airport.

Showers will persist through the week and into the weekend, but at this point they appear to be minor and should not last the entire days of the show, said Dontae Jones, Storm Center 7 meteorologist.

The air show starts Saturday and continues through Sunday afternoon. The Air Force’s Thunderbirds will perform, among pilots and aircraft.

“I don’t think it’ll be a complete washout,” Jones said. “But, it’s going to be one of those types of summer days where it’s warm, it’s muggy and some sun shine is out.”

Friday is the first day of summer, so this weekend “and the weather will start to feel like it by that time,” Jones said.

As of now, the high for Saturday is expected to be around 83 degrees and the high for Sunday will be around 84 degrees.

When it’s not raining, skies will be partly cloudy, Jones said. Showers and thunderstorms will likely start in the late afternoon and early evening.

“A pop-up shower or thunderstorm for the afternoon and evening is possible,” Jones said. “There could be a few of them, not just one or two.”

Since the air show is still a few days away, the weather will have the chance to change some, Jones said.

Air show spectators can download Storm Center 7’s WHIO Weather app on their phones and use the app’s radar to track any storms and stay up-to-date with the forecast.

The air show recommends guests wear sunblock and bring water bottles so they can stay hydrated if temperatures spike.

The air show usually takes place regardless of the weather and does not offer rain checks or refunds on tickets. Alternative parking is available if rain washes out the fields nearby, according to the show.

Weather can help make or break the annual air show, and officials always have to be prepared for both minor and severe storms, said Scott Buchanan, chairman of the board for the show.

Years where the weather is less than inviting can sometimes see dips in attendance, Buchanan said.

But, even if there’s bad weather, Buchanan said the show will adjust and move to a “plan B.” If there’s a break in storms or rain, usually the Thunderbirds are still able to get off the ground and perform what Buchanan called a “low show.”

“We’ve had a few days where they may not fly,” Buchanan said. “But, even if the weather breaks the Thunderbirds have a low show…and they still get in most of it.”

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How To Go

Tickets: Available on DaytonAirShow.com and at Kroger.

When: Gates open 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Featured show: Noon to 4:15 p.m.

Parking: Take exit 64 on I-75 or exit 32 on I-70 and follow signs.

Shuttle: A $3 service from the Air Force Museum to air show gates.