Just before 6.30pm at Suzuka on Friday evening, the Japanese skies were raining heavily.
The rain, forecast to essentially keep falling until late on Saturday, could dump as much as an incredible 85mm on the high speed venue between now and sundown after the third practice and qualifying action.
Qualifying rain almost always mixes up the natural grid order, meaning that the prediction of a dry race on Sunday is an exciting prospect.
"It seems we are set for a fun weekend," said Toro Rosso engineer Laurent Mekies.