Spring showers are expected to fall tomorrow night as the biggest Hollywood stars descend upon the Dolby theatre for The Oscars ceremony. The National Weather Service has forecast heavy rain for Friday and Saturday in the Los Angeles area, with a chance those showers will extend until Sunday. The Academy’s failsafe in case Mother Nature decides not to play nice? Plastic marquees.

Dallas Buyers ClubDallas Buyers Club features two Oscars favourites: Jared Leto and Matthew Mcconaughey

"We're prepared to welcome our guests regardless of the weather," said a spokesperson for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. As the most important night in the film calendar, precautions are being taken. The plastic marquees will provide cover if rain threatens valuable interview time in the embellished annual build up to the event. And that iconic red carpet – that’s covered by a thick plastic sheet so there’ll be no muddy Armani prints come the big night. 

"There's no perfect science to rain planning," Lewis said. "It's going to leak. There's going to be rain. We're just trying to keep it as dry as possible for show day. There is a point of no return, and we believe that is somewhere between 5 and 8 . Saturday night. That is every year. Last year was the first year in a couple of decades that we never put any tents up at all. We're not as fortunate this year."

Come rain or shine, there are a few certainties comes Oscars night: tears will be shed for Philip Seymour Hoffman, someone will get robbed and about 9 million gifs of Jennifer Lawrence will pop up on the internet 30 minutes into the ceremony. In terms of the night’s most important aspect, the awards, we’re set for one of most close-run ceremonies in years. 12 Years a Slave is vying for Best Picture with Dallas Buyers Club, while the Best Actor category sees stars from both films in a heated contest. The only real certain winner is Cate Blanchett for her role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine.

12 Years a Slave12 Years a Slave is the favourite to win Best Picture