Nottinghamshire must attempt to setup a run chase at Old Trafford or secure six bonus points in a draw and rely on favourable results elsewhere if they are to reignite fading hopes of winning the LV= County Championship.
The covers remained on the square all day with play abandoned shortly before 4.30pm although a dry forecast for Thursday means their chances are not completely extinguished.
"We never looked like getting on today which is disappointing but we're hopeful that something will happen tomorrow," said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.
"A draw may yet be enough for us although it would be difficult to secure enough bonus points in the time that we have left but there may be a possibility that we could set up a run chase with 16 points available to the winners.
"We'll look at the scores elsewhere in the morning and go from there but we had a fairly amicable discussion with Lancashire at Trent Bridge three weeks ago and you never know what might happen."
Elsewhere, Kent established a first innings lead of 41 runs at Headingley whilst Michael Di Venuto led a Durham fightback against Somerset at the Emirates.