2019 French Open: Rain, thunderstorms to threaten additional delays in play
Rain and thunderstorms this week at the 2019 French Open will keep the risk for heat at bay for the remainder of the tournament, but wet weather will also bring the risk of additional delays to play.
Following heat that plagued the French Open over the weekend with the Paris high temperature topping out at near 32 C (90 F) Sunday, a dramatic change in the weather was felt on Monday as temperatures struggled to reach 21 C (70 F) and brief showers dampened the Paris area.
Spectators watch the second round match of the French Open tennis tournament between Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero and France's Richard Gasquet at the new Simonne Mathieu court of the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Thunderstorms resulted in delays on Tuesday as quarter-final action got underway.
The weather will continue to play a big factor in some matches as the week progresses with several days featuring at least the chance for a shower or thunderstorm.
The unsettled weather will be caused by frequent storm systems from the Atlantic Ocean that will bring not only chances for rainfall, but cooler air, which is expected to last into the final weekend of the tournament.
Wednesday may end up the wettest day of the week with lengthy periods of rainfall and the risk for thunderstorms throughout the entire day.
Thick clouds and frequent rainfall will limit temperatures with an afternoon high of only 16 C (60 F).
Spectators hoping for a dry day may luck out on Thursday as one storm system departs and another approaches, giving a brief period of dry weather to northern France. A brief shower could pass through the area during the afternoon hours; however, the majority of the day is expected to be rain-free.
The day will feature a mixture of clouds and sunshine with an afternoon high temperature of 18 C (65 F). The return of sunshine will also mean a higher risk for sunburn, so spectators should apply sunscreen and seek out shade when possible.
Spain's Rafael Nadal plays a shot against Germany's Yannick Maden during their second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, May 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The dry, sunny weather will not last as rain and thunderstorms return for Friday, threatening lengthy delays to all scheduled matches.
Dry weather may make a brief appearance on Saturday before the risk of showers and perhaps even a thunderstorm increases for Sunday.
Philippe-Chatrier Court, the primary venue at Roland Garros, remains the only stadium out of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments that does not have a roof to help avoid lengthy rain delays.
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