Women's World Cup Final: Heat, thunderstorms may cause delays
The European data group, Copernicus Climate Change Service, announced on July, 2, that June 2019 was the hottest June ever recorded, beating the previous record set in 2016.
The final match of the 2019 Women's World Cup is set to take place on Sunday, and the weather may lead to delays.
After defeating England on Tuesday, the United States advanced to the Finals and will take on the Netherlands at 5 p.m., local time, at the Lyon Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
Following temperatures soaring to near 34 C (lower 90s F) in the days preceding the match, it will remain hot in Lyon on Sunday with temperatures approaching 31 C (88 F). AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will rise to around 33 C (91 F).
United States' Alex Morgan celebrates after scoring her side's second goal during the Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and the United States, at the Stade de Lyon, outside Lyon, France, on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Temperatures may still be around 30 C (middle and upper 80s F) as the United States team faces the Netherlands. Early in the match, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures may be high enough for the referee to grant water breaks.
Water breaks are required by FIFA rules anytime after 30 minutes into a game played in extreme heat.
The threshold for extreme heat has been set at 32 C (89.6 F) on the wet-bulb globe temperature index. The wet-bulb globe temperature index is calculated using a combination of temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.
Those same components are part of the equation used to calculate the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature.
It is possible that a shower or thunderstorm will knock down actual and AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures to around 28 C (lower 80s F) for the match.
"However, any thunderstorm could lead to a delay to the pre-game warmups and the start of the match due to lightning," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
Spectators, including those outside of the stadium, should remain alert and be ready to seek shelter as soon as thunder is heard.
Even in the absence of lightning, any rain can dampen the pitch and create slick conditions for players.
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