World Cup weather: Heat warnings for Qatar v Switzerland, Brazil v Morocco, forecast for all games
This World Cup is going to be hot and at times stormy, with a sizeable chunk of its 104 games set to be played above 90F (32C).
Spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is likely to be the warmest edition since the last time the tournament was held in North America, when the U.S. hosted it solo in 1994.
While extreme heat and humidity will affect how matches are played, thunderstorms could provide the greater logistical challenge.
Under the thunderstorm protocol in place in the United States, a match must be suspended if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium involved.
Once that happens, a 30-minute countdown begins — and resets if another strike is detected before it ends. Last summer, for example, Chelsea’s Club World Cup game against Benfica in Charlotte, North Carolina, took four hours and 38 minutes to complete after repeated lightning delays.
To give an understanding of which games will be most affected, The Athletic is working with Aaron Mentkowski, chief meteorologist for WKBW-TV Buffalo, to provide a daily forecast. Aaron will join live coverage to explain what’s happening during storm delays.
Qatar vs Switzerland
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara; kick-off 12pm local time
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 12pm to 7 pm. Abundant sunshine with temperatures warming up quickly. It will be comfortable this morning at 8a.m. with the temperature 65F (18C) and winds will be light. By 12pm the temperature will be near 80F (27C) with northerly winds at 5 to 10 miles per hour. The temperature will warm up to 88F (31C) by 2pm. UV Index will be 10 and considered very high.
Brazil v Morocco
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey; kick-off 6pm local time
The big weather story for this match will be the heat. It will be mostly sunny and hot with highs near 90F (32C). At 3pm skies will be clear and temperatures will be near 90F (32C). For the start of the game the temperature will be 88F (31C) under sunny skies with northwesterly winds at 5 to 10 miles per hour. The sun will set at 8:28pm so second-half glare could be an issue.
Haiti v Scotland
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough; kick-off 9pm local time
This afternoon will be sunny and hot with temperatures near 90 F (32C). The sun will set at 8:21pm and the temperature will drop to 75F (24C) by 9pm. Skies will be clear; winds will be light and the temperature will be near 70 F (21C) at 11pm.
Australia v Turkey
BC Place, Vancouver; kick-off 9pm local time
A beautiful evening in Vancouver with partly cloudy skies, light winds, and temperatures near 70F (21C) before and after the game.
