SOCCER
Severe thunderstorm watch: Will it affect El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona today?
Severe weather warnings and a high chance of lightning could imperil what promises to be one of the highlights of the pre-season calendar.
El Clasico, the highly anticipated pre-season friendly match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, is set to take place tonight at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. However, fans and organizers are closely monitoring the weather, as a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the area.
The weather forecast for New Jersey indicates heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the evening, which could potentially impact the match. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch, warning of possible strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning. This watch is in effect until late evening, coinciding with the scheduled kickoff time of 7:00 PM local time.
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Given the current weather conditions, there is a possibility that the match could be delayed or even postponed, depending on the severity of storm and the protocol.
The protocol for severe storms
In the event of such storms, the protocol is as follows:
If lightning strikes within a diameter of 8 miles, the game must be suspended and both teams and spectators must take cover. The game would only be resumed after 30 minutes without a lightning strike within the aforementioned diameter.
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All fans will be hoping the game can go ahead without a hitch; it is one of the sports biggest matches being played on US soil after all.