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 previous World Cup 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, 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, but resets if another strike is detected before it ends. On June 22, the game between France and Iraq became the first World Cup game delayed by the storms, stopping for more than two hours.
To help understand which games will be most affected, The Athletic is working with Aaron Mentkowski, chief meteorologist at WKBW-TV Buffalo, to provide a daily forecast. Aaron will join live coverage to explain what’s happening during storm delays.Australia vs EgyptAT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas. Kick-off: 1pm local time, 2pm EDTAn indoor match with air conditioning, so no issues on the pitch. It will be a sunny and hot one in Arlington today. At 1pm, the match will start with an outside temperature of 94F (34C). Temperatures will warm up to 97F (36C) after the game under partly sunny skies. Winds will be out of the south at five to 15 miles per hour. Argentina vs Cape VerdeHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. Kick-off: 6pm EDTPartly sunny, hot and humid with scattered showers and thunderstorms in Miami today. At 6pm, the temperature will be 87F (30C), with a 40 per cent chance for a shower or thundershower, and winds out of the southeast at five to 10 miles per hour. The storm chance will diminish in the second half. Temperatures will only drop to 85F (29C) during the match. The sun will set at 8.16pm. I will monitor this game for any lightning delays. Colombia vs GhanaArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri. Kick-off: 8.30pm local time, 9.30pm EDTKansas City is under an extreme heat warning today. Hot and humid with temperatures near 93F (34C) this afternoon in Kansas City. At 8.30pm, the match will start with a temperature of 86F (30C). The sun will set at 8.48pm and the temperature by the end of the match will be 82F (28C). Winds will be southeasterly, five to 10 miles per hour.
