Storms, Rain May Disrupt Weekend Football in the South

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

September 21,2013; 2:18PM,EDT

 

 

Drenching rain and thunderstorms will advance slowly eastward across the South this weekend, impacting some football games in the region.
The combination of tropical moisture spreading up from the Gulf of Mexico and an approaching cool front from the west will soon bring a slow moving zone of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Southern states.
The rain and storms are forecast to move along at a steady pace over the lower Mississippi Valley this weekend, but could then slow and stall early next week over Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas and Virginia.
This graphic shows rainfall totals for the weekend.
For Saturday in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. Thunderstorms could cause some disruptions.
During Saturday night and Sunday, the rain and thunderstorms will be targeting northern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
Enough rain and poor visibility could occur around Atlanta to cause considerable flight delays later Saturday into Sunday.
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A large part of the South Central states may receive between 1 and 4 inches of rain with the potential for more where the front stalls and a storm system forms along the front.
Rain is needed in parts of the South, despite a very wet first half of the summer in many areas.

But the timing of this rain rain could impact football games of all levels through Sunday.

College Football:

Clearing is forecast over College Station, Texas, Saturday evening where the Mustangs will take on the Aggies at Kyle Field.
Folks heading to Baton Rouge, La., where the Tigers of Auburn and Louisiana State will play, should expect very wet weather for tailgating Saturday afternoon. Lightning may also pose risks to tailgaters. There is a chance that the steady rain will depart in time for the game during the evening.
Fans heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the Colorado State and Crimson Tide match could see a shower or storm in the afternoon while tailgating, but things should be drying out for the evening kick-off.
For fans heading to Tallahassee, Fla., where the Wildcats will take on the Seminoles Saturday evening, there is a risk of rain falling for the afternoon and during the game Saturday evening.

National Football League:

Showers and thunderstorms are in the offing for tailgating at the Giants/Panthers match up at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte Sunday. The rain could break off in time for the game.
There is a chance of a thunderstorm at LP Field in Nashville Sunday afternoon, where the Chargers take on the Titans, but at least most of the time should be rain free.
Sunshine and low humidity are forecast over Dallas Sunday afternoon for the Rams and Cowboys game.
Rain is forecast for tailgating at New Orleans Sunday prior to the Cardinals/Saints game.
Wet weather looks to trail along the front into Monday, bringing more downpours to the Gulf Coast.
According to Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski, three NFL games were delayed by the weather in the first two weeks of regular season football.
"The Thursday night season opener at Denver, Colo., on Sept. 5, and the games on Sunday, Sept. 15, during the afternoon at Tampa, Fla., and later that evening at Seattle, Wash., were all delayed by lightning," Pydynowski said.
Content in this story was contributed by AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Courtney Spamer.