French Open: Delays in play likely as rain continues into new week

By Adam Douty, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

May 28,2016; 11:31PM,EDT

 

 

Northern France will remain at risk for occasional rain and thunderstorms through the first half of the coming week, threatening to interfere with play at the French Open.
An area of low pressure will remain stationary over the region for several days, leading to the continuation of unsettled weather through Wednesday.

On Sunday and Monday, periods of rain and drizzle will continue to wet northern France. Rain will generally be light, but a few heavier periods could halt play on occasion. Unlike Saturday, however, the threat for thunder will be minimal on Sunday and into the start of the new week.
Accompanying the rain will be lower temperatures during the start of the week. The high on Monday is expected to only be 16 C (61 F). The average high for the date is 20 C (68 F).
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As the low pressure system spins across the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, the periods of steadier rain will tend to become more scattered. This should prove beneficial as there will be more numerous and longer breaks of dry weather, allowing for continued play.
The downside on these days, however, will be the returned threat for isolated thunderstorms.
Spectators wait for matches to start for the French Open Tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Monday, May 23, 2016 in Paris. Showers over Paris on Monday have forced the organizers to delay the start of play. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The French Open is the only tournament in the Grand Slam system that plays on a clay court, and various weather conditions can have a huge impact. Any amount of rain or moisture can drastically change how the court plays.
"If the court is damp and cool, the court plays slower. Tennis balls get heavier and the overall conditions slow down," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
Matches will go on if it's raining, as long as it's light rain, Rayno said.
Already, weather delayed the first two days of the tournament last week.
French Open players will have to wait until at least 2028 before weather will no longer have an impact on the clay court, as renovation plans for Roland Garros remain in limbo, according to the Associated Press.