2016 PGA Championship: Drenching weekend rain may suspend play again following delayed start on Friday

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

July 30,2016; 1:03PM,EDT

 

 

Additional downpours are likely to roll across northern New Jersey and could suspend play during the late rounds at the 98th PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club this weekend.
Baltusrol is located in the suburban landscape of Springfield, New Jersey, about 5 miles west of Newark.
A soaking rain already forced a late start for play on Friday, according to the Associated Press, after about 0.75 of an inch of rain fell across the area from Thursday evening into Friday.

The risk of downpours will return on Saturday with the greatest potential for heavy rainfall during the late afternoon and evening hours, following some morning and early afternoon sunshine.
On Sunday, clouds will dominate and a shower can occur at any time, but multiple showers are possible during the afternoon.
Some of the rain through this weekend will be heavy enough to bring the risk of brief, minor flooding, especially on some of the greens and low-lying areas of the fairways.
Rain water puddles on the ninth green after play was suspended during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., Friday, July 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
While rain and thunderstorms could threaten play during the latter part of the weekend, moisture is not all bad.
"The wetter the ground, the less the roll and the easier it is to pick and keep to a targeted landing zone," according to Bradley Klein, architecture editor of Golfweek Magazine and author of numerous books on golf course design.
Winds through much of the weekend will be variable, but generally under 8 mph, except in the vicinity of the pop-up thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening.
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AccuWeather MinuteCast® for Oakmont
Northeast weather radar
The region is coming off a stretch of more than a week with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures near 100 F.
Lower temperatures and higher humidity levels are in store for the duration of play, compared to earlier in the week. With humidity factored in, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will rise into 80s in the morning and 90s during the afternoon.