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The Conversation
The Conversation
Chris Vagasky, Meteorologist and Research Program Manager, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Game delays for lightning may be annoying, but they save lives – a sports meteorologist explains the risk

Football Lee Corso NCAA Alabama NFL
When lightning is nearby, fans and players are urged to move to sheltered areas. Mark Thorstenson-Orlando City/MLS via Getty Images

When nearby lightning forces officials to delay a big college football game, the backlash from fans can be fierce, especially if the sky over the stadium is still mostly blue.

Sports fans took to social media to complain loudly when nearby lightning forced several game delays on Sept. 19, 2026, including Florida State at Alabama, North Carolina at Clemson, BYU at Colorado State, and Charlotte at Appalachian State. The Alabama delays earned particular anger because there was no rain at Bryant-Denny Stadium at the time.

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