The NFL season opener between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, experienced a 20-minute delay on Thursday night due to a passing storm that brought heavy rain and lightning. The game, initially set to begin at 7:20 p.m. CDT, was pushed back following the storm. After the rain stopped, the teams agreed to a shortened 25-minute warm-up session, starting at 7 p.m., allowing the Chiefs a brief window to raise their latest Super Bowl banner and to conduct pregame ceremonies like the national anthem.
Special teams players were on the field for warmups when the weather suddenly deteriorated, prompting fans to seek shelter as rain poured down and lightning flashed in the sky. Safety protocols were followed, and the players were escorted off the field as a precaution against the lightning.
Although the heavy rain lasted for only about 20 minutes, it left some standing water in the stadium corners due to its intensity. The sudden storm also caused a significant temperature drop of around 25 degrees Fahrenheit from the high of 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius).
Further pop-up storms were anticipated in the area through the early morning, with the likelihood of more thunderstorms increasing after midnight. However, the NFL aimed to complete the game without further interruptions from inclement weather.
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