Lightning stops play: how electrical storms could disrupt the World Cup
Overview
Under US rules, even a distant strike can suspend a game – and some will take place in Florida, the thunderstorm state
Hot weather will be a major concern at the World Cup, but lightning may also prove a particular problem. Under US safety regulations, a strike within 10 miles (16km) of a stadium triggers a 30-minute suspension of the game, during which players must leave the pitch.
Details
The size of the safety zone was dictated by research on the distance that lightning can strike from a storm even with no clouds overhead. This is more than a theoretical risk. During a game in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998, an entire team was killed by a single bolt of lightning. There have been many other deadly incidents.
Continue reading...Source
Originally published at www.theguardian.com.