NFL fans waited a long six-plus months between the Super Bowl and the official start of the 2024 NFL season.
They may have to wait a bit longer before they see the Chiefs and Ravens kickoff the season.
The start of the Chiefs vs. Ravens season opener was delayed by inclement weather in Kansas City on Thursday night. A small storm cell hit Arrowhead Stadium, and there was lightning in the area, which caused the delay.
Here's what to know about the weather for the Chiefs-Ravens game and how the storm may impact the contest.
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Chiefs vs. Ravens weather updates
A small storm cell blew into Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City just an hour before the Chiefs vs. Ravens game began.
Heavy rain began to fall at the stadium, and there was a lightning strike in the area, as captured by NBC's cameras at the game.
That lightning at NFL Kickoff! ⚡️👀 pic.twitter.com/LOLQTicEXZ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 5, 2024
Absolutely dumping rain ahead of the season opener. Thunder and lightning, too.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 5, 2024
⛈️ ⛈️ ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/rn2CINgYug
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Fans were cleared from the stands because of the inclement weather, as announced on the scoreboard at Arrowhead Stadium.
Please be advised that due to pending weather conditions, all event/game activities will be interrupted. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium asks that all guests make their way to the concourses and out of the elements and follow the direction of Stadium Staff.
Players were also cleared from the field and remained in the locker room as pregame warmups were delayed.
Neither the Chiefs nor the NFL has yet provided an update about the season opener's start time. The Chiefs did crack a joke about the storm by referencing a post they put on X (formerly Twitter) earlier in the day.
We didn't mean literally... 😅 https://t.co/BBzkwIwPDW
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 5, 2024
The players are expected to return to the field at 8 p.m. ET, per Chiefs Digest's Matt Derrick. They will have 25 minutes to warm up while the following 14 minutes will be dedicated to the pregame ceremonies.
That will put the game on track to kick off at roughly 8:40 p.m. ET (7:40 p.m. locally), per the Chiefs and the NFL.
Kickoff vs. the Ravens will now be at 7:40pm CT.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 6, 2024
Players will begin warming up shortly.
— NFL (@NFL) September 5, 2024
Kickoff now slated for 8:40pm ET. (via @SNFonNBC)
📺: #Kickoff2024 on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus
Kansas City weather forecast for Chiefs vs. Ravens
NFL fans will be on the lookout for more storm cells as the season opener between the Chiefs and Ravens is played. Thunderstorms could occur during the game, according to the Weather Channel's hourly forecast.
Thunderstorm chances max out at 80 percent during the 11 p.m. ET hours. Below is a full look at the hour-by-hour weather:
| Hour (ET) | Forecast | Chance of rain |
| 8 p.m. | Isolated thunderstorms | 31% |
| 9 p.m. | Scattered thunderstorms | 44% |
| 10 p.m. | Thunderstorms | 72% |
| 11 p.m. | Heavy thunderstorms | 80% |
| Midnight | Heavy thunderstorms | 73% |
| 1 a.m. | Thunderstorms | 65% |
| 2 a.m. | Thunderstorms | 60% |
So long as there isn't lightning near the stadium, the Chiefs and Ravens will be able to play through the rain. But if there is lightning, NFL fans may be subject to a second delay of the first game of the 2024 season.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
