Thunderstorms may disrupt World Cup Final on Sunday

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

July 14, 2018, 10:16:31 AM EDT

The comfortable weather in place for Saturday’s third place match is not expected to hold for Sunday’s World Cup Final.

As France and Croatia battle to be crown champions of the World Cup, lightning may attempt to add to what is sure to be an electrifying atmosphere in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday evening.

France soccer fans cheer as they walk through Nikolskaya street before the final soccer match between Croatia and France during the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Showers and thunderstorms can develop around Moscow on Sunday and linger into the early-evening hours.

"If the pitch becomes wet, it will lead to slippery conditions for the ball and players," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

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Any lightning in the vicinity can delay the match and force players and spectators to seek shelter for a time.

Spectators enjoying pre-match festivities outdoors should also keep an eye to the sky and move into a sealed vehicle or indoors as soon as thunder is heard. Remember that park pavilions are not a safe place to be during a thunderstorm.

Otherwise, Roys anticipates temperatures to be around 26 C (79 F) at the start of the match and fall closer to 25 C (77 F) by the time the final whistle is blown.

Temperatures can drop even lower with the passage of a shower or thunderstorm.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to dissipate later in the evening, allowing fans of the winning team to celebrate without the threat of lightning or need for rain gear.