Science & Nature
Beyoncé vs. Mother Nature: Concert Delayed at Soldier Field Due to Severe Weather Threat
(WTTW News)
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour rolls into Soldier Field Thursday night for the first of three shows and the big question is: Is the Beyhive prepared for Chicago weather?
Due to the threat of severe weather, including thunderstorms and hail, Thursday’s show, set to start at 7 p.m., has been delayed until at least 9 p.m., according to Luca Serra, a spokesperson for Soldier Field.
“We’re monitoring the weather and will continue to share updates,” Serra said in an email to WTTW News. “Gates are open for those that have arrived.”
The National Weather Service is warning of a threat for “significant severe weather” Thursday afternoon into the evening. Northeastern Illinois is likely to bear the brunt of thunderstorms, which are moving in an east-northeast direction.
The timing for the severe weather to arrive in the Chicago area is 5-9 p.m., though the weather service said it remains unclear where exactly the scattered storms will strike.
In an afternoon briefing with media on Thursday, the weather service emphasized that there won't be a line of storms, but rather there will be gaps. Powerful thunderstorms could strike the South Side of Chicago but not the North Side, or vice versa, for example, said meteorologist Gino Izzi.
“It will be hit or miss, but if you get hit, you could get hit hard,” Izzi said.
He added that golf-ball-sized hail was likely, and even baseball-sized was possible, though again, it wouldn't be widespread.
Soldier Field has a longstanding evacuation plan in place, with instructions, if necessary, communicated via public address system and/or video boards.
Beyoncé has two more shows scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Note: This article has been updated with new information.
Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 | [email protected]
