Cubs Home Opener Could See Hail Nearly The Size Of A Baseball

CHICAGO — Large hail, high winds and severe thunderstorms could put a damper on the Cubs home opener Thursday against the Washington Nationals. 

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Thursday, predicting a severe thunderstorm will sweep through Chicago after 1 p.m. The game is scheduled to start at 1:20 p.m.

“It’s certainly possible that it could be canceled,” said Kevin Doom, meteorologist at The National Weather Service. 

Doom said predicted hail, potentially greater than 2 inches in diameter, is the “number one threat.” He said the hail could dent cars, break windows, damage houses and even injure people. 

“If you take one of those to the noggin, it certainly could do some decent damage. Definitely won’t be caught outside with two-inch hail,” he said. 

Doom said potential 60 mph winds and lightning could also down trees and power lines. 

He said the National Weather Service advises people to stay indoors during severe thunderstorms, with large open spaces like sports fields being particularly dangerous. 

Those who plan to attend the game or go outside Thursday should make sure they have “quick access to somewhere indoors,” Doom said. A news release about the game from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management said fans should “be aware of the closest exits and evacuation and sheltering procedures within the park” in the event of a weather emergency. 

Fans can find updates on game postponements and cancellations on the Cubs website. 

Rain and thunderstorms could start as early as 10 p.m. Wednesday, the weather service said. Conditions are expected to clear up by Friday, with a forecast of partly sunny and a high near 40 degrees, according to The National Weather Service. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be sunny, reaching highs of 50-60 degrees.

If hail that large does make it to the city, it will be at least the second time this month the Chicago area has been hit with giant hail.

On March 10, a storm produced hailstones of several inches in diameter across many suburbs, including one in Kankakee collected by a meteorologist at Northern Illinois University that measured more than 7 inches in diameter, the Sun-Times reported.

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