Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns weather forecast: Expect another soggy day

As all First Coast residents who have wanted to play golf, go fishing, mow their lawn or watch their kids play outdoor sports know, it has rained, day after day, for 11 days in a row as of Friday .

Now comes the area’s biggest one-day event: a Jacksonville Jaguars game.

The Jaguars will make their 2024 home debut on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (1 p.m., CBS) at EverBank Stadium , and the weather forecast as of Friday afternoon predicted rain chances at higher than 50-50.

NFL games don’t take a break for rain (unless lightning is in the area, which is possible at some point during the first half according to Weather Underground ) and in an outdoor stadium such as EverBank, fans will also get doused.

But no one can control the weather and the only option for fans is to come ready with ponchos, raincoats or other protective clothing.

Or perhaps come with a mindset that a little rain, especially when the temperatures will be in the 80s, never hurt anyone.

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ASM Global GM said field has held up well to rain

Mike Kenny, the general manager of ASM Global, which manages EverBank Stadium and the other sports complex venues, said the playing surface is in "great shape," despite the amount of rain that has fallen in the area.

"Our drainage is very solid and we have pumps underground that pump the water out," he said. "We're fortunate to have the technology and the hard work our guys are putting in."

Kenny said 3 inches of rain has fallen just this week at the stadium. Most areas of the First Coast have reported up to 20 inches of rain since Sept. 3.

Kenny said the grounds crew has the option to cover the field with tarps but hasn't felt the need to this point. The only impact of the weather so far is that crews weren't able to paint the field and end ones until Friday, a day later than usual.

Jaguars fans should heed all warnings

Kenny said the game will go on as scheduled regardless of how much rain falls. The issue will be if lightning approaches the area. A meteorologist from the National Weather Service will be in Kenny's command center at the stadium, giving real-time forecasts.

If dangerous weather approaches the area, warnings will immediately go out on the large stadium scoreboard, the public address system, digital signs on the stadium concourses and through the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office social media accounts — which Kenny recommends fans begin following if they don't already.

Kenny said fans should immediately follow evacuation orders. If they are in parking lots, the safest alternative will be to get in their cars. If fans have arrived by the JTA shuttle or rideshare and dangerous weather occurs before the game, they will be offered shelter inside the stadium.

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Kenny said fans should be reminded that umbrellas are not allowed inside the stadium. A limited number of ponchos will be available as supplies last at guest services areas.

Fans are also asked not to take trash bags out of containers inside and around the stadium and use them as makeshift ponchos.

What are the rain chances for Sunday’s Jaguars- Browns game?

Beginning when the first gates and stadium parking lots open, there is a strong chance of rain throughout game day in the downtown area, according to Weather Underground’s tracking station within the footprint of the downtown sports complex.

• 9 a.m. — 63 percent chance of rain, 78 degrees, wind from the Northeast 7 mph.
• 10 a.m. — 61 percent chance of rain, 79 degrees, wind from the Northeast 8 mph.
• 11 a.m. — 65 percent chance of rain, 80 degrees, wind from the Northeast 10 mph.
• Noon — 64 percent chance of rain, 81 degrees, wind from the Northeast 10 mph.
• 1 p.m. (kickoff) — 59 percent chance of rain, 82 degrees, wind from the Northeast 10 mph.
• 2 p.m. — 63 percent chance of thunderstorms, 81 degrees, wind from the Northeast 13 mph.
• 3 p.m. — 46 percent chance of showers, 82 degrees, wind from the Northeast 13 mph.
• 4 p.m. — 40 percent chance of light rain, 81 degrees, wind from the Northeast 13 mph.
• Fans should also exert caution on the ride home. There is a 57 percent chance of thunderstorms at 5 p.m., a 43 percent chance of showers at 6 p.m., dropping to 35 percent by 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns weather forecast: Expect another soggy day