{
  "id": "2024-08-31-scott-stadium-virginia-richmond-lightning-delay",
  "slug": "scott-stadium-virginia-richmond-lightning-delay-2024-08-31",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Virginia",
    "shortName": "UVA",
    "state": "VA",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "UVA Alerts / Scott Stadium PA",
    "enrollment": 26000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2024-08-31",
    "type": "severe-storm",
    "cleryCategory": "advisory",
    "headline": "Severe storm, August 31, 2024",
    "summary": "Severe thunderstorms and lightning suspended UVA's season opener against Richmond at Scott Stadium [with 4:48 left in the second quarter on August 31, 2024](https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2024/8/31/24233269/virginia-cavaliers-uva-football-virginia-football-richmond-weather-delay-restart). Fans were advised to leave the stadium roughly 10 minutes before the stoppage, and after a [delay of about 2 hours and 17 minutes the game restarted at 9:17 p.m. ET](https://augustafreepress.com/news/live-coverage-uva-football-opens-2024-season-with-richmond/).",
    "outcome": "Play resumed at 9:17 p.m. ET after a delay of about 2 hours, 17 minutes; UVA beat Richmond 34-13.",
    "resolution": "confirmed-threat"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "Severe weather is anticipated in the Charlottesville area. At this time, the game has not been suspended or\ndelayed but fans are encouraged to begin seeking shelter. Re-entry will be permitted once weather has cleared\nwith proof of ticket purchase.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim from official @VirginiaSports X post (Virginia Athletics). Newlines in seq1 preserved as transmitted."
      ],
      "characterCount": 248,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830014788165828865",
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T18:48:20-04:00",
      "sourceDescription": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T18:49:50-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830015165460316204",
      "sourceDescription": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": []
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "The Virginia vs Richmond game has been delayed due to severe weather within the area near Scott Stadium. We ask that fans please evacuate Scott Stadium and take shelter in their personal vehicle or one of the surrounding Emergency Shelter locations.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim from official @VirginiaSports X post (Virginia Athletics). Newlines in seq1 preserved as transmitted."
      ],
      "characterCount": 249,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830017640867254415",
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T18:59:40-04:00",
      "sourceDescription": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 4,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T19:15:30-04:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830021627024638006",
      "sourceDescription": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": []
    },
    {
      "sequence": 5,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "Inclement weather has cleared the area. Gates will reopen at approximately 9:10pm. Fan will be permitted to re-enter after going through security screening and showing proof of ticket. The game will begin at 9:17 p.m.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim from official @VirginiaSports X post (Virginia Athletics). Newlines in seq1 preserved as transmitted."
      ],
      "characterCount": 217,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830047965269860491",
      "timestamp": "2024-08-31T21:00:10-04:00",
      "sourceDescription": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Scott Stadium in Charlottesville follows an inclement-weather policy that uses radar tracking and can suspend a game and evacuate the stadium, alerting fans by text, PA, local media and social platforms. On August 31, 2024, the season opener against Richmond was [suspended with 4:48 left in the second quarter as UVA led 20-7](https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2024/8/31/24233269/virginia-cavaliers-uva-football-virginia-football-richmond-weather-delay-restart), and [WFXR reported the game entered a lightning delay](https://www.wfxrtv.com/sports/virginia-richmond-football-game-enters-a-lightning-delay/). After about [2 hours and 17 minutes, play resumed at 9:17 p.m. ET](https://augustafreepress.com/news/live-coverage-uva-football-opens-2024-season-with-richmond/) and UVA won 34-13. It was the second straight year the UVA opener was hit by a weather delay.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Play was suspended with 4:48 left in the second quarter; fans were advised to leave about 10 minutes earlier",
    "The delay lasted about 2 hours and 17 minutes, with a 9:17 p.m. ET restart",
    "UVA's policy alerts fans by text, PA, local media and social platforms and allows re-entry after storms pass"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "@VirginiaSports Scott Stadium weather delay chain (X)",
      "url": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830017640867254415",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "UVA football season opener vs Richmond set for 9:17 restart after weather delay - Streaking The Lawn",
      "url": "https://www.streakingthelawn.com/2024/8/31/24233269/virginia-cavaliers-uva-football-virginia-football-richmond-weather-delay-restart",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "Final: UVA waits out thunder, lightning, dispatches Richmond in opener, 34-13 - Augusta Free Press",
      "url": "https://augustafreepress.com/news/live-coverage-uva-football-opens-2024-season-with-richmond/",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "Virginia-Richmond football game enters a lightning delay - WFXR",
      "url": "https://www.wfxrtv.com/sports/virginia-richmond-football-game-enters-a-lightning-delay/",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "@VirginiaSports on X status 1830015165460316204",
      "url": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830015165460316204",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "@VirginiaSports on X status 1830021627024638006",
      "url": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830021627024638006",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)",
      "url": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830014788165828865",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "@VirginiaSports on X (verbatim)",
      "url": "https://x.com/VirginiaSports/status/1830047965269860491",
      "type": "official-archive"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "severe-storm",
    "lightning",
    "weather-delay",
    "stadium",
    "virginia",
    "game-day",
    "evacuation"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-05-28",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-20",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}