Another festival could, may, or might, fall victim to the bad weather theme we’ve seen for the past months.
It’s a worldwide trend, though an undesirable one. Several music festivals have had their weekends washed down and out by rain lately, From Tomorrowland Brasil, to Ultra Miami, to Movement, and even, memorably so, Burning Man. Weather conditions are, as far as we’re aware, largely out of human control, and so festivals can only receive the news and get ready for the adversity.
This weekend, all eyes are on Tomorrowland.
Tomorrowland Faces Scorching Temperatures, Then Potential Storm Threat
The eagerly awaited first weekend of Tomorrowland might face a weather challenge. Forecasters are predicting high temperatures reaching around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), with Friday and Saturday offering a brief respite from rain. However, the lack of rain may lead to increased pressure on emergency services. Heatstroke is a very real thing.
As the weekend progresses, the conditions will change. A band of potentially severe thunderstorms is forecast to roll across the region overnight from Saturday to Sunday, posing a potential risk to campers at Dreamville. Some weather models hint at the possibility of disruptive storms. Despite this potential threat, organizers remain calm and somewhat confident.
“We have a dedicated on-site meteorologist who provides ongoing updates on weather conditions“, stated spokesperson Debby Wilmsen. “Comprehensive emergency plans and response scenarios have been established for a variety of situations, encompassing both rain and intense heat. The reality is that the weather is ultimately unpredictable, so our focus is on proactive preparation for any eventuality“.
In the past, Tomorrowland used hail cannons to dispel thunderclouds — because rain is the last thing you want with a main stage in a valley. At the time, weatherman Frank Deboosere, among others, dismissed their use as nonsense. “We haven’t had hail cannons for years”, says Wilmsen. “We monitor the weather situation from the Event Control Center (ECC), which monitors safety on the site”.
The final day of the first weekend is forecast to be cooler and more changeable, with a chance of showers. Maximum temperatures are still expected to range between 66 and 73 degrees.
[H/T] GVA