Clemson vs UNC football weather updates: Lightning delays Tigers-Tar Heels game
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As North Carolina football drove into the red zone, looking to build on its lead against Clemson in the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels were stopped — not by the Tigers, but Mother Nature.
North Carolina's Week 3 matchup with Clemson at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 19 was stopped with 8:11 remaining in regulation due to lightning in the area.
At the time of the stoppage, coach Bill Belichick's team had a 17-15 lead and was driving, with a second-and-goal at the Tigers' 7-yard line.
North Carolina led by 14, 17-3, late in the second quarter before Clemson rattled off 12 unanswered points.
Here's the latest on the weather in Clemson:
Clemson vs North Carolina weather updates
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3:29 p.m.: The hour-by-hour forecast for Clemson isn't encouraging for a quick resumption of the game. There's at least a 67% chance of thunderstorms until 7 p.m. and even then, there will still be a 39% chance of thunderstorms. By 8 p.m., the storms are expected to subside, which could allow the game to restart.
3:19 p.m.: Looks like it's going to be a while before Clemson and North Carolina resume their game. After the initial lightning strikes, a huge storm appears to be heading south to the area near Memorial Stadium and the Clemson campus.
Gonna be awhile before Clemson resumes play. They have had 2 strikes within 8 miles from a small storm, but lawd the storm diving south from Jocassee is no joke. About 460 lightning strikes from it in the past 30 mins and near severe limits.
Stay Weather Aware. pic.twitter.com/jb2JQnPGYn
— ☈ Chris Jackson ☈ (@ChrisJacksonSC) September 19, 2026
3:02 p.m.: The stoppage occurred because of lightning within eight miles of Memorial Stadium in Clemson, in adherence with severe weather protocols. Fans were encouraged to seek shelter in the concourse or their vehicles.
🚨 GAME UPDATE! 🚨
Severe weather and lightning have been detected within 8 miles of Memorial Stadium. Fans in the stadium should exit the seating area and move to a safer location, such as the concourse or your vehicle.
Fans outside the stadium can shelter in place at Fike… pic.twitter.com/hekHDJb3GF
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) September 19, 2026
3:01 p.m.: With North Carolina driving, the Tar Heels' game at Clemson was stopped due to lightning in the area of Memorial Stadium. It marks the third-consecutive game with a weather delay for coach Dabo Swinney's Tigers.
Per PA announcer, we're in a lightning warning at Memorial Stadium. The Clemson-UNC game is officially on delay. Third straight game with a delay for Clemson
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 19, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clemson vs UNC football weather updates: Lightning delays Tigers-Tar Heels game
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