While Hurricane Sandy is brewing in the Atlantic, a different type of storm will be stewing on EverBank Field between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. But Sandy will only brush by Jacksonville during the game.
“The main issue is going to be the winds,” said Andrew Shashy, a meteorologist at the Jacksonville National Weather Service.
Winds from the Category 1 hurricane will be roughly a gusty 25 mph Saturday, Shashy said. There is a 50 percent chance of rain in the morning and early afternoon, which will diminish by the time the game starts at 3:30 p.m. There is almost no chance of any weather that would stop the game, like thunder or lightning, he said.
Temperatures will be in the 70s in the afternoon, but Shashy recommends fans bring a sweater or jacket if they plan to go out Saturday evening. It will be breezy with lows in the 50s.
The storm is turning away from shore and going out to sea in the next few days, said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center. Shashy said Sandy is projected to be off the coast of New Jersey by Tuesday.
The game was windy last year, which affected flag and baton twirling, Johana Ballesteros, a 19-year-old UF family, youth and community sciences sophomore, said, adding that the chance of a flag or baton hitting someone is much greater with windy weather.
Still, she is optimistic about her performance and pumped for the game.
“Florida-Georgia is incredibly exciting,” she said.
