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Here's what happens when it thunderstorms at Governors Ball

Written by
Tolly Wright
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So, you've gotten your tickets for Governors Ball, you've studied the schedule to find all the best acts at the mega-music festival and you're completely ready to dance away the next three days when you decide to take a late minute look at the weather forecast. Uh-oh. 

With storms predicted to roll in on Friday evening when Lorde, Beach House and Chance the Rapper are scheduled to perform and again on Sunday evening, we admit we're a bit nervous. Last year's "severe weather" forced the festival to cancel Sunday's performances entirely, which meant no one could catch Death Cab for Cutie, Two Door Cinema Club, Chvrches, Kanye West and a surprise set by Prophets of Rage (tickets were refunded and festival pass holders got a prorated refund). In 2013, high winds and a torrential downpour on Friday left Kings of Leon and Pretty Light unable to perform (Kings of Leon made up their set the next day), but the grounds got so torn up and muddy that the next two days were a slippery mess. The fields on Randalls Island recovered slowly. 

This year, organizers assure us that the festival is prepared. A representative told Time Out, "We contract with a weather monitoring service for up to the minute updates on weather patterns and any potential threats to the festival site. Rest assured that we have a full safety plan in place to quickly and safely address all issues should they arise, including weather."

If dark clouds start to move in, check the fest's official Twitter account @GovBallNYC for announcements regarding any schedule changes and safety warnings about getting around Randalls Island. Even if the skies stay clear, bring a small umbrella (just in case) and consider wearing boots—the grounds have been known to get swampy from all that foot-traffic, regardless of rain.

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