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Taylor Swift likely to perform her first Sydney show in a hot thunderstorm

With hot temperatures across the country, those attending Accor Stadium will likely have to deal with heavy rain and storms while trying to beat the heat.

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Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans attending her Eras Tour will have to deal with scorching hot weather and the risk of a severe thunderstorm, on the night of Swift’s first Sydney show.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted a maximum temperature of 35C on Friday, with an 80 per cent chance of rain in the late afternoon and the evening. A “possibly severe” thunderstorm is also likely in the afternoon and evening, with potentially damaging winds and large hail that could affect the musician and those in attendance at her show.

Taylor Swift has performed in the rain before, but conditions on Friday night are being described as “possibly severe”. Picture: TAS Rights Management/Getty Images
Taylor Swift has performed in the rain before, but conditions on Friday night are being described as “possibly severe”. Picture: TAS Rights Management/Getty Images

A spokesperson for Accor Stadium said the show will go on “rain or shine” – with the exception of severe weather, “which could impact the safety of artists and patrons”.

“Such a decision would be made by NSW Police, the event promoters and Venues NSW staff,” they said. No such decision has been made.

Some have discussed the possibility of adding a roof to Accor Stadium to avoid poor weather conditions in the future, such as Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather.

“That will provide a massive competitive advantage actually for New South Wales both domestically and internationally,” she said. “It would certainly enable us to compete very effectively against Melbourne. They have a number of stadiums and arenas with operable roofs and we actually have none.”

The predicted temperature for NSW at 5pm on Friday. Picture: BOM
The predicted temperature for NSW at 5pm on Friday. Picture: BOM
The predicted weather for the country at 5pm on Friday. Picture: BOM
The predicted weather for the country at 5pm on Friday. Picture: BOM

Hot weather is expected across the country on Friday, with Perth in particular expected to reach a maximum temperature of 39C.

There is currently a heatwave warning in Western Australia and Tasmania, and a severe thunderstorm warning in the Northern Territory.

Originally published as Taylor Swift likely to perform her first Sydney show in a hot thunderstorm

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/music/tours/taylor-swift-likely-to-perform-her-first-sydney-show-in-a-hot-thunderstorm/news-story/81eea7852181ff7bba9f1eac256b7e1a