Obligatory Dodgers-in-Denver weather update.

DENVER — The Dodgers are playing a game in Colorado tonight, which means there is a threat of rain. It’s a small threat this time, but here is the hour-by-hour forecast; the game is scheduled to begin at 6:10 PM local time:
Denver weather

Update (4:03 p.m.): The Dodgers’ batting practice was cut short and a tarp is covering the field. There’s a severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 5:45 p.m. local time. There’s also a tornado warning in effect for the surrounding areas, though no one is expecting a tornado to strike downtown Denver.

Update (4:09 p.m.): The rain has begun to fall. All but a few fans have retreated to a covered area inside Coors Field. Don Mattingly just signed a few autographs for fans in the rain inside the Dodgers’ dugout.

Update (4:17 p.m.): Lightning struck twice nearby (note: this is not a metaphor). The outfield video board states that “today’s game is currently in a weather delay. Thank you for your patience.” No estimated start time has been given.

Update (4:38 p.m.): Loud thunder is now accompanying the lightning to the ballpark. It’s loud enough to drown out the PA system playing “Anywhere With You” by Jake Owen, which isn’t such a bad thing.

Update (5:00 p.m.): Well, that escalated quickly:

Dodgers Denver rain

The good news is that, for now, it isn’t raining and fans are returning to their seats.

Update (5:10 p.m.): The “severe thunderstorm warning” we reported earlier is supposed to cease any minute now, which jells with the fact that it isn’t raining anymore. Rain isn’t all we’re supposed to worry about. “Conditions currently exist that include heavy rain, hail and high winds,” according to a message on the video board. The tarp remains on the field.

Update (5:36 p.m.): The game was supposed to begin 26 minutes ago. It hasn’t rained that entire time but the tarp hasn’t been removed from the infield either. Fans are sitting in their seats watching MLB Network’s countdown of the Top 50 plays from 2014. There is probably a good reason for all of this, but it has not been shared with the press box. Officially, we’re in a delay. No idea when it’ll end.

Update (5:49 p.m.): More lightning in the distance. Fans in the upper areas of the ballparks have been ordered to seek shelter and were proactively thanked for their cooperation.

Update (5:54 p.m.): I want to replace the Coors Field soundtrack with this song by Grizzly Bear. Appropriate on so many levels.

Update (6:45 p.m.) The tarp is off and the game is scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. It’s still cloudy but there is no rain or hail. Everyone in the press box seems to be either eating or sleeping.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.