The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at the White House on Sunday is the first-ever professional sporting event at the US presidential residence, but hot weather and thunderstorms expected to sweep across the city are causing delays.
About 4,300 people are expected at the invite-only mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn, with another 85,000 expected at a nearby fan zone.
A weather forecast that includes the air thickening to humidity exceeding 70%, temperatures hovering around 80F (27C), and winds gusting through the area, meant the action was put off for an hour. Its original start time was 20:00 EDT (midnight GMT, 01:00 BST).
The National Weather Service has warned "damaging thunderstorms" may shake the region in the evening, and it forecasts a 70% chance of rain that could drop as much as half an inch of water on Washington.
The event coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, which is also Flag Day, and is part of celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.
About 4,300 people are expected at the invite-only mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn, with another 85,000 expected at a nearby fan zone.
A weather forecast that includes the air thickening to humidity exceeding 70%, temperatures hovering around 80F (27C), and winds gusting through the area, meant the action was put off for an hour. Its original start time was 20:00 EDT (midnight GMT, 01:00 BST).
The National Weather Service has warned "damaging thunderstorms" may shake the region in the evening, and it forecasts a 70% chance of rain that could drop as much as half an inch of water on Washington.
The event coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, which is also Flag Day, and is part of celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.
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