Temperatures for rodeo weekend are usually very warm. However , strong thunderstorms can develop on rodeo weekend.

 In 1997 Hurricane Danny suspended the rodeo. Once the coast guard left the island, the rodeo officials pushed the date back to September.

Severe Thunderstorms in 2000 brought waterspouts, lightning strikes, and extremely rough seas. A number of boats were badly damaged.

The tent at the rodeo site blew down in a severe thunderstorm with winds over 40 mph in 2001. People at the rodeo site had to seek shelter in the cinderblock building on Saturday evening.

Lightning

Lightning is the leading cause of weather related deaths in the United States. More deaths are attributed to lightning than tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes. July is the leading month in the number of lightning strikes reported. Water related activities result in the second leading number of lighting strike incidents that are reported each year.

Lightning strikes the tallest object, so boats are very vulnerable in the open water.  When thunderstorms are present, small boats should return to port immediately. Larger boats in the Gulf should try to avoid intense storms. If the storm is unavoidable, the safest place to go is down to the cabin or state room below.