There are many factors that influence any game positively or adversely. While the sounds of the crowd cheering, stroke of the bat or squeak of sneakers on the court, or the sound of the starter’s gun are immensely positive aspects that impact the game in a positive manner, there are several factors like inconvenient training regime, low levels of physical literacy like motivation and cognitive competence or even adverse weather conditions play a vital role in impact the game negatively.

Weather conditions play a significant role in shaping athletic performances during a match. Heat waves, cold weather (particularly snowfall), rain and storms, thunder and lightning, and humidity, not only affect the physical performance adversely, but also affects the mental performance. The adverse weather conditions give rise to stress and anxiety in the minds of the athletes nd forces them to perform under great pressure. Primarily, this induces lack of motivation in the athletes, besides affecting recovery strategies during the challenging weather conditions.

Weather and sports are closely connected, as weather plays a crucial role in regulating bodies’ internal environment, in the following manners:
• Warm up routine: Athletes adjust to the weather conditions and determine their warm up routines. For example: Winters require longer warm up routines and summers require dynamic stretches to avoid overheating of the body from within. But with frequent weather changes, it is difficult for the athlete to decide on his preferred warm up routine and affects the overall performance of an athlete.
• Problems in adapting: Change in weather leads to difficulties in adapting to strategies which are fixed from beforehand. Thus, even training and performance is jeopardized because the sudden change in weather needs the athlete to change his/her strategies right at the moment which may not be good for his/her game.
• Motivation dynamics is affected: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can be affected due to harsh weather conditions like heat, humidity or rain. But while few athletes take up the challenging weather conditions as an opportunity for growth and think about the adversities as a scope for developing the game as well as performance, most of the athletes are demotivated, and tend to lose engagement and focus from the game.
• Elevates anxiety: We do not have control over weather and thus, we have to accept what nature has in store for us while we are in the game. Adverse weather conditions like heat, humidity, rain and storm, thunder and lightning can disrupt the pace of the game. Not only do these make the game uncertain, but also adds to the uncertainty of the athlete. The growing stress in the athlete’s mind hinders optimal performance, and can also lead to mental fatigue and hinder the capability of decision making.
• Expectation management: Any athlete starts performing with certain expectations in his/her mind regarding the ways in which he/she wants to perform, give his/her best in the game, display the best skills etc. There is always a pressure in the mind of any athlete regardless of the situation he/she is in, and harsh weather can adversely influence the mental readiness.

Weather is a strategic element that decides the course of athletic performance. Hence, anticipating the weather conditions on the day of the game, and then deciding upon the strategies that the athlete wants to take, is very important. Keeping a check on this not only improves the mental stress, but also keeps an athlete ready to deal with physical conditions like dehydration, exhaustion and even injuries caused by sudden change in weather. Nature’s unpredictable behaviour cannot be controlled, but as an athlete, it is important for one to e adaptive to every situation and not lose focus from the game itself. Holding on to mental resilience is the key to cope with adverse weather and though challenging, is one of the most important ways to come out as a champion.