England match fears as storms smash Miami meaning pubs could close during match | UK | News

England football fans flocking to pubs to watch the crunch World Cup quarter-final match against Norway could be chased out of local tipples as storms threaten to create chaos. Pubs across the country will welcome Three Lions fans later today but many will need to continue to follow strict closing rules into the early hours of Sunday morning.

The crucial match came after Miami was hit by a tropical storm late Friday and local hotels experienced power outages. Images taken from the scene in Florida show a tree branch falling on a car as the area was damaged by heavy rain and lightning striking the sky.

The clash against Erling Haaland’s Norway is due to kick off at 10pm UK time, but a US meteorologist has warned further lightning could derail it even after the storms have passed.

He told Sun Sport: “There is a sea breeze type of setup in Florida at the moment with showers and squalls coming in from the Atlantic in the afternoons.

“And in Miami this time of year we often have afternoon thunderstorms.

“Sea breezes are coming in, causing showers and thunderstorms, these storms continue to move westward, dropping occasional heavy rain and possibly gusty winds.

“There will be showers in the morning hours and a few thunderstorms in the Miami area during the afternoon and early afternoon. These storms could cause a lot of lightning and brief periods of heavy showers in Florida.”

“By the afternoon, these storms will move west closer and closer into the peninsula.

“This is the period from mid-day to early afternoon and will likely see thunderstorms and lightning nearby during the game.”

The Ministry of Internal Affairs had previously given permission for bars to remain open until 1 a.m. in general, and until 2 a.m. for late starts between 21:00 and 22:00.