There is an active El Niño strengthening in the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles away from the contiguous United States that's currently shifting the temperature, rainfall, and jet stream patterns over the 2026 Drum Corps International summer tour.
One of those patterns is the heat dome currently dominating much of the central United States this summer.
So what does that mean for fans, participants, and the people that run DCI events all summer long?
Well, we spoke with the experts from Drum Corps International's team: Dr. Kevin Kloesel and Spencer Adkins from DCI's weather desk and DCI Events Director Eric Hjellming.
They've shared the Do's and Don'ts when it comes to tracking weather and staying informed up until the last performer steps off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Along the way, they also offered fans some perspective into how the corps stay on top of shifting circumstances. Read the full interview below.
How the "El Niño" Impacts The DCI Summer Tour: A Q&A With The Experts
DCI Weather Team - Dr. Kevin Kloesel and Spencer Adkins
What is an "El Niño"?
"El Nino is mainly about warmer than normal water temperatures in the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean near the equator and off the coast of South America. However ocean currents and wind patterns change which sparks different weather patterns across the globe in conjunction with a lot of other weather patterns.
What's interesting is that the results in summer are often highly nuanced in terms of 'what usually happens.'
Each one is a little different but this one appears to be strong. In that setup we tend to see more of the big heat dome in the mid section of the nation that can nudge just a little west of being centered on Texas and we tend to have storms that form along the edges of the high.
Sometimes in this setup, the Midwest sees more storms like we've already seen this year.
"As for southern states and the west coast, it looks hot."
Traditionally we see fewer hurricanes too in the Atlantic which is good but those don't usually ramp up until after the season concludes."
How do these weather events typically impact the DCI Summer Tour?
"Weather events that usually impact the DCI Tour can have overall influence from El Nino but the way we use that info has more to do with a broad idea of favored areas where it could be wet or favored areas where it will be hotter than normal. Most often we deal with what we call 'meso-scale events.'
That means 'middle sized' types of storms that can be as big as several counties or a state and also the individual local-scale type of storms which are more like the pop up cells that can produce lightning over a county or town. We're looking at weather models nonstop for the entire season.
Ask Dr. Kevin Kloesel about the influence of 'corn sweat' on weather at the previous Open Class Finals in Marion! Weather can be hyper local and usually is!"
What are some things fans can do to be proactive if they're planning to go to a show?
"Fans can and should monitor weather forecasts a couple of days out.
"The biggest thing they can do is be on the lookout for heat advisories."
Even just sitting in the stands can be tough in summer so hydrate well before a show, don't overdo it in the heat before a show either and be sure to get good cooling after a hot show just like the performers.
We put a lot into making sure they're going to be well in the heat and we want the fans to as well. Also, if it ever does storm at a venue, just be sure to heed the safety alerts.
DCI is very proactive in protecting everyone on site and will do everything humanly possible to put on a show but the weather desk will always keep eyes squarely on lightning risks nonstop."
How do you work directly with the corps to ensure they are informed?
"The weather team works with corps on multiple levels. To ensure everyone has the same info in-season, DCI utilizes a messaging app to ensure everyone at a site receives the same information at the same time. Forecasts are posted a few days ahead and anyone can ask more detailed questions.
Corps staffs and Athletic Trainers handle their own activities individually during the day before a show as they are scattered around so many different sites. Again, they can always reach out for a weather check at any time but they have been equipped with proper gear to get heat and lightning alerts that they can utilize in real time.
"We provide a flow of information about each show site and just before the show we speak directly to the DCI leadership with the weather intel so they can administer safety protocols as needed and provide a singular voice navigating on site weather issues."
I will say DCI works harder than any entity I know to keep everyone safe from performers to fans to their own staff."
DCI Events Director - Eric Hjellming
How does DCI prepare in advance to ensure the safest experience for performers and fans regarding heat, weather, etc?
"Our heat preparations began all the way back in November when the 2026 DCI Tour schedule was announced – the DCI event team considers length of show, sound ordinances, sunset time, and observed heat patterns over the past several seasons to educate the best start & end times for each event.
"The next step in our safety preparations is the Event Safety Plan in place at every event on the DCI Tour."
In a nutshell, this plan marries the host facility’s emergency plan with our specific event - also addressing the additional unique aspects of a drum corps event that may not exist in a venue’s safety plan for a scholastic football game.
This plan outlines weather condition triggers and DCI’s response – i.e. where everyone across an event site goes for the closest shelter in place if lightning strikes within 8 miles of the venue. The primary weather conditions that we track are lightning, rain, wind and heat – for example, increasing or steady wind gusts can become an issue for tall props, marketplace vendors, corps staging in the parking lot.
Our Event Safety Plans also outline other key event actions that are not weather related – everything from defining our procedure for reunifying lost children with their families to on-site considerations for temporary structures, lighting and waste management.
As we approach an event day, we start with active forecast monitoring several days prior to show day. Every DCI Tour event has a member of our meteorology team providing live forecast updates starting 24 hours before the show, advising DCI Leadership and the corps of upcoming weather on event day.
If we are relatively certain about an event day heat concern, we work with the show host, venue contacts, and the DCI event team leadership on site to ascertain any event modifications available to us (delaying the show start, providing more water access to corps and fans, and several further heat mitigation steps outlined in the Event Safety Plan) in advance of the show.
"A great example was this week’s Omaha event – facing temperature’s 10-15 degrees above average, the show host was able to push the start time an hour later to help fans and performers further avoid the heat of the day."
Finally, on event day we monitor local Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) readings in real time to determine the heat stress put on performers at the event site, the turf temperature at the venue, and any incoming storms & lightning through several physical and app-based weather tools."
What's the protocol at events for severe weather, lightning, etc?
"If we have a reasonable belief that there may be an event disruption due to weather on event day, the on site DCI event leadership and event host work to ensure that all staff and corps are reminded of the specifics to that venue’s Event Safety Plan. If the event is then disrupted by rain or lightning, the appropriate trigger is activated – for example, if lightning strikes within 8 miles of the venue, all corps & spectators would be sent to shelter in place.
We also strive to take the evacuation time into consideration when making weather calls – for example, if fans need to take shuttle buses to remote parking to shelter in their vehicles, that may push a call to move to shelter earlier before lightning arrives. Many of these considerations are identified and discussed well in advance of the event day to prepare the Contest Coordinator and on site event team with tailored guidance to each venue on tour.
If an event is sent to shelter in place, DCI event leadership and the participating directors then meet to determine if and how we can return safely to performances – with options ranging from a full adjudicated competition after a rain delay to standstill exhibition performances.
A long list of operational considerations are taken into consideration in these discussions – DOT regulations for the corps drive to their housing site, field conditions after weather, and many more factors – that may sometimes make it infeasible to return to the field for a performance. Our first priority is the safety of our performers and fans, but we always strive to deliver a modified show for fans who show up the one night we can visit their city!"
How To Watch DCI 2026 Live Streams
All live streaming for the 2026 DCI season can be found exclusively on FloMarching and the FloSports app.
Missed a show? No problem. Every streamed DCI event during the 2026 season will have a Rebroadcast airing the following day.
2026 DCI Live Streaming Schedule: Here's When To Watch DCI On FloMarching
Fans should look forward to watching multiple DCI shows each week, from the start of the 2026 DCI season on June 26th, all the way through DCI Finals on August 6-8. Watch all the action live from the comfort of your home, or watch on the go using the FloSports app.
And keep checking back as we work with DCI to bring more streamed shows to all of our fans this season!
2026 DCI Streaming Schedule
July 22 | DCI Southern Mississippi
July 24 | DCI Middle Tennessee
July 25 | DCI Southeastern Championship
July 25 | Midwestern Championship
July 31 - August 1 | DCI Eastern Classic
August 3 | Innovations In Brass
August 3 - 4 | DCI Open Class World Championships
August 6 - 8 | DCI World Championships
August 7 - 8 | DCI All-Age World Championships
August 8 | SoundSport International Music & Food Festival
* indicates FloMarching exclusive show separate from the 2026 DCI Summer Tour
Watch DCI Replays On Demand With Sound
Select replays from past DCI seasons are available with sound on-demand. Keep an eye out for more information on the 2026 DCI season and how you can watch more of your favorite shows with sound.
Encore: On The Shoulders of Giants
Watch the full 22 minute documentary following the 85th anniversary Boston Crusaders 2025 corps.
FloMarching Radio Streaming 24/7 This Summer
FloMarching Radio returned this June, bringing the sounds of DCI straight to your ears 24/7, all summer long! Stream it for free LIVE NOW on the FloMarching YouTube channel or on the FloSports app.
How To Watch DCI World Championships 2026
FloMarching is the exclusive streaming partner for the DCI Summer Tour. Fans can watch the action from home here on FloMarching and the FloSports app with a subscription.
When Are DCI World Championships 2026?
The DCI World Championships begin on Thursday, August 6 with Prelims before moving onto Semifinals on Friday, August 7, and Finals on Saturday, August 8.
Where Are DCI World Championships 2026?
The DCI World Championships are hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, home to the Colts.
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