Rain forecast for Saturday cancels Predators watch party

The forecast for rain that could be heavy at times on Saturday has canceled the outdoor viewing party scheduled for the Predators' afternoon first round playoff hockey game.

“After consulting numerous weather models, as well as the Metro Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, we believe it is in the best of interest of public safety to cancel Saturday’s outdoor viewing party," Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp:, said in a statement.

Portions of the Nashville area could get up to 2-3 inches of rain over the weekend, which is projected to begin sometime early Saturday morning and continue into part of Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

“We’re confident it’s going to rain and probably for the majority of the day,” National Weather Service meteorologist Brittney Whitehead said.

Strong thunderstorms with damaging winds are the primary threats, especially during the afternoon hours, meteorologist Josh Barnwell said.

Several days of dry weather will help the ground absorb rainfall being forecast, but flooding is possible in certain areas normally vulnerable especially near creeks and rivers, according to Barnwell.

The chance of rain is 90 percent on Saturday with wind gusts as high as 25 miles per hour and a high temperature of around 73 degrees. The chance of rain increases to 100 percent Saturday night.

There is a 50 percent chance of rain Sunday with a high expected around 57.

Saturday's Predators-Colorado Avalanche game is scheduled at 2 p.m.

The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced plans for the free outdoor watch parties for postseason home games at Music City Walk of Fame Park, located across Fifth Avenue South from Bridgestone Arena.

Saturday’s watch was scheduled to start at 11:45 a.m.

More: Predators' postseason watch parties scheduled for Walk of Fame Park

More: Predators vs. Avalanche: 3 things to watch in Game 1 of NHL first-round playoff series

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.