Steelers vs. Cowboys weather updates: Start time for 'Sunday Night Football' game

Russell Wilson might not be active for tonight's Pittsburgh Steelers-Dallas Cowboys matchup, but Mother Nature certainly was.

The Week 5 "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Steelers and Cowboys was a much-anticipated matchup between two of the NFL's most storied franchises, but the typical 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff time for "SNF" matchups was delayed due to weather.

Lightning and rain in the area delayed the kickoff for the matchup, sending fans to the concourse and the players back into their respective locker rooms.

Here's the latest on the weather above Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh:

Steelers vs. Cowboys weather updates

Fans will have to wait a bit longer than usual for "Sunday Night Football" to begin. The game is in a lightning delay because of a storm nearby Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

As of 9:17 p.m., the weather around Acrisure Stadium had cleared and fans are headed back to their seats. The weather band around Pittsburgh seemed to pass over the stadium at this time.

There was a severe thunderstorm warning in effect in Pittsburgh, per Weather.com. The chance for rain peaked at 9 p.m. ET (89 percent), according to the forecast, at which point there will be "Heavy Thunderstorms" in the area.

Per USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell, fans were instructed to take cover in the concourse or the FedEx Great Hall, a trophy room and plaque location in the stadium.

NFL policy dictates that the 30-minute clock for clearance to play restarts whenever there's a lightning strike in the area.

Steelers vs. Cowboys start time

According to the NBC broadcast, players are expected to be back on the field around 9:25 p.m. ET, with a kickoff set for 9:45 p.m. ET, as it is delayed due to rain.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers vs. Cowboys weather updates: Start time for 'SNF' game