The festival, held in the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada, was attended by more than 70,000 people last year, and just as many were expected this year. Burning Man began on Aug. 28 and was scheduled to run through Sept. 4.
Black Rock Desert was faced with two to three months worth of rain in just a matter of hours on Friday, Sept. 1.
On average, the area gets only 0.2 inches of rain or less in September -- but festivalgoers were met with up to 1 inch in some areas, in a desert that gets only about 5 to 6 inches of rain per year.
This is typically the driest time of the year for the desert, and it does not take much rain to make the desert floor a mud bath.
The downpour was followed by cooler temperatures and cloudy skies -- extending the drying-out process.
In response to the unusual weather, event organizers shut down traffic in or out of what is called Black Rock City -- where the festival is held in the desert -- including the local airport.
Photos show festival grounds covered in muddy puddles, with some attendees braving the messy conditions.
DJ Diplo claimed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he and Chris Rock walked 5 miles in the mud before a fan picked them up.
Attendees were asked to shelter in place, conserve food and water and avoid driving or operating any vehicle on the campgrounds.
Attendees were advised not to operate any generators or other electrical instruments standing in water.
On Sunday, an afternoon drizzle compounded onto already poor conditions at the campgrounds. The main gate road was still impassable on Sunday night, and alternative exit routes have been planned for the expected exodus of attendees from festival grounds on Monday.
As some attendees prepare to leave on foot, shuttle buses are running to assist in the exit.
UPDATE: Organizers lifted a driving ban as of 2 p.m. local time Monday, allowing "exodus operations" to begin, organizers said. They are, however, recommending that people delay their departures until Tuesday to avoid getting stuck in the mud.
Approximately 64,000 people remain on site as of midday Monday, organizers said.
For more information about its pagan origins, check out this video:
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