Ohio State’s Sunday commencement ceremony will award a record-breaking 12,213 degrees. Credit: Amal Saeed | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State’s Sunday commencement ceremony will award a record-breaking 12,213 degrees, as long as the weather complies.

According to an Ohio State press release, the graduating class is the largest in university history and will mark the fifth consecutive commencement to break the previous year’s record, with this year surpassing 2018’s record by 206 degrees awarded.

Spring Commencement will be held at noon Sunday in Ohio Stadium, where Fareed Zakaria, a journalist for CNN and The Washington Post, will deliver the commencement address.

According to Ohio State’s commencement website, the ceremony will proceed as planned if it rains as long as the weather is not deemed severe or unsafe.

The website said, “if it is raining or rain is forecast on commencement day, graduates and guests should come prepared with appropriate rain gear. Ponchos, raincoats, and something to cover wet bleachers are advised for guests. Umbrellas are permitted in Ohio Stadium, but their use during the ceremony is discouraged.”

A delay of the ceremony is possible, but if there is no change in forecast, the ceremony might be canceled, the website said.

If inclement weather starts during the ceremony, instructions on how to proceed will be provided, but Ohio State encourages all students to set up a meeting place with their families prior.

According to the website, because of the large number of graduates, the anticipated additional 60,000 guests and the lack of an indoor facility with enough space to accommodate, relocation of the ceremony will not be possible.

If the ceremony is canceled, graduates will be permitted to pick up their diplomas elsewhere. According to the website, “graduates only will be admitted to the diploma distribution sites, which will be noted in the commencement program.”

As of now, the National Weather Service is predicting a high of 69 degrees with mostly sunny skies and a 15 to 20 percent chance of rain for Sunday’s commencement, but that is subject to change.

Live updates during the ceremony can be found on Twitter @TheLantern.