Fans couldn't ask for better weather for the Notre Dame home opener Saturday.

After a brief rain in the morning, they spent the afternoon tailgating and cheering their teams on under sunny, blue skies.

But a year ago, the weather made for a perfect storm.

The home opener of 2011 started out with unseasonably warm weather.

Lightening strikes near the stadium caused it to be evacuated twice during the game -- the first time in Notre Dame history.

So, as fans prepare for another season of football, they say they feel more prepared if severe weather were to strike.

"They've proven the processes they have in place work well and we have the potential for severe weather all the time in this area," said South Bend resident Corey Noland.

Heather Eich was also at the stadium last year when they had to evacuate.

"It made me feel comfortable that they knew when to evacuate, they didn't take any chances and it made me feel safe as a spectator that I wasn't going to be in a situation," she said.

Notre Dame has a ten mile policy, meaning the stadium is evacuated if officials see lightening strike within ten miles.