The Steelbacks opening fixture of the 2020 Vitality Blast was abandoned without a ball bowled, less than half an hour after the scheduled start time.
Persistent heavy rain in Bristol saw standing water on the outfield and with a yellow warning of rain in effect throughout the afternoon the chances of play were low from the outset.
Northamptonshire now face a weekend double header, first traveling to Worcestershire before welcoming Somerset to The County Ground on Sunday.