Rain came to Sussex's aid at Headingley in their battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.
But the fate of Ed Joyce's men remains very much in the balance after Yorkshire progressed to 135-3 when an early lunch was taken - a lead of 138.
Sussex must avoid defeat if they are to guarantee their division one survival or hope Hampshire fail to beat Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Hampshire had reduced Notts to 50-2 at lunch - a lead of 64 - after being bowled out for 326 in the morning.
Yorkshire began the third day on 55-1 with Gary Ballance 39 and Adam Lyth 16 but Ballance departed for 45 in the fifth over, chopping Steve Magoffin into his stumps.
Andrew Gale and Adam Lyth added 58 for the third wicket before Lyth played on to a ball from Lewis Hatchett for 39.
Gale had moved on to 43 when the players came off with a heavy burst of rain looming and the square had been well covered by the groundstaff by the time it came.
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