Tag Archives: Super Bowl

Weather may be the ultimate wildcard in deciding outcome of Super Bowl XLVIII

A crew member works to remove snow from MetLife Stadium, which will host Superbowl XLVIII next month, on January 22, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
A crew member works to remove snow from MetLife Stadium, which will host Superbowl XLVIII next month, on January 22, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Getty Images)

Mother Nature and the potential she has to impact Super Bowl XLVIII is a hot topic as the game draws nearer. No matter what happens in the contest between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, it is almost certain the game will be the coldest NFL championship ever played and possibly the snowiest.

With the game still more than eight days away, weather forecasts are less than certain about what conditions will be on game day. However a look at historical statistics from the National Weather Service for the New Jersey / New York area provide some clues.

Using 1981 to 2010 climate averages, the normal high temperature for February 2 as measured at Newark is 40 degrees. The average low is a chilly 25 degrees.

The coldest kickoff temperature in Super Bowl history occurred on January 16, 1972. Played at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, the temperatures at the start of that game was a chilly 39 degrees on the field.

Given that, it is pretty certain this will be the coldest Super Bowl in history.  It could also be the first to have snow fall on the field and freezing rain and wind are other hazards the teams may have to contend with.

Read more about the potential for weather to impact the game on Examiner.com

Historical Super Bowl temperatures, conditions and weather extremes

People walk in New York’s Times Square as snow falls during the rush hour January 21, 2014. Snow on the field is a possibility for the first time in Super Bowl history.
People walk in New York’s Times Square as snow falls during the rush hour January 21, 2014. Snow on the field is a possibility for the first time in Super Bowl history. (Getty Images)

Super Bowl XLVIII will be the first NFL championship game played outdoors at a cold-weather location. Looking back at the history of previous sites for the event, much milder weather than what will likely be seen at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this year has been the rule.

Over the past 47 Super Bowl’s, the average on-field temperature at kickoff has been 66.5 degrees. The contests that have been played at northern latitudes have previously been in domed stadiums helping to keep that average up. That is a luxury the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks won’t enjoy.

It is highly likely that this year’s Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will be the coldest on record and possibly the first to have snow fall on the field.

How would that compare to weather extremes experienced during other NFL championship games?  Find out in the story on Examiner.com

A look at Super Bowl weather history and some interesting tornado statistics for it

The biggest sporting event of the year is of course the Super Bowl and no doubt this year’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals is sure to be no different.  Super Bowl XLIII will be held in Tampa Bay, Florida and the weather forecast is looking to be just about perfect – see our game day forecast below.

What about Super Bowl’s in the past?  Was there ever any notable weather during the big game?  You bet there was.  Here are some fun facts (courtesy wx-man.com):

  • 17 of 42 Super Bowls played indoors
  • 16 of 42 Super Bowls had a trace or more of rain nearby
  • 2 Super Bowls had snow on game day (1982,2006)
  • 1 Super Bowl played during an ice storm (2000)
  • Warmest high temperature of 82° (1973,2003)
  • Coldest high temp for dome game 16° (1982)
  • Coldest high temp for non-dome game 49° (1985)
  • Wettest Super Bowl .92 inches (2007)
  • Outside games with high wind gust (1980, 1984, 1989,2007)

You will notice there isn’t really any mention of severe weather in those statistics. The NFL has been pretty fortunate on that front with nothing particularly notable – rain always seems to be the biggest threat. 

For a more in depth look at severe weather in February in Florida, the Super Bowl forecast and some interesting tornado statistics, please visit our Examiner.com story.

For all the details, read the rest of this story on our Denver Weather Examiner page. Examiner.com - Get inside Denver weather