Kansas City has been hit with snow, rain and freezing temperatures the last few weeks, but what does mother nature have in mind for the AFC championship game? Early reports indicated it could be below 10 degrees but that has changed as the big game gets closer.
Neither the Patriots or the Chiefs are strangers to frigid temperatures and both experienced cold games in the divisional round. SN takes a look at the weather forecast what Arrowhead Stadium is doing to prepare and what it means for the teams.
SN STAFF PICKS: Rams vs. Saints | Patriots vs. Chiefs
Kansas City weather forecast
Kansas City, Missouri is expected to be cold on Sunday, but the "arctic blast" many were expecting is no longer in the forecast. According to Weather.com, Sunday's forecast calls for a high of 28 degrees with a low of 18. When the matchup was first set the weather called for -5 degree temperatures and while it is still expected to be below freezing, 28 degrees is "warm" compared to the first report.
Below is the original weather report for Sunday from meteorologist Ryan Maue.
AFC Championship game is in Kansas City --> Sunday evening. #ChiefsKingdom(-3.0) #Patriots
— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) January 14, 2019
6-day weather forecasts are BRUTALLY cold -- and I mean very COLD. Game time temperatures from models range from -5°F to 10°F
Arctic blast is centered right over Arrowhead Stadium pic.twitter.com/if7MnZ3YDw
The local kickoff time is 5:40 p.m. and with the sun setting at 5:24 p.m. in KC, fans will not get any added warmth from the sun.
Weather is unpredictable, so this could change at any moment but for now fans going to the game can feel better knowing the "arctic blast" is no longer expected.
MORE: Why Patriots, Saints have advantage in pressure-filled game
Tom Brady in cold weather
Before the Patriots-Chargers game Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a press conference, "We're playing the Chargers, we're not playing the weather" when asked if the cold conditions would give the Patriots an advantage in the divisional game. Even though Belichick chooses to ignore the weather and focus on the opponent, the Patriots' numbers in cold games tell a story.
In weather below 30 degrees, counting for regular season and playoff games, the Patriots are an impressive 28-6. On the road in these types of games Brady is 8-3, throwing for 21 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Patriots are underdogs against the No.1 seed Chiefs, but the cold weather reports no doubt put a smile on the faces of Patriots fans, knowing how good their quarterback is in the cold.
IYER: To beat Chiefs, Patriots need one more big game from Gronk
Arrowhead Stadium prepares for the snow
Even though Sunday is not expected to be the frozen nightmare many predicted, the weather ahead of the game is still affecting the stadium. Arrowhead Stadium workers had to re-sod the field after the snow and ice altered the field.
Tip of the cap to the grounds crew here at Arrowhead Stadium - They’ve done a great job of re-sodding and getting the field ready for the #AFCChampionship - Still work to do as we have a rain/ice/snow storm coming Friday night and Saturday! #NEvsKC @WBZ pic.twitter.com/M6bcQgxPzF
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) January 18, 2019
In preparation for snow, rain and ice in the forecast a tarp was put on the field. Arrowhead is also heated which helps with snow and ice clean up.
Last field update - Friday afternoon the tarp is on to protect from the rain/ice/snow we’re getting here in KC Fri/Sat. There’s a heating system underneath. #NEvsKC #AFCChampionship #WBZ @WBZ pic.twitter.com/MC890VmvdU
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) January 18, 2019
Ticket prices fall after weather report
According to TicketIQ.com, the average ticket on the secondary market has declined this week. The tickets dropped from $497 on Tuesday to $358 on Thursday. While the ties to the weather could be a coincidence, it would not be surprising that people would rather not stand out in below-0 temperatures, as first reported.