Patriots vs. Chiefs weather forecast: Kansas City will be cold (but not that cold) for AFC championship game

Shanna McCarriston

Patriots vs. Chiefs weather forecast: Kansas City will be cold (but not that cold) for AFC championship game image

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. 

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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.

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.

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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.

 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. 

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. 

Shanna McCarriston