Yahoo Sports Bills vs. Broncos weather updates: Snow, rain in forecast for wild card game
The Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are getting ready to square off in an wild card matchup that will determine the divisional round matchups on the AFC side of the NFL's playoff bracket.
As usual, many will be asking how exactly the weather in Buffalo – or rather, nearby Orchard Park, where the Bills actually play – looks for the contest.
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The weather in Orchard Park is expected to be cold on Sunday. It won't be as brutal as some of the conditions in which the Bills have played over the years, but temperatures still figure to be at or below freezing for the contest.
The bigger question is about whether snow will fall during the game. There is a chance for precipitation during the contest, but it doesn't seem like NFL fans will be getting a traditional "snow game" to finish the wild card round of the AFC playoffs.
Here's what to know about the weather for Sunday's Bills vs. Broncos NFL playoff game.
Bills vs. Broncos weather updates
There is potential for inclement weather in the wild card round matchup between the Bills and Broncos on Sunday. However, there isn't a guarantee to be rain or snow during the contest, per Weather.com.
Temperatures during Sunday's game – which will begin at 1 p.m. ET – are expected to hover around freezing. While there is a chance of precipitation during the contest, there is a much stronger possibility of snow before it (34% chance at 11 a.m. ET) or overnight after it.
Even so, the colder temperatures, modest wind (5-10 mph) and chance of precipitation could create some unpredictability for both the Bills and the Broncos. As such, the conditions at Highmark Stadium will be worth monitoring throughout Sunday.
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Buffalo weather forecast for Bills vs. Broncos playoff game
It's important to note that the Bills don't actually play in Buffalo. They play just outside of Buffalo in Orchard Park, so that will be the weather forecast to monitor before and during Sunday's game.
Either way, there is a chance of a wintry mix during Sunday's Bills vs. Broncos wild card game, according Weather.com. Below are the full details of Thursday's forecast for Green Bay:
High temperature: 33 degrees
Low temperature: 28 degrees
Chance of precipitation: 24%
Wind: 5-10 mph
The good news for both the Bills and the Broncos is that there is more likely to be precipitation later in the day on Sunday. There is a 48% chance of snow at night, according to the forecast, but the Bills vs. Broncos game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. That should allow it to wrap up before it falls, barring a last-minute change to the forecast.
Below is a look at the hourly Orchard Park forecast for the contest, per Weather.com:
11 a.m. ET: 30 degrees, Few Snow Showers (34%), 8 mph
Noon ET: 31 degrees, Cloudy (15%), 8 mph
1 p.m. ET: 31 degrees, Cloudy (11%), 9 mph
2 p.m. ET: 32 degrees, Cloudy (9%), 8 mph
3 p.m. ET: 32 degrees, Cloudy (5%), 7 mph
4 p.m. ET: 32 degrees, Cloudy (5%), 6 mph
5 p.m. ET: 31 degrees, Cloudy (5%), 6 mph
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Will it snow in Buffalo on Sunday?
There is a chance of snow in the Buffalo area on Sunday, but it appears more likely to snow on Monday. The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Watch in effect beginning Monday at 1 p.m. ET and running through Thursday at 4 a.m. ET.
There is a 24% chance of precipitation on Sunday, but it doesn't appear likely to snow during the Bills vs. Broncos game, most of which will be played between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bills vs. Broncos weather updates: Will it snow in Buffalo on Sunday?
