/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/HLJPVJI4DFDS7PCQPBAK2NZV74.JPG "A security guard makes rounds outside of Raymond James Stadium as preparations continue for Super Bowl 55, which will be played Feb. 7. Early meteorological data shows it could rain during the big game, but meteorologists say it's too early to issue an official forecast.")
TAMPA — Bad weather has historically spared the Super Bowl. It has never snowed while the big game was played outdoors and it only rained once, during Super Bowl 41 in Miami in 2007.
But rain might be in the cards for Super Bowl 55. The 10-day forecast on Thursday calls for a 40 percent chance of rain when the Bucs face the Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 7.
But that’s not a prediction that forecasters are running with. Early meteorological data might indicate rain, but 10 days away is too far out for meteorologists to issue an official forecast.
“The confidence is low because it’s too far away,” said Spectrum Bay News 9 meteorologist Diane Kacmarik.
Bay News 9 has not yet issued a forecast for Super Bowl Sunday. The meteorologists there will soon issue their regular 7-day forecast, which will reflect greater confidence in the data as Feb. 7 draws nearer.
“You can have more confidence in that window, and we have that discussion about what to put on the air,” she said. “You can find a 10-day forecast but we do not want to put our name on it if we don’t have confidence.”
What meteorologists do know is that a cold front might roll into Tampa Bay during Super Bowl weekend that could bring rain and cool temperatures. So showers will likely affect the weekend’s events. But it’s too soon to say that it will rain during the game itself.
The 10-day forecast data shows Super Bowl Sunday highs in the mid 70s and lows in the mid 50s. But the further out a weather forecast is, the more time other factors have to exponentially change that forecast.
“The atmosphere around the earth is moving in waves, just like the oceans,” Kacmarik said. “If you’re off by one day just a tiny bit, then the following day you’re off by twice that.”
In the past 20 Super Bowls, 12 have been played indoors. No Super Bowl has been delayed or postponed because of inclement weather, according to the Sporting News. Still, Raymond James is an outdoor stadium, so weather could become a factor during the game.
The weather was definitely a factor during Super Bowl 41 — at halftime. Prince performed one of the most iconic halftime shows in Super Bowl history in the pouring Miami rain.
• • •
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