High Winds, Lake-Effect Snow Predicted for Steelers-Browns Battle
Rain, high winds and lake effect snow are predicted for the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday Night Football showdown with the Cleveland Browns.
The weather looks like it could be a big factor in Thursday’s prime time game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Rain, high winds and some snow flurries are all forecast for the Cleveland lakeshore on Thursday leading up to kickoff between the AFC North rivals at 8:15 p.m.
A cold front is moving through the region on Wednesday, bringing a massive temperature drop, high winds and mixed precipitation.
For Pittsburgh fans traveling to the game from the Pittsburgh area, snow flurries are expected throughout the day on Thursday, though snow accumulation is not anticipated, with air temperatures hovering just above freezing.
Heavier snows are expected to begin just before the Steelers and Browns take the field, with lake effect snowfall potentially accumulating during the game itself. Wind gusts of over 20 mph coming off Lake Erie should cause blowing snow and could make for slushy or icy conditions on roadways, which could make for slow travel leaving the game.
The Steelers have already had one game impacted by weather this season. Their Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 6 was delayed almost two hours due to lightening when a strong thunderstorm rolled through Pittsburgh. The Steelers ended up losing, 20-17, to the Cowboys in that game.
Other than that, they’ve played in mostly pristine weather in Pittsburgh and on the road, including three road games that were played in domes.
Last season, the Steelers closed by playing three straight weather games. They played in the rain against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 31, then through driving rain and sleet against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6, before their playoff game with the Buffalo Bills was postponed one day due to massive lake effect snowfall in the Buffalo area.
Stay with Steelers Now and our news partners WPXI for the latest on the winter storm coming through the region.