Photo from Game 4 of the 1997 World Series in Cleveland, Ohio; courtesy espn.go.com
Overview
In a dramatic rain-filled game on Sunday in Philadelphia, the Phillies clinched the National League championship and will play the Houston Astros in the World Series beginning this Friday night, October 28th. The weather in Philly on Sunday appeared to have an impact on the game with, for example, numerous wild pitches during a crucial part of the game while the rain was falling quite hard. The first two games of the World Series are set for Houston’s Minute maid Park and the weather is very likely to not have any impact since the stadium has a retractable roof which presumably would be closed if inclement conditions developed. In recent history, the weather has indeed had a big impact on at least a handful of World Series games with conditions ranging from biting cold-to-extreme heat and from rain-to-snow as well.
Notable examples of World Series games in recent history in which weather played an important role
- 2017 Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The hottest World Series game of recent history took place in Los Angeles, California on October 24th in 2017. In that World Series, Game 1 between the Houston Astros and LA Dodgers featured a game-time temperature of 103 degrees. That first game was won by the Dodgers by the score of 3-1 with all runs knocked in by the three home runs that were hit by both teams. Houston went on to win the 2017 World Series in seven games, but no other game was as hot as Game 1 which featured triple-digit heat. In fact, by the time the Series returned to Los Angeles for games 6 and 7, game time temperatures were in the much more comfortable upper 60’s.
- 2008 Philadelphia Phillies vs Tampa Bay Rays
Perhaps the most memorable World Series game in recent history with respect to overall weather conditions was Game 5 of the 2008 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays. That game began on Monday, October 27th in 2008 with a starting time temperature of 47 degrees and rain was falling. The rain intensified as the game progressed and was ultimately suspended in the 6th inning – the only World Series game ever to be suspended. The game could not be resumed on the next day as a powerful early season nor’easter continued to pound away on the Philadelphia metro region with a cold, steady rain and even several inches of snow fell in nearby Bucks County. Finally, two days after the game began, Game 5 resumed on a cold Wednesday night in Philly with first-pitch temperatures at 44 degrees along with a gusty northwest wind on the back side of a departing coastal storm and the Phillies went on to clinch their second World Series title ever.
Weather maps are shown here from the night of October 28th in 2008 which was the day after the rained-shortened World Series game in Philly and the day before it resumed. On this “in-between” day, very cold air surged into the Philly metro region on the backside of a strong coastal storm and several inches of early season snow accumulated in some suburban locations. Maps courtesy Penn State eWall (surface – upper right, 500 mb – upper left, 700 mb – lower left, 850 mb – lower right).
- 1997 Cleveland Indians vs Florida Marlins
In perhaps the coldest World Series games ever – and the records are sketchy pre-1970’s as Major League Baseball did not track weather records – one of the most memorable contests was Game 4 of the 1997 World Series in Cleveland, Ohio between the Indians (now Guardians) and the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. The first two games of that World Series were played in Miami, Florida where temperatures were in the high 80’s. The games then shifted to Cleveland for Games 3, 4 and 5 and the weather was dramatically different than in Florida. Indeed, the first-pitch temperature for Game 4 on October 22nd, 1997 which was won by Cleveland was 35 degrees and a wind chill in the teens. In fact, snow flurries were falling at the onset of Game 4 and continued throughout the contest and ice patches formed in some areas on the infield. The Florida Marlins eventually won the 1997 World Series with an extra-inning Game 7 victory played in balmy Miami, Florida (game time temperature of 80 degrees).
- 1979 Baltimore Orioles vs Pittsburgh Pirates
The second coldest game in recent history was the first game of the 1979 World Series in Baltimore, Maryland between the Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. This game took place on October 10th, 1979 with first-pitch temperatures right around the 40 degree mark along with a steady, chilly rainfall which no doubt factored into the six total errors, three committed by each team. In fact, Game 1 which was won by Baltimore was originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 9th, but was postponed due to a wintry mix of rain and snow. Back in those days, the World Series began earlier in the month of October compared to today, but that didn’t prevent very cold weather from impacting the beginning of this Fall Classic. The Pirates ended up winning the 1979 World Series in 7 games by winning three games in a row after trailing in the series three games to one.
Weather maps are shown here from the evening of October 10th, 1979 which was the day the World Series began in Baltimore, Maryland between the Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Low pressure along the Mid-Atlantic coastline not only generated some rainfall for Game 1, but it funneled in very chilly air from the north as well and the combination of the cold and wet conditions played a role in the overall sloppy performance. Maps courtesy Penn State eWall (surface – upper right, 500 mb – upper left, 700 mb – lower left, 850 mb – lower right).
A look ahead to the weather for the 2022 World Series
The 2022 World Series is set to begin on Friday night, October 28th, in Houston and showers and thunderstorms will be a threat as a cool front should be approaching the area. If inclement weather is indeed in the weather forecast, the retractable roof is likely to be closed in Minute Maid Park for the first game. Game 2 will be played on Saturday night in Houston likely with cooler and drier conditions following the passage of the cool front. The World Series will then shift to Philadelphia for Games 3, 4 and 5 on Monday, October 31st, Tuesday, November 1st and on Wednesday, November 2nd (if needed). From this vantage point, the weather could be on the mild side in Philly for Game 3 on Monday; however, showers could be a threat from a low pressure system that may be pushing to the northeast from the southern states. Given the extra playoff round this year, the World Series could extend to as late as Saturday, November 5th if all 7 games are required.
Meteorologist Paul Dorian