Weather conditions over the past couple of days have seemed more reminiscent of late in the football season than late April, with low temperatures plunging into the 30s.
But highs are expected to climb back into the 70s in time for this week’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, potentially reaching the low 80s on Friday. While draftgoers could deal with some damp conditions, it’s highly unlikely they will encounter severe weather, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Colton Milcarek.
“There is a less than 5% chance of any severe weather within 25 miles of Downtown during the draft,” Milcarek said.
While temperatures are expected to dip to around 30 degrees overnight Monday, the high will approach 70 degrees on Tuesday and then rise from there.
On Thursday, the opening day of the draft, the forecast calls for mostly sunny conditions during the day and partly cloudy skies at night with a high temperature of 78 and a low of 55. There is a less than 10% chance of showers. The first round is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m.
On Friday, temperatures are expected to climb into the low 80s with mostly sunny skies during the day. During the second and third rounds of the draft that night, there is a 40% chance of rain and a 25% chance of thunder.
“The primary risk, especially as far as public safety is concerned, is mostly going to be lightning. It’s something we’ll definitely keep an eye on as we get closer, but the probabilities remain quite low for any severe weather,” Milcarek said.
Public safety officials have said several shelter areas have been identified inside and outside of the draft footprint where people will be directed if needed. Officials have not publicly released the locations of the shelters.
Saturday could bring a mix of showers and cloudy skies, with a 60% chance of rain during the day and temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the low 70s.
Fans will not be allowed to bring umbrellas into the draft, according to the NFL’s list of prohibited items.