The Buccaneers will get their first taste of a hot August night at Raymond James Stadium when they host the Kansas City Chiefs in Preseason Week 2. With kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, heat looks like a much bigger factor than rain once the game gets underway.
According to AccuWeather, temperatures will hover around 87 degrees near kickoff, but it is expected to feel closer to 94 degrees. The heat index is projected at 96 degrees around 7 p.m., with southwest winds around 8 mph.
There is a higher possibility of rain earlier in the afternoon, with AccuWeather listing a 47% chance at 4 p.m. That number falls to 19% by 5 and 6 p.m., then drops to 14% around 7 p.m. Based on the current forecast, anyone tailgating or arriving early has a better chance of dealing with rain than the players will during the game.
Conditions should become a little more comfortable as the night continues. AccuWeather projects the temperature to fall to 86 degrees at 8 p.m. and 83 by 9 p.m., although the RealFeel remains at 93 and 90 degrees, respectively. Rain chances drop to just 5% during that stretch.
The weather shouldn’t create major problems for either offense, but the heat and humidity could become another part of the evaluation process. With plenty of players fighting for roster spots and extended snaps available to backups, conditioning could become noticeable as the game moves into the second half.
Forecast around kickoff
Temperature: 87 degreesRealFeel: 94 degreesHeat index: 96 degreesConditions: Intermittent cloudsChance of rain: 14%Wind: SW at 8 mph
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs vs. Chiefs Weather Report for Preseason Week 2
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
