NFL Draft Weather: Rain Expected in Pittsburgh

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to take place in Pittsburgh, and while the forecast does not predict a major storm, rain could pose a nuisance for attendees during the event. Scheduled from Thursday through Saturday, this annual occasion allows NFL teams to select players who have completed their college careers, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city and Acrisure Field.

Weather Forecast

• Thursday Night (Round 1): Expect partly cloudy skies with pleasant temperatures dropping from the low 70s to the upper 60s, accompanied by light winds.
• Friday Night (Rounds 2-3): Showers are likely to occur, with temperatures remaining in the 70s or upper 60s and light winds continuing.
• Saturday Afternoon (Rounds 4-7): Rain showers are expected, with temperatures holding steady in the 60s.

Impact of Weather on the Draft

The NFL Draft will proceed regardless of rain. The draft theater, where players will walk on stage, features a large overhang to keep fans dry. However, many fans attending the surrounding festivities, known as the NFL Draft Experience, will not have cover from the rain. The NFL has a contingency plan for severe weather, stating that only extreme conditions threatening public safety could lead to a postponement of the event. Any such announcement would be communicated to fans via the NFL OnePass app and the on-site public address system.

Historical Weather Patterns

Since relocating the draft to various cities across the country in 2015, the weather has generally cooperated, with only a few exceptions. Last year, a thunderstorm briefly delayed pre-draft events in Green Bay, while light rain fell on Day 2 of the draft. In 2021, Cleveland experienced over an inch and a half of rain on the first day, and in 2019, Nashville saw showers during the first round. In 2016, light rain and chilly temperatures affected outdoor festivities in Chicago.

Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist at weather.com, has been covering weather events since 1996 and enjoys discussing extreme and unusual weather phenomena. For updates, you can follow him on social media platforms.