MLB opening day forecast: Fans to shiver in Midwest, Northeast as polar vortex moves south

By Brian Lada, Meteorologist

March 31,2016; 9:27PM,EDT

 

Chilly air and the chance of rain will threaten several baseball games during MLB's opening day of the 2016 season, but many fans will see their teams play ball in dry conditions.
The first three games of the season are set for Sunday, but the traditional opening day is slated for Monday as 24 teams take to the field.
For most fans headed to the ballpark, the weather will be a second thought with calm, dry weather on tap for the season openers in New York, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Arlington, Atlanta, Cincinnati, San Diego, Tampa Bay, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
However, fans elsewhere may want to plan accordingly to cope with the unsettled weather during the game.

Sunday: Cardinals vs. Pirates
The first pitch of the 2016 MLB season will take place on a chilly and breezy afternoon in Pittsburgh as the Cardinals head to Pennsylvania to take on the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. EDT.
People in the grandstands will want to bundle up as it may be one of the coldest home openers of any team this season due to the shifting polar vortex unleashing cold in the Great Lakes region.
"High temperatures Sunday afternoon will reach the lower 40s F, which is about 15 degrees below average," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Edwards said.
Gusty winds will put an extra chill in the air, making it feel more like winter rather than spring.
"RealFeel® Temperatures will be in the 20s during pre-game tailgates and in the 30s during the game," Edwards added.
Weather conditions may impact play during the game. Gusty winds can alter the path of fly balls while the cold air impacts the way that pitchers grip baseballs.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Jordy Mercer gets set to bat against Milwaukee Brewers' Zach Davies in a rain storm in the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Not only will fans have to cope with the blustery weather, but also the possibility for some precipitation.
"There can be a passing rain or snow shower early in the day as fans are tailgating, but dry weather should prevail during the game itself," Edwards said.
Even if a rain or snow shower does manage to move over PNC Park during the game, it shouldn't be enough to cause play to be delayed, Edwards added.
Sunday: Mets vs. Royals
Possibly the most anticipated game during the first day of the season is Sunday's square-off between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals.
This World Series rematch will take place in Kansas City on Sunday evening with the first pitch scheduled for 8:37 p.m. EDT.
Fans attending this game shouldn't have to worry about bringing a light coat with them as temperatures hold in the 60s throughout the game under a clear, rain-free sky.
This is nearly perfect baseball weather for opening day in Kansas City, according to Edwards.
New York Mets' Lucas Duda is out as Kansas City Royals' Ben Zobrist throws to first base to turn a double play on a ball hit by Travis d'Arnaud during the second inning of Game 5 of the Major League Baseball World Series Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Monday: Red Sox vs. Indians
Those attending Monday's game between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox may be in for one of the most unsettled season openers around the league.
The weather in Cleveland will be far from a home run on for Monday's home opener as an Alberta Clipper system moves through the region during the game.

While the system will bring predominantly rain showers, a few wet snowflakes may mix in, especially later in the game. However, any snow is not likely to accumulate.
It is possible that there may be a rain delay if the rain comes down hard enough. Currently, the first pitch is scheduled to be thrown for 4:10 p.m. EDT.
Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor, bottom, stops an infield single by Boston Red Sox's Rusney Castillo as Jose Ramirez, behind, backs up the play during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
"Fans planning on tailgating before the game or attending the game will want to bring along the rain gear along with warm clothes," Edwards said.
According to Edwards, it will be cloudy all day and temperatures will rise into only the lower 40s. This is about 10 degrees lower than it typically is during early April.
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Monday: White Sox vs. Athletics
One of the last games on opening day will take place along the West Coast when the Chicago White Sox visit the Oakland Athletics.
"A cool evening in store for the Athletic's home opener Monday evening with temperatures falling from the lower 60s into the middle 50s by the end of the game," Edwards said.
While baseball fans in Oakland typically can expect dry weather for baseball, this year's home opener may throw fans a curveball.
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) delivers to a Kansas City Royals batter during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, April 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
"A storm system will be just off the coast of California, which will help to send clouds into the Bay area," Edwards said.
"Any widespread shower activity should remain off the coast, but we can't rule out a spotty sprinkle or light shower during the game," he added.
Even if it does rain during the game, it is not likely that the rain will be heavy enough to cause any sort of rain delay.

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Questions or comments? Email Brian Lada at Brian.Lada@accuweather.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter! Follow us @breakingweather or on Facebook.