The Ravens and Cowboys are expected to begin Sunday’s game at Maracanã Stadium in warm, humid conditions, with the greater chance of rain arriving after the game.
AccuWeather forecasts a high of 82 degrees in Rio de Janeiro. Its daytime forecast calls for intervals of sunshine, a south-southeast wind around 8 mph, and a 7% chance of precipitation. The heat could feel stronger earlier in the day; AccuWeather lists a daytime RealFeel high of 93 degrees. Conditions are expected to cool into the 70s around the late-afternoon local kickoff. The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies during the evening, with occasional rain and a thunderstorm possible later at night.
Humidity could test both teams over long drives, particularly defenders asked to chase
Lamar Jackson or tackle Derrick Henry in space. Hydration and substitutions may matter more than wind, which is not forecast to be strong enough to make passing or kicking an obvious concern for either team. The rain forecast also deserves careful timing. AccuWeather’s higher precipitation chance applies to Sunday night as a whole; it does not mean rain is expected at kickoff. If a shower arrives during play, ball security and footing would become more important.
Any rain or precipitation could be critical because the field has already been scrutinized. NFL field director Nick Pappas said Maracanã passed its mandatory tests Friday. How the surface holds up under game-speed cuts remains a separate question from Sunday’s weather forecast.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens-Cowboys weather forecast: Humid start, rain possible late
