The 2026 NFL Draft is likely to start with sunshine and end in rain, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
Chris Leonardi, a meteorologist with the office in Moon, said there’s a 60% to 80% chance of rain Saturday, the final day of the three-day event.
Mother Nature will likely cooperate with the first day of the draft. Thursday is looking “pretty good,” Leonardi said, with “plenty of sunshine” and the temperatures reaching the lower 70s.
Temperatures Friday are expected to hit 80 degrees. There’s a chance of scattered showers and a low risk of a thunderstorm, Leonardi said.
But overnight Friday and into Saturday, the weather will likely take a turn. Fans should brace for rain.
“It’s more likely than not we’ll get some,” Leonardi told TribLive. “We’re going to see at least some rain Friday night into Saturday.”
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The forecast does not anticipate severe storms, Leonardi said.
Leonardi expects the precipitation to start around 2 a.m. and last through midday Saturday. There could be some periods of heavier rain, but the meteorologist said he does not anticipate flooding, major winds or hail.
“The main issue will be any cloud to ground lightning,” he said. “That’s really the main thing we’ll be watching.”
