WINNIPEG — When the city of Winnipeg was awarded the Grey Cup, the reaction from many was likely something along the lines of “but it will be SO cold”.
Well this year the weather for the game is shaping up to be fairly decent for this time of year. It’s the lead-up to the game that’s a bit more chilling.
The average daytime high for late November sits around -5 Celsius. The overnight low around -14 C.
For those die hard football fans arriving Wednesday and Thursday, prepare to bundle up. A cold front moving through the province will see temperatures drop giving us very cold weather for the first time this month.
Wednesday night’s low is forecast to dip to -18 C (and that is without the wind) while Thursday night we are warming up to a low of -17 C.
Don’t worry.
It gets better.
High pressure is keeping sunshine out through the rest of the week and temperatures are warming to above seasonal for the weekend.
Of course, Winnipeg is famous for hosting the coldest Grey Cup on record. Who remembers the 79th Grey Cup in 1991 where the temperature at kickoff was -18 C?
The Toronto Argonauts went on to victory over the Calgary Stampeders in their first season under the leadership group that included Wayne Gretzky. Seems somewhat fitting doesn’t it?
Since then, Winnipeg has produced rather balmy weather in comparison.
In 1998 we were 5 C at kickoff, and in 2006 we produced a very liveable -3 C when the game got underway.
But if you’re a travelling Grey Cup fan and make the trip no matter if your team is in it or not – it’s been an easy last 5 years with the CFL finale being held at inside venues three of the last five years. (2014, 2011 in Vancouver and 2012 in Toronto).
It’s also usually been a trend over the last couple of years where the week leading up to Grey Cup has been cold, while things have warmed nicely for the game.
Many remember Regina in 2013. Some of the events were threatened to be cancelled due to wind chill values in the -30 C range.
The same happened in Edmonton in 2010 when the Montreal Alouettes held their first practice indoors. The Saskatchewan Roughriders opted for outdoors in -25 C temperatures and well, they went on to lose the Grey Cup.
Players will play no matter the weather, and we CFL fans are a hearty bunch.
After all, who doesn’t like to watch the game in the stands with their snow suit on and a cold beverage in hand?
It’s what we do.
But hopefully, in Winnipeg this coming Sunday no ski pants will be necessary.
Comments