7:15 AM | *The weather has had a big impact on some World Series games in recent history, but this year both teams have retractable roof stadiums* — Arcfield Weather

Overview
The World Series begins tonight in Arlington, Texas between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks and there is the threat of showers and thunderstorms. Indeed, the weather has had a big impact on some World Series games in recent history from biting cold and snow to rain and extreme heat. However, this year, both participants have retractable roof stadiums so the weather should not be an issue. The World Series can end this year as late as November 4th if all 7 games are required and – with the recently added extra playoff round – a November finish to the baseball season is going to be more common and the weather can certainly be impactful.

Notable examples of World Series games in recent history in which weather played an important role

1)     2017 Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers

The hottest World Series game of recent history took place in Los Angeles, California on October 24th in 2017. In that World Series, Game 1 between the Houston Astros and LA Dodgers featured a game-time temperature of 103 degrees. That first game was won by the Dodgers by the score of 3-1 with all runs knocked in by the three home runs that were hit by both teams.  Houston went on to win the 2017 World Series in seven games, but no other game was as hot as Game 1 which featured triple-digit heat. In fact, by the time the Series returned to Los Angeles for games 6 and 7, game time temperatures were in the much more comfortable upper 60’s.

2)     2008 Philadelphia Phillies vs Tampa Bay Rays

Perhaps the most memorable World Series game in recent history with respect to overall weather conditions was Game 5 of the 2008 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays. That game began on October 27th in 2008 with a starting time temperature of 47 degrees and rain was falling. The rain intensified as the game progressed and was ultimately suspended in the 6th inning – the only World Series game ever to be suspended. The game could not be resumed on the next day as a powerful early season nor’easter continued to pound away on the Philadelphia metro region with a cold, steady rain and even several inches of snow fell in nearby Bucks County. Finally, two days after the game began, Game 5 resumed on a cold night in Philly with first-pitch temperatures at 44 degrees along with a gusty northwest wind on the back side of a departing coastal storm and the Phillies went on to clinch their second World Series title ever.