UPDATED: Game Day Weather Forecast 6/18, Yankees vs. Nationals - Rain Delay Possible

UPDATE: (5:45 PM): New first pitch time set for approximately 6:30. So much for that day game!

UPDATE: (5:35 PM): First an update on the weather, why more rain keeps coming, and what the Yankees should do, via Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com

These are just minor mid level disturbances south of the main low pressure system, but honestly these showers should not inhibit the Yankees from starting the game. Somerset and Morris Counties are completely dry with little if any development behind them. I should note that the Phillies started under the same conditions, so I'm not sure what's holding them up. At any rate, if the Yankees are waiting for completely dry conditions, they might as well start at 7 PM cause the atmosphere is going to continue to produce these weak scattered showers.

And here is an update from someone AT the game, (AHSchwartz) as of 15 minutes ago:

Cheers as the grounds crew makes an appearance and starts working on the warning track.

UPDATE: (4:15 PM): OK, we lied, Steve has some more:

The rain is basically over for the Bronx. Just a few scattered showers over NE NJ to contend with, but the steady, heavy rain is done. The issue, which I really can't speak on is the condition of the playing field. Very heavy rain can cause a lot of ponding and that may take some time to fix for the grounds grew. As far as what's falling from the sky, the heaviest is done and off to the east.

UPDATE (3:30 PM): One final update:

Rain is coming to an end, but looks like the Yankees field team has a lot of work to do. The 4 PM start time will be free of heavy rainfall.

UPDATE (1:00 PM): Here is the latest from Steve:

The back end of the steady rainfall is over Newark, NJ and moving East-northeast. The steady rain will end abruptly in the next hour to hour and a half. After that the Yankees will be dodging light to moderate showers but should play. So expect a delay maybe until 2:30-3 PM.

We know, we know, enough with the weather updates! So, last night's forecast was Steve's first real clunker of the season, but we'll forgive him and let him jump right back on the horse today. The Yankees unfortunately have a day game, and as anyone who had to commute this morning knows, the weather is pretty terrible out there. Here is the exclusive Yankees game day forecast courtesy of Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com

Well, the heavy rain held off long enough for last night as dry air held out longer than expected. Obviously, that has all come to an end as waves of heavy rain are moving through the Bronx this morning.

There is some good news though. The wave of steady rain currently (8:25 AM) is coming to an end with the back end of the steady precipitation entering eastern Pennsylvania. The steady rain should come to an end around 12 PM to 1 PM, however scattered showers and isolated strong thunderstorms will remain a threat through the afternoon hours.

Regardless, field conditions will be a mess and a delay just to get the field in working order may be needed. Given the fact that The Nationals do not return to Yankee Stadium this year, I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees and MLB try to wait this out for as long as possible with slightly drier conditions (compared to now) by later this afternoon.

Winds will be from the southeast around 10 to 20 mph, which will blow right to left over Yankee Stadium. Temperatures will range from the mid 60's to lower 70's through the game, but will feel more like the upper 50's to lower 60's due to the wet conditions and wind speed.

As Steve Said, the Yankees and MLB will likely wait this one out, and try to play the game during a dry window. Lets just hope the Yankees can salvage a series win after the most disappointing loss in new Yankee Stadium history.

Read the full post, after the jump

Game Day Weather: Rain Expected To Impact Wednesday's Yankees vs. Nationals Game

Well, we haven't been checking in much this week (the real world has unfortunately beckoned), and here we are with some bad news. It looks like the rain that was expected to hold off until overnight is RAPIDLY approaching the area, and will affect tonight's game. Here is Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com with the latest:

The rain is moving faster than expected. Expect periods of rain to impact game conditions by at least the third inning. Winds will me from the SE around 10 to 20 mph. Temperatures will fall through the mid 60's.

Obviously, this is Washington's only trip into town, so they will likely do all they can to make sure the game is played. The problem here is that the rain is only going to get worse as the evening progresses. If the game gets postponed or suspended, look for the makeup game to be played at the end of the regular season, depending on if the outcome is meaningful to the standings.

If we receive any new updates from Steve, we will be sure to post them here. We'll be at the game in the Audi Yankees Club, while Nick will be in the Legends seats, getting soaking wet. Score one for the Audi Club!

Read the full post, after the jump

UPDATED! More Bad Weather News: Yankees vs. Red Sox May 4, 2009 Likely To Be Postponed

Update (5/4 11:45 AM): Sadly, Steve has more bad news to report.

Basically no changes in the forecast. This is the dry slot trick I alluded to this morning that would give some a bit of false hope for the game tonight. All that rain over southwestern and central Pennsylvania is going to move right towards the Bronx this afternoon and evening.

and over at his website, NYNJPAWeather.com, he provides us with some detail:

However, the upper disturbance associated with the rain this morning is moving directly towards the forecast area. The lifting ahead of the upper disturbance is spawning scattered showers within the “dry slot” this hour. However, as the day progresses into the evening hours, the steady rain over southwestern and central Pennsylvania will move over the Philadelphia and New York City metros. The heaviest rain is likely to occur between 5 PM and 9 PM as the upper low moves through. Clearing conditions can be expected after 10 PM as this upper disturbance exits.

You can read the original bad news along with our feelings about the inevitable "retractable roof" talk, if you

Well, this is now two mornings in a row that we have woken up to a sobering weather update from our friend Steve over at NYNJPAWeather.com. Apparently, heavy rain is once again forecast to affect the Yankees game:

Here is the latest update!

Don't be fooled by a brief break in the afternoon over the Bronx as rain will return quickly this evening, which will continue into tomorrow morning. The heaviest rainfall will remain south of the Bronx, but still will likely lead to another postponement if not a lengthy delay. Winds will be from the northeast around 5 to 15 mph.. Temperatures at game time will range from 51 to 54 degrees.

Drier conditions are expected for tomorrow evening's game. In fact, if it was really necessary, a double header starting in the afternoon would be possible as far as weather conditions at least. Partly cloudy to overcast skies are expected with winds from the east around 5 to 15 mph. Temperatures at official game time would range from 53 to 56 degrees.

Have a great day!

We haven't even thought about potential makeup dates yet, but since this game is against Boston, there will be plenty of opportunities.

With the cost of the new stadium anywhere between $1.2 and $1.7 billion, we can expect the "why was there no retractable roof built on the new place" critics to rear their ugly heads. The answer is that during most summers in New York City, there would not be enough rain to make the investment in a retractable roof worth the investment. So far this season, the Yankees are just extremely unlucky with weather. Lets hope it doesn't affect the team's play on the field in August/September when they have to make these games up!
Read the full post, after the jump