Yankees vs. Mariners Weather Update - Early Thunderstorms Likely To Cause A Delay

Hey! The Yankees are home. That means that there must be rain in New York City. Here is Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com with an update on how this weather will affect you for the entire home stand.

You know, maybe the Yankees should have invested in a dome or some sort. This forecast is going to sound rather familiar to a lot of Yankee fans out there.

The constant theme through the home stand will be the continued threat for showers and thunderstorms each and every day through this weekend and into early next week, which basically covers the entire time period that the Yankees are home. An upper low parked over the Great Lakes will basically sling shot one disturbance after another through the Bronx, which will produce an environment highly favorable for showers and strong to severe thunderstorms.

Tonight will be no different. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will approach the Bronx by around the start of the game. The thunderstorms should move relatively quickly, however lingering showers will be a nunsiance through the game tonight. Expect a delay to the start of the game or in the early portion of the game as these thunderstorms pass through. Frankly, if I was the manager and these storms were close, I would stall as much as possible as not to waste a start from your starting pitcher. Winds will be from the south around 10 to 20 mph, which will have a right to left influence over the outfield. Temperatures will range from the lower 80's to mid 70's through the game time. These thunderstorms tonight are not be taken lightly as they will be capable of ground to cloud lightning, large hail, heavy downpours, and very strong wind gusts. An isolated tornado is possible, but I doubt that threat will enter the Bronx this evening given the marine influence.

For the weather geeks out there, here is some updated radar:

Be careful out there.

On another note, sorry for the lack of a home stand preview. We started it, but real life just keeps getting in the way. Be sure to check the Stadium Insider twitter feed to stay up to date on all of our ramblings. 140 characters are easier to sneak in every now and then. Read the full post, after the jump

UPDATE: Weather for Yankees vs. Rays 6/5/09 - GAME POSTPONED, MAKEUP TBD

For the official Yankee Stadium weather update page (rarely updated), click here
For the Yankees rain out policy, click here
For current national radar, click here
For current local radar, click here

UPDATE (5:00 PM): As you all probably know by now, the game has been canceled:

YANKEES-RAYS GAME ON FRIDAY, JUNE 5 HAS BEEN POSTPONED;
MAKEUP GAME TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE

The New York Yankees announced that tonight's game between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium is postponed due to rain and rescheduled for a date to be determined. Fans holding paid tickets for the June 5 game may use them for the rescheduled game between the Yankees and Rays to be played at a date to be determined, or exchange their paid tickets for any regular season game at Yankee Stadium within 12 months of the postponed game (subject to availability).

Due to limited availability for Yankees home games during the 2009 season, fans are highly encouraged to use their tickets for the rescheduled game between the Yankees and the Rays.

We still think the Yankees could have waited this one out, but what can you do? September is going to be grueling for the Yankees.

UPDATE (1:40 PM): Via Steve, from his Iphone:

So far the forecast is right on track. The heavy rain will continue through 6 PM. Rain will taper off to scattered showers after 7 PM with clearing by 9 PM. Winds will be from the northeast around 10 to 20 mph. Temperatures will range from the lower to mid 50's.

As for the state of the game, I would bet on a delay at least.

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Well, today's weather seems to be a mess, with flooding rains overspreading the area throughout the day. With the AL East rival Rays coming to town (who have another trip to the stadium in September), it looks like the perfect storm for a Friday night rain out.

However, Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com is here to give us some hope, even with the bleak forecast from most of the mainstream weather sources:

I have some bad and good news to share this morning for Yankee fans. Let's deal with the bad news right off the bat.

The bad news is that the weather conditions for this evening will be cool and raw with a persistent northeasterly wind through this evening. The good news is that the bulk of the heavy rainfall is expected to move through the region between 1 PM and 6 PM with rain tapering off from northwest to southeast thereafter. While I expect showers to linger through the expected game time (7:15 PM), the heaviest rain will be moving through eastern Long Island and out into the Atlantic. Winds will be from the northeast around 15 to 30 mph, producing a strong wind current in from right field. I think the winds will be strong enough from the northeast to over come any micro jet that would develop along the right field line with weaker wind speeds. Temperatures will be cool with game time temperatures in the lower to mid 50's. So basically, if you go to the game tonight bring a rain coat, a sweater, and patience cause I am betting on a delay at the least with them trying to play later in the evening. After all, they've done that in similar situations.

The best news of course is that the rainy and raw conditions will be a distant memory by Saturday and Sunday as clear skies and dry conditions can be expected. Winds will be light and variable through the weekend, which will have little if any impact on game conditions. Temperatures at the game times will generally range from the lower to mid 70's.

When first reading Steve's point about the Yankees having long rain delays at home so far this season, it didn't really resonate. After all, those decisions had to do with the fact that the teams weren't visiting again (Angels) or because they had huge crowds (Red Sox). In this situation, the Rays come back to town in September, and the teams have a mutual off day following that series. Seems like the perfect situation for a doubleheader. However, the Yankees just scheduled another doubleheader a game on their off day with the Angels for September 14, so it is unlikely that the Yankees will be able to play two in one week give up all of their off days in September, or at least they won't want to.

Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the stadium tonight, don't be so quick to write this one off as a rain out. Unless the Yankees want to have a doubleheader this weekend, they may have to wait out the rain this evening, and hope for the best.

Please check back throughout the day for any late-breaking updates, including cancellations or delays. Read the full post, after the jump

Yankees vs. Phillies Memorial Day Weekend Weather Update: Sunday Wetter Than Saturday

It has been great not having to create posts like this, updating Yankee Stadium weather conditions. Unfortunately, after a beautiful week of weather, rain is back in the forecast, and that means Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com is here to let us know how it will affect this weekend's Yankee games. You may have also noticed that Steve has started to include some interesting opinions on how the winds will affect the play on the field. Lets keep an eye on what he has to say, since talk of the supposed wind-tunnel at the new house is all the rage. Here is what Steve has to say:

The good news is that I do not expect a wash out at all today nor tomorrow, however a persistent threat for showers and very strong to possibly severe thunderstorms will remain.

For today, expect partly cloudy conditions for the most part. Showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon, but will be widely scattered. The thunderstorms that do develop will have the potential to be very strong to possibly severe with heavy downpours, frequent lightning, small hail, and damaging wind gusts over 60 mph. The cold front is now south of the Bronx, which will mean a persistent northeast to easterly wind can be expected around 5 to 10 mph. This wind is blowing in and will have an inhibiting factor on fly balls, especially over left and center fields. A micro low level jet along the right field line may be of interest to watch as winds circulate around the stadium. As the cold front rebounds as a warm front this afternoon, the winds will shift to the south towards the end of the game. It is when this front rebounds that the thunderstorms will become a threat and will approach from the southwest. Temperatures through the game will be 69 to 75 through the game.

Tomorrow will be a bit wetter. Another cold front from the Great Lakes will approach with a better threat for showers and thunderstorms. The game, which is expected to start at 1 PM, will have dry conditions through at least the first three innings. From the fourth inning on, the cold front will approach with a threat of scattered showers and strong thunderstorms. There is potential for a lengthy delay in the middle innings of this game, however conditions will clear starting after 3PM to 4 PM to allow the game to resume. Expect winds to veer from the southwest to northwest around 5 to 15 mph. This means that winds will blow out at all directs at the start of the game. However, once the storms pass, winds will blow out from the left and center field but will blow to the right to left over right field. Temperatures will range from 72 to 78 degrees through the game.

Steve also let us know that if any nasty thunderstorms were approaching, he would update us via Twitter. For those of you who use Twitter on your cell phones while at the games, we would encourage you to add @NYNJPAWeather to your friends list, and even set up a text message alert of Steve's updates for the weekend. Wouldn't it be great to know when that heavy thunderstorm is going to hit and get a head start to the Carl's Philly Cheesesteak stand?

We'll be at the game on Sunday in section 428, Row 10, so come and say hello if you are in the vicinity. Hopefully the rain holds off until the game is over, but if not, we'll take solace in the fact that our seats are covered. After all, it is one of the few benefits of our unfortunate seat relocation. Read the full post, after the jump

Weather Update for May 16, Yankees vs. Twins - Expect a Mixed Bag

We're out of town this weekend for Nick's graduation, but for those of you attending the game today, here is an update on the weather conditions, provided by Steve DiMartino of NYNJPAWeather.com:

Here is an update for this afternoon's game.

Those going to the game today will see a mix of all the weather conditions a late spring day can bring. The fog will lift well before the game starts, however partly cloudy to overcast conditions can be expected for the start of the game. The atmosphere is becoming increasingly unstable, which means a few isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms will threaten baseball conditions towards the later innings. Winds will veer towards the southwest and increase to 10 to 20 mph, especially towards the later innings. This is a wind that will blow out and slightly to the left and will have an influence on fly balls. Game time temperatures will range from 66 to 70 degrees.

Have a great afternoon!

Hopefully the weather will hold up, and the game will be as exciting as last night's thriller. Enjoy the game everyone! Read the full post, after the jump

UPDATED: Yankees vs. Angels Postponed Sunday May 3, 2009 No Makeup Date Scheduled

Update (3:55 PM): Just getting to this now, because we were actually at the game. Obviously, it was postponed. No official makeup date has been announced, but here is the official word from the Yankees:

TODAY'S YANKEES-ANGELS GAME AT YANKEE STADIUM POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER; RESCHEDULED DATE YET TO BE DETERMINED

The New York Yankees announced that today's game between the Yankees and Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather. A date for the rescheduled game is yet to be determined.

Fans holding paid tickets for the May 3 postponed game may use them for the rescheduled game between the Yankees and Angels or exchange their paid tickets for any regular season game at Yankee Stadium within 12 months of the postponed game (subject to availability).

Tickets can be exchanged at Yankee Stadium Advance Ticket Windows only (open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and until two (2) hours after the scheduled start time of any regularly scheduled home game).

Complimentary tickets (COMP) or equivalent tickets bear no cash value and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for any benefits that may be offered to ticket(s) with a dollar value.

Now, lets just hope tomorrow night's game against Boston can be played! Unfortunately, more rain is in the forecast. Steve from NYNJPAWeather.com is now 2 for 2 in game day predictions of postponements. Be sure to check out his website for all of your weather needs. You can check out the original prediction if you

We were going to keep updating the previous weather post, but with this news, it was worth a new post.

In what is sure to cause a scheduling conundrum, it looks as though the Yankees and Angels are going to be washed out today due to steady rain in the forecast. Lets get the latest from Steve DiMartino of NYNJPAWeather.com:

A rainy day is expected in the Bronx with periods of rain through the afternoon and into the evening hours. Winds will veer from the southeast to northeast around 5 to 15 mph. Temperatures will rise slightly from this morning with game time temperatures between 59 and 63. Certainly not the best conditions for baseball. At the very least there should be a lengthy delay with logic dictating a postponement

The only logical day for a makeup game if today's game is rained out would be on September 14 in New York. Both teams are off that day, and the Angels would be heading from Anaheim to Boston anyway. Sure, it is not the ideal situation, but it is the only time that makes sense, especially since the 14th is scheduled to be the Yankees second off day in a five day stretch.

This is the Angels' one and only trip to the Bronx this year, and the Yankees won't want to give up a home game at their new stadium to play the game in Anaheim during one of their two trips out there. One of the Yankees' trips to Anaheim falls right before the All-Star Game, so the teams would have to play a makeup game out in Anaheim on the day of the home run derby, since neither team has an off day before the series. The off day after the Yankees/Angels series in September has the Yankees traveling to Boston, and the Angels staying home to face the A's, so it is unlikely they would fly back to NY that day to play the game. Theoretically the teams could play the Yankees' home game in Anaheim on that day, but then the Yankees would not have a travel day before heading to Boston and also would lose the home game.

There isn't much more of a nightmare scenario for a home team than games getting rained out during an opponent's one and only trip to the stadum. The Yankees were lucky when the Angels' fellow West Coast team the A's had a rainout in the Bronx a couple of weeks ago because the A's make another trip to the stadium this year. It seems like the Yankees make two trips to Anaheim every year, so the luck ran out with this potential rainout.

Once again, we'd like to curse the baseball Gods for giving the Mets 90 degrees and sunny for their second home stand, and the Yankees the threat of rain every single day. Hopefully the Yankees won't have any more postponements against the Red Sox or Tampa Bay Rays, although those would be easier to make up.

Keep an eye on the official Yankees.com update page, and expect lengthy delays, as the Yankees will do all they can to try to squeeze this one in. The radars do not paint a pretty picture:

Read the full post, after the jump