The Miami Dolphins are all set to host the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. While the fans gear up for some Miami football action, they might suit themselves up for a classic Miami vibe-warm, humid, and definitely unpredictable when it comes to weather. It is a kind of weather where you will want to carry your sunscreens, stay hydrated, and keep an eye on the skies as well, because the sudden afternoon showers love making surprise appearances here.

While fans wait for the ultimate clash between the Dolphins and the Patriots in Miami, the game day calls for warm and humid conditions with a notable chance of rain. The game will kick off at 1 PM ET, and according to Oddstrader, that’s when you can expect temperatures around 85°F –86°F during the game. The temperature will then gradually fall to around 80°F in the evening. There are around 36% chances of rain during the game. The game faces a maximum precipitation impact rating of 10, with passing showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.

Although a 36% chance is not considered a “threat” for games, pop-up storms always pose a possibility in South Florida during mid-September. Also, the temperature stays comfortable during this time. Warm temperatures climbing into the mid-to-upper 80s will fuel afternoon thunderstorm development. The weather impact escalates from low-risk early to high-risk as daytime heating triggers storm activity. This is very characteristic of Miami’s tropical climate at this time of year. So there is no need for the fans to worry much as the game might be delayed, but the chances of it getting washed out are quite low.

Winds are expected to remain relatively calm during the game, ranging from 4-4.37 mph throughout the contest. The light wind conditions should have minimal impact on passing and kicking games. The most severe weather is forecast to arrive during the latter portion of the game, with third and fourth quarters potentially experiencing the heaviest precipitation and thunderstorm activity. Forecasters predicted a 60% chance of rain for the season opener between the Cowboys and the Eagles. Yet the game was still delayed by an hour.

There are no chances of the play being interrupted by rain for any other game, but there is one more contest that is worth monitoring for the weather. The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, September 14, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Although rain is less likely to occur, this match-up is recorded as the windiest on the clipboard. The winds will be around 10 MPH, which the guys are big enough to handle.

How does rain affect a football?

Rain in an NFL game really shakes things up. When the field gets wet, footing gets tricky, players slip and lose speed. Handling the ball also turns into a challenge. That means more dropped passes and fumbles because, well, the ball just won’t stick! In fact, studies show teams commit about 1.3 times more turnovers in wet weather, and fumble rates jump by as much as 35%. Pass completion rates drop by around 7% too, making passing riskier overall.

When precipitation hits, coaches typically adjust their offensive approach. Teams shift away from deep passing attacks, instead emphasizing ground games, short passing routes, and reliable running backs who excel at ball security. The focus becomes conservative play-calling designed to minimize turnovers. A coach once explained, “In wet conditions, players often struggle with grip and traction, making simple passes and catches much harder.” This reality forces offensive coordinators to simplify their game plans and rely on execution over complexity during adverse weather conditions.

Quarterbacks really take a hit during this time. The wet ball is hard to grip and throw accurately.

Rain significantly disrupts offensive rhythm and special teams execution. During a 2019 Patriots-Cowboys game played in wet conditions, receivers from both teams dropped crucial passes, highlighting how precipitation affects ball handling and timing between quarterbacks and their targets. Field goal units face additional obstacles in rainy conditions. Wet surfaces create footing issues for kickers and holders, while moisture makes the ball heavier, reducing both distance and accuracy on kicks. These factors combine to make special teams play particularly challenging during inclement weather.

Both teams, Miami & Patriots, coming off disappointing Week 1 losses, will be hoping the rain doesn’t create additional chaos and that the game proceeds without weather-related complications. After already dealing with season-opening setbacks, neither squad wants Mother Nature to further complicate their efforts to bounce back.