MLB Opening Day is here, and as we gear up for the 2026 season, spring weather can most certainly put a damper on things, as we have seen over the years. 

What You Need To Know

Early season games can be quite cold for northern teams

Spring brings a variety of weather hazards to baseball games early in the season

Snow has led to a postponed games over the years

When you think about weather delays in baseball, you typically think about rain or storms causing the delay. With Opening Day in late March into early April, a wide range of weather can cause delays. 

From playing baseball in the 20s to playing in the snow, here are some notable extreme weather events during the first week of the MLB season.

2018 New York Yankees’ Home Opener

During the 2018 season, a winter storm postponed the New York Yankees’ home opener because of snow. This winter storm brought 5.5″ to Central Park, which is more than the average for the entire month of March. 

The beginning of the 2018 MLB season featured 28 postponed games due to weather over the first three weeks. Last year’s Opening Day only had one weather delay because of rain. 

Snow covers the field before the scheduled New York Yankees’ home opener game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, Monday, April 2, 2018, in New York. The game was postponed due to weather and rescheduled for Tuesday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

2007 Cleveland Home Opener

Winter weather in early April 2007 affected the Cleveland Guardians’ home opener. The first game started dry, but snow increased throughout the game. Just before the end of the fifth inning, the game was delayed and eventually suspended.

Over the next few days, about a foot of snow fell in Cleveland, which led to the entire series being postponed.

The grounds crew covers the field with a tarp during a rain delay in the fourth inning of a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds at Fenway Park, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

1996 Snow Game

Games aren’t always delayed or postponed even during snowstorms. An early April snowstorm didn’t postpone the Yankees’ home opener in 1996. The Yankees would win a snowy first game in the Bronx.

Scoreboards above the visiting team’s bullpen announce the weather delay during a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Throughout the entire year, you can expect a wide range of weather hazards that will affect games during the MLB season. From snowstorms to heat waves, the baseball season sees it all. 

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.