North Carolina State’s Hollywood Smothers (3) struggles in the grasp of East Carolina’s Dameon Wilson (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, North Carolina, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
(AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
It’s time to fire up the grill, grab your go-to game day snacks and dust off your favorite team’s gear because college football is back!
But will rain pull off a quarterback sneak into the forecast for your game? Let’s check out where weather could impact college football this weekend.
College Football: Week 1 Forecast
Friday Night
Why wait for Saturday when you can start your college football watch party tonight?
As an avid football fan and proud Georgia Tech alum, you already know I will be glued to the TV tonight watching my Yellow Jackets take on Colorado. But even a meteorologist can’t stop Mother Nature from raining on their favorite team.
Rain and storms are forecast across parts of the Rockies, Plains and South as well as parts of the Northeast. Though a little rain never hurt anyone, lightning certainly can — which means potential game delays.
If lightning is detected within 15 miles of a college football game, play is suspended until 30 minutes pass without another strike in the area.
Saturday
The chance of rain and storms lingers across parts of the Plains and South on Saturday as a stationary front stays parked across the region.
But on the bright side, in true summer fashion, many of these rain showers and thunderstorms will be short-lived.
Plus, the sweltering heat that we typically associate with early-season games will not be a factor for many in the central and eastern half of the country. Far-below-average temperatures will give players and fans a refreshing taste of fall.
Weather for some notable games:
Texas at Ohio State: Arguably one of the best games of the weekend will also have some of the best weather. Sunny and mid-70s will be a gift from Mother Nature to everyone making the trek to Columbus, Ohio.Alabama at Florida State: In typical Florida fashion, a high chance of rain and storms is in store for Tallahassee on Saturday. Fans will want to bring a poncho and be prepared for lightning delays.LSU at Clemson: A slight chance of scattered showers and storms is in the forecast for those headed to Clemson, South Carolina. Temperatures will drop into the upper 70s during the game, making for pleasant weather as long as the rain holds off.
Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.