Winter Storm Fern Disrupts Football and Basketball Games Around the Country

This weekend, a very large winter storm moved across much of the United States. The storm is called Winter Storm Fern. It dropped heavy snow and ice in at least 34 states, from the South and Midwest all the way to the Northeast. Some places got more than a foot of snow. The storm made travel unsafe, caused power outages, and led to many flight cancellations. 

Because the snow and ice made roads dangerous, many schools and businesses closed, and weather officials warned people to stay indoors. Fern also brought extremely cold temperatures in many areas, making it feel even colder than the actual air temperature. 

How Snow Affects Football Games

In many states, even professional football is played outdoors, so when it snows, the field can become slippery and difficult to play on. Snow on the ground can hide the yard lines that help players and referees know where they are on the field. It can also make the football wet and hard to grip.

When snow gets heavy, teams often change how they play. Passing can become hard because the ball is slippery and the receivers and defenders can slip. Instead, teams run the ball more because it is usually easier to hold onto the ball and make steady progress.

A Snowy AFC Championship Game

In this weekend’s AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos, snow began falling heavily halfway through the third quarter. At first, the field was clear, but as the snow continued, the green grass became covered in white.

Once the field was snowy, both teams changed their game plans. They chose to run the ball more instead of passing. The snow made footing slippery, and even on the same play, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson slipped in the snow. Plays like that show how snow can make even the best athletes lose their footing. The Patriots pulled off the win but snowy conditions made moving the ball harder and changed the way both teams tried to score.

How Snow Affected Basketball Games

Basketball games are played inside arenas, so snow does not fall on the court. However, the winter storm still caused problems this weekend. In Memphis, the planned Grizzlies–Nuggets game was canceled because the weather made travel unsafe. In Dallas, the Mavericks–Bucks game was also canceled because teams could not fly or drive safely to the game. These cancellations happened because the storm shut down roads and airports, not because snow was on the basketball court.

When It Comes to Sports Snow Is No Joke!

Snow is fun to play in, but a big storm like Winter Storm Fern shows how weather can affect everyday life. Snow can change how outdoor games are played and can even make indoor games harder to hold if teams cannot travel. Weather like this reminds us that nature plays a big role in sports and in our lives.