Freezing. Honestly, there’s no other way to describe the air if you’re heading out to see the Winnipeg Jets take on the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena tonight. While the New York Jets finished their 2025-26 NFL season a few weeks back after a tough divisional run, the "other" Jets are very much in the thick of a winter battle.
If you're looking for the temperature at jets game today, you need to prep for a Saint Paul deep freeze. We aren't just talking about a light chill.
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The Real Numbers for Tonight
The local forecast for East Rutherford (for those still thinking football) is actually hovering around a high of 41°F with a low of 19°F tonight. But for the actual game happening today—the Winnipeg Jets hockey matchup—the Minnesota air is far more brutal. Outside the arena, temperatures are expected to plummet. We are looking at a low of about 15°F, and with the wind picking up, it’ll feel significantly colder.
Grand Casino Arena is an indoor venue, obviously. Still, anyone who has spent time in a hockey rink knows the "indoor" temperature isn't exactly tropical. To keep the ice at a professional grade, the building temperature is usually maintained between 50°F and 60°F.
That sounds manageable until you’re sitting still for three periods.
Why the "Feels Like" Temp Matters
Most people check their weather app and see a number. They think, "Oh, 18 degrees, I'll wear a coat."
Wrong.
The wind in the Twin Cities today is expected to hit 10-15 mph. That pushes the wind chill into the single digits. If you're walking from a distant parking lot to the Grand Casino Arena, those ten minutes will feel like an eternity.
- The Humidity Factor: High humidity (around 54%) in cold weather makes the air feel "heavier" and can sap body heat faster than dry cold.
- Arena Drafts: Depending on your seat, especially near the glass or the tunnels, you'll catch a micro-climate of cold air that is much lower than the "official" arena temp.
- The Ice Surface: The ice itself is kept at approximately 22°F. That’s a massive block of frozen water radiating cold directly toward the lower bowl.
Comparing This to New York Games
It’s funny how different "Jets weather" can be. Back in December, when the New York Jets were playing at MetLife, we saw rain-slicked fields and 40-degree dampness. That kind of cold gets into your bones because of the moisture. Today’s temperature at the hockey game is a "dry" cold, but it’s sharp. It’s the kind of cold that makes your nose sting the second you step out of the car.
For the NHL Jets, this is business as usual. They’re coming from Winnipeg, where "cold" is a way of life. For the fans in Minnesota today, it's a battle of the North.
What to Actually Wear
Forget fashion. Seriously. If you’re heading to the game, you need layers that actually work.
Start with a moisture-wicking base. No cotton. Cotton traps sweat and turns into a cold, wet rag against your skin. Go with synthetic or merino wool. Then, add a heavy fleece or a team hoodie. Top it off with a windproof shell.
Basically, you want to create an air pocket. That’s what keeps you warm, not the thickness of the fabric itself.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is their footwear. The concrete floors of an arena are heat sinks. They will pull the warmth right out of your toes. Wear wool socks and shoes with a thick sole. If you're wearing thin sneakers, you're going to be miserable by the second intermission.
Expert Insights on the Matchup
The Winnipeg Jets enter this game with an 18-22-5 record. They’re the underdog here, with the Wild sitting much higher in the standings (26-12-9). Why does this matter for the temperature?
Energy.
A quiet, losing crowd feels colder. A roaring, packed house actually raises the ambient temperature of the seating bowl by a few degrees. If the Jets can pull off an upset against Kirill Kaprizov and the Wild, the atmosphere might just be enough to keep you from reaching for those hand warmers.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the 6:00 PM Update: Temperature drops rapidly in Minnesota once the sun goes down. Re-check the wind chill right before you leave.
- Pre-Heat the Car: If you're parking in an open lot, ensure your vehicle is ready for the post-game freeze.
- Arrival Time: Aim to be inside the arena 45 minutes before puck drop. This gives you time to shed your heavy outer layers and acclimate to the 55-degree indoor air before the game starts.
- Hydrate: It sounds counterintuitive, but dehydration makes you feel the cold more intensely. Drink water, not just coffee or beer.
Don't let the single digits outside ruin the experience. Proper layering and understanding the transition from the parking lot to the rink side is the only way to survive the temperature at the Jets game today without shivering through the final buzzer.