Weather for Tonight's NFL Game: What Most People Get Wrong About the Seattle and Denver Forecasts

Football in January is a completely different beast. You’ve got the Divisional Round of the playoffs, high stakes, and, most importantly, the elements. If you are looking at the weather for tonight's nfl game, you aren't just looking for a "rain or shine" report. You're trying to figure out if Josh Allen's deep ball is going to sail out of bounds in the Denver thin air or if Brock Purdy is going to be dealing with a slick ball in the Pacific Northwest.

Tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we have a massive double-header. First, the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Then, later tonight, the San Francisco 49ers head to Lumen Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks.

Honestly? The weather looks surprisingly decent for mid-January, but "decent" in football terms still means you'll want to wear about four layers if you're in the stands.

The High-Altitude Chill: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos

Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM ET (which is 2:30 PM local time in Denver). People always assume Denver in January is a blizzard-fest. Sometimes it is. But for tonight, the forecast is actually quite crisp and clear.

The temperature at kickoff will be hovering right around 37°F to 38°F.

That is cold, but it’s not "Ice Bowl" cold. The real factor in Denver is always the wind and the humidity. Tonight, the humidity is sitting remarkably low—around 18%. This means the air is dry, and for the players, it might feel a bit harder to catch their breath than usual, especially for a Bills team coming from sea level.

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Winds are expected to be light, around 9 to 10 mph coming from the South.

• Precipitation: 0% chance. It’s going to be dry.
• Field Conditions: Natural grass, but the Denver grounds crew is elite. No snow on the horizon.
• The "Vibe" Factor: Clear skies mean visibility is perfect for those deep shots Sean Payton loves to call.

For the Bills, Josh Allen has played in much worse. Remember the "Snowbowl" games in Buffalo? This will feel like a spring day to him. But don't sleep on that 10 mph wind. In the thin air of Mile High, a 10 mph gust can move a ball further than it would in a stadium like MetLife.

PNW Nightly: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

The late game kicks off at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM local) in Seattle. This is where the weather for tonight's nfl game gets interesting. Seattle in January usually means one thing: "The Mist."

Right now, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 49°F.

That’s actually quite warm for this time of year! It’s nearly ten degrees warmer than the Denver game. However, Seattle weather is notorious for being "damp." Even if it isn't pouring rain, the air at Lumen Field often feels heavy.

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Key Seattle Weather Metrics:

1. Humidity: 76%. That is high. The ball is going to feel heavy and potentially a little slick as the night goes on and the dew settles.
2. Wind: Very calm. We’re looking at maybe 3 to 4 mph. This is a kicker’s dream.
3. Sky: Mostly clear.

Wait, clear skies in Seattle? Yep. The usual Pacific Northwest rain clouds are taking a night off. While it’s "clear," that high humidity means the field will likely get slick. If you’re watching the game, keep an eye on the receivers' feet. We might see some slipping on those quick out-routes, especially on the turf at Lumen Field.

Does the Weather Favor the Underdogs?

Usually, bad weather is a "great equalizer." It slows down fast offenses and turns games into a "three yards and a cloud of dust" situation.

But since the weather for tonight's nfl game is actually quite stable, the "skill" players should be able to do their thing. In Denver, the dry air helps the ball travel. In Seattle, the lack of wind means Sam Darnold (if he plays through that oblique injury) or Brock Purdy won't have to worry about their passes fluttering.

If you’re a betting person or just a die-hard fan, the lack of "weather drama" actually favors the teams with the better rosters. There’s no "tundra" to save a team that’s getting outplayed.

What to Watch for as the Night Progresses

Temperatures will drop as the sun goes down in both locations. By the fourth quarter in Denver, you’re looking at temperatures dipping into the low 30s. The ball gets harder. It hurts more to get hit. Kickers might lose a few yards of distance as the air densifies slightly.

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In Seattle, the temp will stay relatively stable around the mid-40s, but that "chill" from the Puget Sound is real. It’s a "wet cold" that gets into the bones of players sitting on the bench.

Quick Tips for Fans and Analysts

If you are tracking the weather for tonight's nfl game for your fantasy lineups or just to impress your friends at the bar, here is the "cheat sheet":

• Denver: Dry, 38°F, 10 mph wind. Fast track. Advantage: Offenses.
• Seattle: Damp, 49°F, calm wind. High humidity. Watch for slick ball handling.

Basically, we are looking at a "pure" football night. No mud, no blizzards, just cold air and high-stakes playoff football.

For those looking ahead, Sunday’s games are a different story. The Texans at Patriots game in Foxborough is showing a nearly 80% chance of snow. And the Rams at Bears game? Frigid. We're talking 21°F with 15 mph winds. Tonight is the "warm-up" before the real winter carnage begins tomorrow.

Next Steps for Your Gameday:
Check the "active/inactive" lists 90 minutes before kickoff. While the weather won't bench anyone tonight, those cold temperatures can make lingering injuries—like Sam Darnold's oblique—much harder to manage during warmups. Make sure you have your final rosters locked in before the 4:30 PM ET kickoff in Denver.