Weather and the impact on sports
Several variables come into play to determine the outcome of a sport’s game. Typically people look at how a team has prepared, how the other team looks on paper, and learn a team’s strengths and weaknesses. These are variables that you typically have some control over, but there’s one variable that has caused several upsets in sports and that’s weather.
Just today, Mid-Missouri has been experiencing some breezy conditions. Winds have been sustained out of the south today around 15 mph, with gusts up to 25. These winds are a product of a tightening pressure gradient, as a low develops over Colorado. While these winds have been bringing us some unseasonably warm temperatures, it could potentially cause some problems as we head into the football game tomorrow afternoon.
Mizzou is known as being a team that likes to pass through the air in their games. It’s these throws that will require the team to focus, as the football could get caught in the wind and pose some problems. The winds during the day tomorrow will be increasing out of the S-SW, becoming gusty at times. With winds gusting up to 30 mph from that direction, this means the wind will flow through the stadium.
The wind flowing through the stadium will create what is called the “tunnel effect”. As air moves it becomes naturally compressed, which allows the wind to travel faster. As winds move through Faurot Field tomorrow evening the compression of these winds, as they hit the stadium create this tunnel effect. This will allow the winds to briefly increase as they flow through the stadium. The tunnel effect is one reason as to why you should never seek shelter under an overpass during a tornado warning.
The breezy conditions within the stadium could cause problems with the passing game, as well as kicking field goals into the wind. There is good news though, winds running parallel to the field are a lot easier to play in compared to cross winds.
Temperatures tomorrow will be unseasonably warm, with highs in the low to mid 80s. Record high for tomorrow is 86 degrees. One other factor to expect during the game is the warm air. Warmer air is lighter than cooler air, which may allow the football to travel further through the air.
