The Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round amidst snowy conditions and frigid temperatures.

Buffalo braves the wintry weather as the Bills gear up to host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round on Sunday. The defending Super Bowl champions, led by Patrick Mahomes, will confront the challenges of Orchard Park’s chilly climate, presenting Mahomes with his first true road playoff game.

Also read | Who is Blake Corum? Age, college, girlfriend, Michigan, NFL draft and more

A lake-effect snow warning blankets Western New York until Thursday, potentially delivering 1 to 3 feet of snow, with forecasts hinting at an accumulation exceeding four feet. While the Sunday evening game (kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET) may not witness falling snow, logistical hurdles loom as the Bills offer $20 an hour for stadium snow shoveling.

Despite last week’s travel ban by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, no such restrictions exist currently, leaving the team to navigate potential practice and meeting disruptions. Coach Sean McDermott assures the Bills have a plan in place to manage these challenges and maintains confidence in their preparations.

The National Weather Service predicts a chance of morning snow showers in Orchard Park, evolving into a partly sunny day with a high near 23 degrees. By evening, the forecast anticipates mostly cloudy conditions, with temperatures dropping to 18 degrees and a southwest wind at 14 mph.

AccuWeather’s outlook for Highmark Stadium mirrors the NWS forecast, indicating a daily high of 26 degrees with considerable cloudiness. Despite the cold, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines assures Bills fans that this forecast is relatively mild for January, recommending proper bundling for the chilly game night.

With higher-than-usual confidence in the forecast, Kines dispels concerns of precipitation and deems the cycle of weather leading up to the game as tranquil. Although snowfall is anticipated until Sunday morning, travel worries for fans appear less significant compared to the previous week’s storms.

Also read | Who is Kyle Juszczyk’s wife Kristin Juszczyk?

As the Bills and Chiefs face off in what promises to be an intense playoff clash, weather conditions in Orchard Park may add an extra layer of complexity, testing the resilience of both teams in the quest for a spot in the AFC Championship. Stay tuned for updates as game day approaches.