Papal Weather Planner: Could Rain Cancel Events in Philly, NYC?

Pope Francis arrives in New York on Thursday afternoon to begin his visit to our area, welcomed by a mixed bag of weather with the threat of showers for Sunday.

"Officials have said Sunday’s outdoor Mass will be cancelled only in the event of dangerous thunder and lightning but that is unlikely," says meteorologist Dan Zarrow, who is keeping an eye on a low pressure area drifting toward New Jersey. "Forecast models don’t show any heavy rain for New Jersey — really just some scattered showers with a period or two of steadier rainfall."

Zarrow expects any showers to fall south of Route 195, meaning the Jets-Eagles game on Sunday afternoon in the Meadowlands should stay dry.

Friday:

Zarrow's forecast is for cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower 70s during the day for early arrivals into Central Park for the papal procession through Central Park. There will be a brisk wind out of the northeast at about 20 mph

5 p.m. - Procession through Central Park:

Mostly cloudy
Temperature: 70
Wind: From the northeast at 20 mph

9 p.m. - End of the Papal Mass at Madison Square Garden

Mostly cloudy
Temperature: 65
Wind: From the northeast at 10 mph

Saturday:

The clouds will stay around all day and into the evening as the papal visit focus switched to Philadelphia and the northeast wind gets stronger to 30 mph with temperatures in the lower 70s in the late afternoon.

There could be a scattered shower but nothing to dissuade the faithful from flocking to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway early for a glimpse of the Pope. Dan Zarrow suggests bringing a light jacket as it will get cooler in the evening with sunset at 6:52 p.m and temperatures will begin to fall into the lower 60s as the parade ends and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

5 p.m. - Papal Parade & Festival of Families Concert, Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Mostly cloudy
Temperature: 71
Wind: From the northeast at 20 mph

9:30 p.m. - Festival of Families Concert, Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Cloudy
Temperature: 63
Wind: From the northeast at 15 mph

Sunday

Sunday is the biggest toss up as far as a forecast. if you are heading to Philadelphia for the Pope's late afternoon Mass you'll be there under cloudy skies and there's a good chance of scattered showers. It will be a bit cooler with 30 mph wind gusts out of the northeast with temperatures in the upper 60s. Temperatures will drop as the Mass goes into the evening.

4 p.m. - Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway