Coldest Super Bowls in NFL History

Since television ownership boomed in the 1950s, singular cultural and political moments – including the Apollo 11 moon landing, Richard Nixon’s resignation speech, and the series finale of M*A*S*H – have drawn broadcast audiences of more than 100 million. But in the realm of median sensations, the Super Bowl is in a league of its own. Viewership of the NFL’s championship game has exceeded the 100 million threshold every year since 2009, hitting a record-high of 127.7 million viewers in 2025, according to Fox Sports. 

The Super Bowl is a key source of revenue for the NFL and broadcasters, as advertisers are now shelling out an average of $8 million for a 30-second spot during the game. This year, as the New England Patriots face off against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, will likely be no different. As is the case during the regular NFL season, however, weather during the Super Bowl can pose a threat to players and ticketholders alike. In the last five years alone, natural disasters or climate conditions have caused four NFL games to either be rescheduled or relocated.

Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, the NFL championship game has been held in either January or February – two of the coldest months of the year. In light of the game’s cultural and financial importance, weather is a key consideration in choosing a host city. Reportedly, the Super Bowl venue must have either an average game day temperature of at least 50°F or an enclosed stadium. Partially as a result, over half of the 59 games in Super Bowl history have been played in either Los Angeles County, Miami, or New Orleans – places where the average high temperature in the winter months ranges from about 59°F to 77°F, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

This year, the Super Bowl will be held on February 8, at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California – home of the San Francisco 49ers. Historical data from the San Jose weather station, located less than 10 miles from Levi Stadium, shows an average temperature range of between 43.2°F and 61.5°F for February 8. Meaningful departures from these norms remain possible, however, as local records indicate the mercury falling as low as 26°F on February 8. Should such low temperatures return on game day, players and attendees will be largely subject to the elements, as Levi Stadium is an open air facility. 

Using data from NOAA’s Northeast Regional Climate Center, Climate Crisis 247 identified the coldest Super Bowls in NFL history. We reviewed the date and location of each of the 59 previous Super Bowls, and matched that information with historic local weather reports from NOAA’s NRCC. Scores, dates, and locations for each Super Bowl are as reported by Pro Football Reference. Supplemental data on climate norms are from the NRCC. 

For most Super Bowls in history, average game day temperatures exceeded 55°F. For each of the 10 games on this list, however, average temperatures do not exceed 41°F, and daily lows range between 36°F and -6°F, falling below the local average daily low by double digits in several cases. 

10. Super Bowl XXVIII – Jan. 30, 1994

• Location: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia (Fulton County)
• Local game day temperatures: 46°F high (9.1°F below local daily avg. high), 36°F low (in line with local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0.03 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: Dallas Cowboys, 30 points; Buffalo Bills, 13 points

9. Super Bowl XLVIII – Feb. 2, 2014

• Location: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Bergen County)
• Local game day temperatures: 55°F high (14.4°F above local daily avg. high), 27°F low (1.7°F above local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: Seattle Seahawks, 43 points; Denver Broncos, 8 points

8. Super Bowl XLVI – Feb. 5, 2012

• Location: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana (Marion County)
• Local game day temperatures: 49°F high (11.0°F above local daily avg. high), 32°F low (10.3°F above local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: New York Giants, 21 points; New England Patriots, 17 points

7. Super Bowl XII – Jan. 15, 1978

• Location: Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana (Orleans Parish)
• Local game day temperatures: 48°F high (15.9°F below local daily avg. high), 31°F low (15.1°F below local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: Dallas Cowboys, 27 points; Denver Broncos, 10 points

6. Super Bowl VI – Jan. 16, 1972

• Location: Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana (Orleans Parish)
• Local game day temperatures: 45°F high (18.9°F below local daily avg. high), 28°F low (18.1°F below local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: Dallas Cowboys, 24 points; Miami Dolphins, 3 points

5. Super Bowl XXXIV – Jan. 30, 2000

• Location: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia (Fulton County)
• Local game day temperatures: 35°F high (20.1°F below local daily avg. high), 30°F low (6°F below local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0.2 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: St. Louis Rams, 23 points; Tennessee Titans, 16 points

4. Super Bowl XL – Feb. 5, 2006

• Location: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan (Wayne County)
• Local game day temperatures: 33°F high (0.2°F above local daily avg. high), 26°F low (7.1°F above local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0.1 inches; 1.1 inches of snow
• Game outcome: Pittsburgh Steelers, 21 points; Seattle Seahawks, 10 points

3. Super Bowl XXVI – Jan. 26, 1992

• Location: Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Hennepin County)
• Local game day temperatures: 26°F high (2.4°F above local daily avg. high), 7°F low (1.1°F below local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: Washington Redskins, 37 points; Buffalo Bills, 24 points

2. Super Bowl XVI – Jan. 24, 1982

• Location: Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan (Oakland County)
• Local game day temperatures: 16°F high (14.9°F below local daily avg. high), 6°F low (9.6°F below local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: 0.01 inches; 0 inches of snow
• Game outcome: San Francisco 49ers, 26 points; Cincinnati Bengals, 21 points

1. Super Bowl LII – Feb. 4, 2018

• Location: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Hennepin County)
• Local game day temperatures: 9°F high (16.1°F below local daily avg. high), -6°F low (15.3°F below local daily avg. low)
• Local game day precipitation: trace amounts
• Game outcome: Philadelphia Eagles, 41 points; New England Patriots, 33 points