You’ll need to bundle up for Penn State’s White Out playoff game. See the full forecast

At long last, the first College Football Playoff game in Beaver Stadium history is now just days away. If you’re one of the thousands of Penn State football fans planning on packing the bleachers, you might need to pack your parka.

Early forecasts for the Nittany Lions’ postseason matchup against the SMU Mustangs call for freezing temperatures, breezy winds and a small chance of snow showers. Even with the game set to kick off at noon, fans in attendance will surely need to bundle up and keep warm to withstand an afternoon outdoors as winter approaches.

Here’s what fans need to know about the forecast, Penn State’s postseason game and more.

What’s the weather outlook for Beaver Stadium against SMU?

As of Monday afternoon, AccuWeather’s State College forecast for Saturday calls for intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit and a low reaching down to 20 degrees.

“First off, it is the third week of December, after all, and I think we should expect it to be cold,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. “Those attending need to bundle up, and I mean bundle up. You’ll need hats, gloves, scarves and plenty of layers.”

“We all know there’s going to be one — and maybe more than one — crazy person in the stands with his shirt off and a big letter painted on his chest,” Kines joked. “For the rest of us, we’ll need to layer up, because it’s going to be truly cold.”

Partly cloudy skies are expected during the afternoon, but Kines doesn’t expect periods of sunshine to warm up the crowds packing Beaver Stadium’s bleachers.

Winds are expected to settle around 15 mph and potentially gust up to 30 mph Saturday afternoon, AccuWeather projects. Any kind of breeze on such a brisk day should make temperatures feel even colder.

“The wind will make it feel like it’s in the teens,” Kines said. “If you’re brave enough to be tailgating earlier in the day, it could feel like temperatures are in the single digits.”

AccuWeather’s forecast calls for roughly a 30% chance of snow showers, though Kines doesn’t expect much of any accumulation. Those traveling to the area for Penn State’s big game likely won’t need to fret over delays produced by winter weather.

“It’s not out of the question, if there’s a heavier snow shower, to see a dusting or light covering on the ground, but I think that’s the least of our worries on Saturday. I think the cold is more worrisome than any snow showers around,” Kines said.

Winter storms Sunday produced around 3 inches of snow in State College, according to the National Weather Service. The area has received roughly 5.6 inches of snow so far this winter season, falling just an inch or so below what State College would typically observe in a normal season through Dec. 16.

Gearing up for a winter White Out

Penn State hardly waited an hour after learning of its College Football Playoff berth to announce the Nittany Lions’ first-round matchup will be a White Out.

The beloved college football tradition, which asks fans to dress in all white, is usually reserved for the biggest game of Penn State’s season. The team planned an official White Out earlier this year against Washington, but fans tend to wear all white for the team’s biggest games anyway.

Those heading to Beaver Stadium for Saturday’s game might need to get creative to dress on theme and stay warm — especially if you don’t already own an all-white parka and a full lineup of Penn State winter accessories. Some options at local stores and online can meet those needs, though.

For example, State College’s Student Book Store, located at 330 E. College Ave. in State College, sells a full lineup of white Penn State puffer jackets, quarter-zip sweaters, winter heats and more. As of Monday afternoon, the official Penn State Athletics online store has unisex all-white hooded lounger coats up for grabs for $30 off.

Even those who don’t feel like purchasing a new jacket or accessory might opt to instead purchase a white Penn State poncho in town. You could always throw one over your winter coat and grab them for as cheap as $5 or $6 at several downtown stores.

Penn State-SMU game information

TNT and Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max streaming service will broadcast Penn State’s clash with SMU at noon Saturday.

Though tickets for the game are still available, Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft still expects a sellout. Hotel rooms in the area were available for booking for more than $1,000 per night shortly after tickets went on sale last week, likely inflated in part by Penn State’s fall commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday.

While the game marks Penn State’s first-ever appearance in a College Football Playoff game, the Nittany Lions have met the Mustangs twice before. The programs produced a 13-13 tie in the 1948 Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day and sparred decades later to the tune of a 26-21 Penn State win in Happy Valley in 1978.

Penn State earned the No. 6 seed in the new-look College Football Playoff, which features a 12-team bracket for the first time ever. The Nittany Lions, who fell to No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier in December, are 11-2 on the season, matching SMU’s overall record after a stunning loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship at the hands of a walk-off Clemson field goal.

Penn State worked in advance to winterize Beaver Stadium in anticipation of a potential postseason game in Happy Valley. In addition to other renovations inside Penn State’s stadium, crews worked to insulate pipes and perform stadium maintenance to ensure the facility could function properly under freezing conditions.

This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 2:18 PM.

Matt DiSanto

Centre Daily Times

814-231-4616

Matt is a 2022 Penn State graduate. Before arriving at the Centre Daily Times, he served as Onward State’s managing editor and a general assignment reporter at StateCollege.com. Support my work with a digital subscription