Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago Cubs: Weather Updates from Coors Field

UPDATED: With rain possible throughout the entire series between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs in Denver, this post will contain the weather thread for all three games. Hit refresh to get the latest information.

Monday thread

Will the Rockies and Chicago Cubs play their scheduled game on Monday night in Denver? That’s the biggest question many fans are asking right now.

With a contrast of Cubs and Rockies jerseys and hats circling the perimeter under the covering of Coors Field, rain was coming down 30 minutes before scheduled first pitch. However, that wasn’t the worst weather phenomenon that had already happened during the afternoon at Coors Field.

What was described as an “apocalyptic hail storm” moved through downtown Denver roughly three hours before scheduled first pitch on Monday. Coors Field was covered in hail and Denver snowplows were out in the city pushing hail off the roadways. Needless to say, it was a mess. You can see some of the pictures by clicking here.

As of 6:20 p.m. Mountain time, skies were getting lighter around Coors Field but the tarp was still on the stadium as the ground crew worked to remove the ice from the earlier hail from the outfield. Officially, the game was still under a weather delay.

We are sitting in the press box at Coors Field tracking the developments. We will bring you updates at the bottom of this article throughout the evening as information develops regarding the starting time of the game.

For the Cubs, a delay could mean another late night after what was a nightmarish scenario on Sunday night. An 18-inning game against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field ended just after midnight (Mountain time). The late game meant the Cubs didn’t get into Denver until the very early morning hours on Monday.

This is Chicago’s lone visit to Denver this season, meaning the three games scheduled for this week will be played if at all possible. However, the weather forecast doesn’t look great in Denver through Wednesday. Scattered rain and thunderstorms are scheduled throughout the time the Cubs are in Denver.

Next: Check out our preview of the Rockies-Cubs series

MONDAY UPDATES — Make sure you hit refresh to get the latest information

6:27 p.m. — The tarp is being removed from the field. No updated start time has been given.

6:33 p.m. — The water has been removed from the top of the tarp and put in the outfield. Crews will work to remove it from the playing surface. The tarp is now back on the field. No additional updates have been given.

6:36 p.m. — Another cell of potentially heavy rain is located just south of Coors Field and is expected to move through within the next 30-40 minutes. The tarp is being left on the field.

6:45 p.m. — Blaring in white letters on a black background on the Coors Field scoreboard is this: “Tonight’s game is in delay due to weather. Thank you for your patience.”

6:47 p.m. — Announced over loudspeaker in press box that Chicago’s Jason Heyward has gone on the 10-day disabled list with finger injury. Cubs have selected contract of right-hander Dylan Floro to take his place on roster. Chicago looks to bolster bullpen in Denver after long weekend at Wrigley against Yankees.

6:52 p.m. — According to The Weather Channel, there is a 95 percent chance of thunderstorms in Denver at 7 p.m. It drops to 80 percent at 8 p.m. and 75 percent at 9 p.m. Still, not great odds for a dry evening.

6:58 p.m. — The rain has picked up in intensity. Still, plenty of ticket-holders sitting in seats covered in ponchos and umbrellas.

7:09 p.m. — Just went downstairs. Lots of folks still walking around, eating and drinking and hoping the game will be played. Some are even sampling the apple pie nachos. Rain still coming down steadily.

7:15 p.m. — Wondering just how much hail parts of Denver got this afternoon?

7:17 p.m. — Thunder and lightning have returned to the Coors Field area. Rain intensifying.

7:20 p.m. — Heaviest rain of the evening so far is coming down here at Coors Field.

7:37 p.m. — Rain is letting up but more is expected. Plenty of Cubs fans still standing around the visitors dugout hoping for a glimpse of their favorite players.

7:51 p.m. — Light rain still falling. Can see it hitting the pools of water already on the tarp. Still no update on plans for this game.

7:56 p.m. — The game has officially been postponed. Will be played at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday as part of a day-night double-header. Night game will begin at 6:40 p.m.

TUESDAY UPDATES — Make sure you hit refresh to get the latest information

11:38 a.m. — Partly cloudy this morning at Coors Field as the Rockies and Cubs prepare for the rescheduled Game 1 of their three-game set. Chances for rain are 15 percent until 3 p.m. when it jumps up to 30 percent. It goes up to 35 percent at 4 p.m. and stays there until around 9 p.m. when it drops back down to 20 percent. All in all, the forecast for today has improved greatly since last night.

2:37 p.m. — Rain is starting to appear west and south of Denver, resembling the weather pattern we saw yesterday. Still four hours until the regularly scheduled game begins.

5:00 p.m. — Here’s what the Denver NBC affiliate is seeing on its radar. Stay tuned…

5:42 p.m. — No tarp on Coors Field at the moment. No word of any delay. Game is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m.

6:27 p.m. — Pregame festivities going on as planned and on-time start will happen. Cloudy and 65 degrees at Coors Field.

WEDNESDAY UPDATES — Make sure you hit refresh to get the latest information

11:35 a.m. — Cloudy and 53 at Coors Field currently. According to Weather Channel, there is a 50 percent chance of storms at 3 p.m. It goes up to 60 percent at 4 p.m. and 70 percent at 5 p.m. With first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m., it may need to be a quick game today to avoid delays.

12:14 p.m. — The tarp is being put on the field as rain begins to fall at Coors Field.

12:26 p.m. — We are officially in a rain delay. Just announced.

12:47 p.m. — The tarp is still on the field but the rain has let up somewhat. Scattered showers are currently throughout the area. No update on a start time.

12:58 p.m. — Skies are much lighter but the tarp is still on the field as light rain falls. There is no update on a starting time. Officially still in a weather delay.

1:19 p.m. — Tarp is still on the field but estimated first pitch has just been announced for 2 p.m.

1:21 p.m. — Ground crew has emerged and is beginning tarp removal process.