Bears Make Announcement After NFL Delivers Final Key Decision on Latest Weather Update Ahead of Bears vs. Rams Playoff Clash in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois – January 16, 2026

As the Chicago Bears prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, the focus is shifting from matchups and schemes to a familiar January variable in Chicago: the weather.

The Bears earned the NFC’s No. 2 seed this season, securing a second home playoff game at Soldier Field. With a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line, that home-field advantage may be amplified by conditions that are expected to be among the harshest of this postseason.

According to the latest forecast from AccuWeather, Sunday night’s game is shaping up to be cold, windy, and potentially snowy along the lakefront. Temperatures at kickoff are projected to hover around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with a RealFeel temperature near minus-1, a level that tests endurance for players and fans alike.

Snow is expected to fall one to two hours before kickoff, with cloudy conditions settling in as game time approaches. Flurries could linger into the evening, but the most significant factor is expected to be the wind. Forecasts call for sustained winds between 18 and 21 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 27 mph — conditions that could significantly influence the passing and kicking games.

For Chicago, the forecast represents a potential advantage. The Bears have played in these conditions all season and are built to withstand cold-weather football, particularly in the trenches. For Los Angeles, a team accustomed to milder climates and precision timing on offense, the environment adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging road matchup.

Windy conditions could force both teams to adjust their offensive approach, placing a greater emphasis on ball security, the running game, and field position. Special teams may also play a decisive role, as gusts off Lake Michigan can turn routine kicks into unpredictable moments.

AccuWeather has urged fans attending the game to “bundle up,” with extended exposure expected to be uncomfortable even for those accustomed to Midwest winters. Soldier Field’s open design, combined with lakefront winds, often makes the stadium feel colder than the official temperature suggests.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, with the game airing nationally on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

As both teams finalize preparations, the weather looms as an equalizer — one that could tilt the balance in a tightly contested playoff showdown. In January football at Soldier Field, the elements are never just background noise. They are part of the game plan.