2011 Winter Classic Weather Report: 80% chance of rain on Saturday

With the NHL Winter Classic just two days away, we can now look at the weather forecast from a more serious standpoint than from earlier in the week.

The two biggest concerns for officials is direct sunlight on the ice for a significant period of time and heavy down pours of rain.

Yesterday, there was a 3-to-4 hour period of direct sunlight on the ice and the ice was characterized as "soft" and not ready to be skated on.

Today, the weather is somewhat nasty in Pittsburgh. There is freezing rain (be careful on the roads) and forecasts are calling for 42 degree temperatures (AM Ice) with 30 percent precipitation and a low of 39 degrees, according to weather.com

However, for tomorrow, things are looking optimistic for the Alumni game to be played and the Penguins and Capitals to practice.

Friday is calling for temperatures of 50 degrees with cloudy skies and only 20 percent of precipitation. A low of 44.

Saturday is where the weather is looking worse than it did a few days ago.