(Photo by photos.com)

The weather for this year’s National Hockey League Winter Classic in Philadelphia will depend on the speed of a front bringing rare cold air.

The New York Rangers will be taking on the Philadelphia Flyers in their backyard at the 1:00 p.m. EST, Jan. 2, 2012, event.

The weather has been far from kind thus far for outdoor winter season sporting events in much of the East. Philadelphia and New York City have been no exception.

Temperatures have averaged about 5.5 degrees above normal for December in Philadelphia and has included nearly half a dozen days with highs in the 60s.

It has also been a wet year in much of the Northeast. Philadelphia has had their wettest year on record. (New York City has had their second wettest year on record.)

However, in the wake of the freak snowstorm during Halloween weekend in the Northeast, snow has been scarce.

While most interests heading to the Winter Classic in South Philly on Jan. 2 could do without the snow, the last thing anyone wants is a rainstorm like earlier this week and/or 60-degree temperatures.

Well, there may be some good news in the temperature and rainfall department.

In this early stage, it appears a cold front will have swept off the Atlantic coast during the first evening of the new year, paving the way for dry weather and more seasonable temperatures in the region.

The forecast high temperature for Monday is close to the normal mark of 40 degrees.

As long as the timing of the front is correct, and it is not slower than we now believe, the game should be played under at least partial sunshine.

However, it could be quite blustery in the wake of the front for fans and players. Dry, cold, gusty winds may be swirling around Citizens Bank Park. AccuWeather.com Real Feel® temperatures may dip into the 20s. Sun glare could be an issue for the players.

The RealFeel temperature does not have an effect on mechanical objects such as ice rinks. However, evaporative cooling with the wind and dry air combined with mechanical refrigeration would be a plus for maintaining the ice on the day of the main event.

According to Ryan Hughes, CEO of North American Rink Management, “An air temperature near 40 degrees with very low humidity is actually ideal.”

“Sometimes when really cold weather hits outdoor rinks, the ice gets ‘chippy’,” Hughes said.

Only if that front is slower would temperatures be higher and would there be some rain around the area.

AccuWeather.com meteorologists are expecting 50-degree temperatures during the New Year’s weekend in Philadelphia. There is also the potential for a few rain showers as the front moves through during New Year’s Day.

Hughes stated that new ice needs to be seasoned by skating on it to work out the bubbles.

There are other events scheduled at the rink at Citizens Bank Park prior to the Winter Classic.

Despite the warmth during the few days prior to the main event, temperatures will be near freezing during most nights.

“Refrigeration should handle most issues,” Hughes added.

Regardless of the weather conditions on Jan. 2, 2012, in Philadelphia, the Winter Classic is intended to be a tribute to the roots of the game that was always played in the elements.