The forecast? Hazy, hot and homers.

Sports and weather are as linked as thunder and lightning (but not the Thunder and Lightning).

Yes, the elements are as present in sports as tailgates and outrageous ticket prices. The Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Sky, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are but some of the franchises influenced by the weather. But that’s just the beginning.

We’re only a few minor spelling changes away from the Minnesota Mild being in the NHL, Muggy Bogues having roamed NBA courts, “drizzle” being “dribble,” Chili Davis being Chilly Davis and “wind” being a “win.”

George Gervin was "The Iceman," Rubin Carter was the "Hurricane" and Robert James "Bob"/"Gino" Marella was better known in wrestling circles as Gorilla Monsoon.

In sports and meteorology, no one likes a drought. Waves can wreak havoc in the water and were an omnipresent trend in stadiums in the ‘80s, not to mention the name of Pepperdine’s teams.

Athletes warm up, get hot and then cool off. There’s no rainy snow involved, but a Hail Mary could win a game, while all the teams in a league are out to knock off the “raining” champions, who’ve no doubt collected more than their share of fair weather fans, which is what people plug in to keep comfortable in the dog days of (Cleveland) Indian summer.

Steroids left a black cloud over baseball. Pitchers who are taken out of a game hit the showers, which is what meteorologists warn in their forecast could hit.

You may experience a not-so-tropical depression after your team loses, while football teams need a strong (cold) front seven. Most sports revolve around the concept of the (dew) point, while teams build their rosters through a draft. You must also beware of the (New York or Winnipeg) Jet stream.

And it’s no accident that basketball postgames and nightly weather reports feature highs for points and temperatures, while a missed shot won’t be confused with a mist shot.

From dust devils to New Jersey Devils, high tide to Roll Tide, the greenhouse to the clubhouse and the ozone to the end zone, meteorology has left its mark like ice in Green Bay come the playoffs.

These are the best weather names in sports.

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