Football weather has finally arrived. After weeks of heat, cooler air takes over much of the country this weekend, with sweater weather in the South and a chillier feel in the Northeast. Here's the latest.

(WEATHER LABS: Football tailgate forecasts)

Sunday

We will see cooler air in the North, a taste of fall weather in the South with temperatures dipping into the 60s and colder air in the Northeast. Meanwhile, the West and Florida stay warm.

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Winter jackets are a must for Northeast tailgaters, who will see the coldest air of the weekend. Sweater weather takes over most of the country for the Sunday's matchups:

• Bears at Falcons
• Ravens at Browns
• Titans at Colts
• Jets at Patriots
• Saints at Giants
• Panthers at Eagles
• Steelers at Buccaneers
• Cardinals at Rams
• Chargers at Chiefs
• Bills at Raiders
• Cowboys at Packers

Wildfire smoke lingers from the Southern California fires ahead of the Rams game so expect hazy skies and check air quality before you head out.

(MORE: California's Santa Ana winds fuel danger)

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Rain chances are very low for Sunday's NFL tailgates. With Miami on a bye week, there's little rain or heat concern in Florida for the NFL slate.

(MORE: The ultimate tailgate playbook for every football forecast)

Tailgate safety: know your forecast, stay aware

Whether you're facing heat, cold or storms this weekend, staying aware of changing conditions — and having a plan to adjust — is the best way to stay safe at your tailgate:

• Check the forecast for your specific tailgate location and arrival time, not just the daily high, since conditions can shift significantly between morning setup and kickoff
• Heat safety: Stay hydrated, seek shade whenever possible, take breaks in air conditioning if available and know the signs of heat exhaustion — dizziness, heavy sweating, and nausea
• Storm safety: Monitor local radar in the hours before and during your tailgate, since storm timing can shift quickly
• Cold safety: Add a wind-resistant outer layer to your gameday fit.
• Lightning safety: If thunder roars, go indoors — a hard-topped vehicle counts if no building is nearby. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before heading back outside
• Secure your setup: Tents, canopies, grills and loose gear should be tied down or ready to pack up quickly if storms move in

Faiza Mohammed is a meteorologist intern at weather.com. She studied geography and worked with the Weather Dawgs team at the University of Georgia. She also received her master's in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology.