College and NFL games this weekend could see soggy conditions in the Southeast, while the heat will be scorching in the West, where Los Angeles and Las Vegas could see triple digits return. The South is also seeing a return of warmth, though milder, with temperatures in the 80s.

The Midwest and Northeast are cooling off, but rain remains an issue for the Northeast heading into Sunday. Here's what fans need to know so they are ready for the weekend.

(WEATHER LABS: Football tailgate forecasts)

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Saturday

Several top-25 matchups are set to collide across the Southeast this weekend, with many facing a chance of rain.

Matchups facing rain include:

• Alabama at Mississippi State
• Notre Dame at North Carolina
• Vanderbilt at Georgia
• Auburn at Tennessee
• Kentucky at South Carolina
• Miami at Clemson

One other match up between Memphis and Charlotte has been moved up because of expected rainy weather for Charlotte's homecoming game.

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Fans attending these tailgates should bring rain gear and be ready to adjust setups throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Iowa City will enjoy good weather for College GameDay as Iowa takes on Ohio State. In the West, USC's matchup against Washington in Los Angeles will be brutal, with temperatures expected to hit triple digits.

The South warms up into the 80s, milder than we've seen the past few games.

Sunday

Several NFL matchups will face wet conditions this weekend.

(MORE: The top 10 weather games in NFL history)

Rain will be a factor for several NFL tailgates on Sunday, especially in the Northeast, where saturated ground remains an issue after last week's nor'easter:

• Titans at Ravens
• Patriots at Bills
• Jaguars at Bengals
• Cardinals at Giants
• Rams at Eagles
• Packers at Buccaneers

Fans attending these tailgates should plan for the rain throughout the day well ahead of the games.

The Midwest and Northeast will cool off on Sunday, offering a break from recent heat, while the Southeast holds onto its warmth without reaching extremes.

In the West, Las Vegas turns into a scorcher, with San Francisco also seeing warmer-than-usual conditions.

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

Tailgate safety: know your forecast, stay aware

Whether you're facing heat 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
• 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 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.