Two iconic celebrations to ring in the New Year — the Rose Parade in Southern California and the midnight ball drop in New York City — are in for some rough weather.
Marching bands, floats, and throngs of spectators are bracing for a rare dose of New Year’s Day rain and possible thunderstorms at the Rose Parade in Pasadena. In New York City, attendees will need hats and gloves for what could be the coldest ball drop in many years, with temperatures predicted to be in the low 30s Fahrenheit (around zero degrees Celsius) amid snow flurries.
Rain forecasts for the 137th Rose Parade have been worsening all week, signaling a contrast to the typically dry conditions seen for the past two decades. According to AccuWeather meteorologist John Feerick, “It’s looking like a wet one,” suggesting that while it may not rain throughout, significant downpours and even rumbles of thunder are possible.
Attendees were expected to secure spots along the nearly 6-mile route in Pasadena early Wednesday morning. The parade, kicking off at 8 a.m. Thursday, usually attracts hundreds of thousands of in-person visitors, alongside millions more watching on television.
Despite the challenging weather, organizers are only making minor adjustments to the event. Candy Carlson, the communications director for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, noted that VIPs including grand marshal Earvin “Magic” Johnson will still be present in open convertibles, come rain or shine.
Meanwhile, New Yorkers can expect a night filled with frigid temperatures, potentially marking the coldest New Year’s Eve since 2017. With snow flurries expected during the ball drop, this year’s countdown promises to be uniquely memorable.
Elsewhere, additional challenges await with rain forecasted for Las Vegas, while Nashville’s Big Bash is set to feature colder conditions when an illuminated music note drops at midnight. New Orleans also prepares for lower temperatures during its festivities along the Mississippi River.
