Two of America's most iconic New Year celebrations are set to be disrupted by severe weather, with the Rose Parade in California facing a rare soaking and New York City revellers bracing for bitter cold.
Parade in Pasadena Prepares for a Drenching
Marching bands, elaborate floats, and thousands of spectators are preparing for an unusually wet Rose Parade in Pasadena, Southern California. Forecasts have worsened throughout the week, predicting rain and even possible thunder for the prestigious event on Thursday, 1 January. This threatens to end a remarkable 20-year dry streak for the parade.
"It's looking like a wet one," stated AccuWeather meteorologist John Feerick. He warned that while it may not rain continuously, "there could be some pretty good downpours" and that "a rumble of thunder or two is not out of the question."
Organisers are making minimal adjustments. Candy Carlson, communications director for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, confirmed that convertibles carrying grand marshal Earvin "Magic" Johnson and other VIPs would have their tops up. The two-hour spectacle begins at 8 a.m. and is watched by hundreds of thousands in person and millions more on television.
Times Square Braces for Biting Cold
Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, a different weather challenge awaits. New York City's famous midnight ball drop in Times Square could experience its chilliest conditions in nearly a decade. Forecasters predict temperatures in the low 30s Fahrenheit (around 0°C) with snow flurries for the hundreds of thousands gathered on New Year's Eve.
AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrell indicated the midnight temperature might be "the coldest since the cusp of 2017 and 2018." This means hats and gloves will be as essential as noisemakers for those celebrating outdoors.
Nationwide New Year's Forecast
The unsettled weather extends to other major celebrations across the United States:
- Las Vegas: Rain is possible as casinos plan rooftop firework displays.
- Nashville: Temperatures will be in the low 30s for the city's Big Bash, where an illuminated music note drops at midnight.
- New Orleans: Milder conditions in the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 7°C) are expected for a free concert and fireworks along the Mississippi River.
For the dedicated spectators who began securing spots along Pasadena's nearly 6-mile (10-kilometre) route on Wednesday, predictions of overnight rain promised a miserable and damp wait. Despite the forecasts, the show is set to go on for both coast-to-coast traditions, testing the resilience of celebrants ringing in the new year.
