> At a Glance
> – The 137th Rose Parade may finally see rain after a 20-year dry streak.
> – New York’s ball drop could hit its coldest temperatures since 2017-18.
> – Other cities face snow, rain, and mild warmth.
> – Why it matters: Weather could change how millions celebrate and affect travel plans.
The 2024 New Year’s celebrations across the U.S. face a wet and cold turn, with Pasadena’s iconic parade and New York’s midnight drop both at risk of weather-related disruptions.
Rose Parade Weather
The 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena is expected to receive rain, a rare event after two decades of dry conditions.
AccuWeather meteorologist John Feerick stated:
> “It’s looking like a wet one… It may not be raining the whole time. There could be some pretty good downpours. A rumble of thunder or two is not out of the question.”
Candy Carlson, communications director for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, added:
> “The tops will be up on convertibles carrying grand marshal Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson and other VIPs.”
- Parade starts at 8 a.m. Thursday
- Route is nearly 6 miles long
- Convertibles will carry the grand marshal and VIPs
New York Ball Drop
New York City’s Times Square ball drop is forecast to drop into the low 30s, with snow flurries and the coldest midnight temperature since 2017-18.
AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrell warned:
> “The midnight temperature in New York could be ‘the coldest since the cusp of 2017 and 2018’.”
- Midnight drop expected in low 30s °F (≈0 °C)
- Snow flurries likely
- Hundreds of thousands will watch on TV
Other Cities
Las Vegas may see rain, Nashville’s Big Bash will have low 30s, and New Orleans will enjoy mid-40s for a free concert and fireworks.
| City | Weather | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | Possible rain | – |
| Nashville | Low 30s | – |
| New Orleans | Mid-40s | – |
Key Takeaways
- Pasadena’s parade could break a 20-year dry streak with rain and thunder.
- New York’s ball drop may be the coldest since 2017-18.
- Other major cities face a mix of rain, snow, and mild temperatures.
The weather forecast adds an extra layer of anticipation to the nation’s New Year’s celebrations, urging spectators to plan for wet and cold conditions.
