In brief
For the first time in two decades, rain poured on the iconic Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, overshadowing New Year's celebrations as severe weather impacted various regions of the U.S. Evacuations were ordered in areas affected by last year's wildfires, while the Northeast faced significant snow squalls. Despite the conditions, thousands attended the Rose Parade, with adjustments made to protect VIPs from the rain.
Rains poured down on the iconic Rose Parade on Thursday for the first time in 20 years, while Southern California faced evacuation orders alongside flood warnings. Across the U.S., the Northeast experienced snow squalls marking a tumultuous start to 2026.
As marching bands, floats, and spectators faced one to two inches of rain (2.5 to 5 centimeters) at the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena, temperatures dipped to a chilly 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14.4 degrees Celsius) at the parade's 8 a.m. start.
Despite the weather, hundreds of thousands gathered along the nearly six-mile (10-kilometer) route, with millions more tuning in on national television. Organizers had to make minor adjustments, such as raising the tops of convertibles that carried grand marshal Earvin “Magic” Johnson and other VIPs from the rain.
Weather reports had predicted the rain for days, with the National Weather Service issuing a flood watch for all California counties and a coastal flood advisory along much of the Pacific Coast through Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, residents in areas hardest hit by last year's devastating wildfires were under evacuation warnings.
In stark contrast, the sun emerged in New York City before Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inaugural celebration; however, the Northeast faced conditions from snow squalls to high winds brought by an Alberta clipper storm. Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and Michigan were especially affected, reporting delays for nearly a quarter of flights from San Diego International Airport and Boston Logan.
