Post by : Meena Ariff

The year 2026 began with striking weather extremes across the United States, as heavy rain poured over Southern California’s iconic New Year’s Day celebrations while snow, strong winds, and freezing temperatures disrupted events in other regions.

In Pasadena, steady rainfall drenched the famous Rose Parade, marking the first time in nearly 20 years that the event experienced significant rain. Marching bands, floral floats, and thousands of spectators along the nearly six-mile parade route were soaked as one to two inches of rain fell throughout the morning. Temperatures hovered around 58°F (14°C) when the parade began at 8 a.m.

Despite the wet conditions, the parade went on largely as scheduled. Organizers made limited adjustments, including covering open-top vehicles carrying dignitaries and guests. Large crowds still turned out in person, while millions more watched the event on television.

Weather officials issued flood watches across California, along with coastal flood advisories for parts of the Pacific coastline. In areas already weakened by last year’s destructive wildfires near Los Angeles, residents were placed under evacuation warnings due to the risk of flooding and debris flows caused by the heavy rainfall.

On the East Coast, New Year celebrations unfolded under sharply colder conditions. In New York City, temperatures hovered near freezing, making this one of the coldest New Year’s starts in nearly a decade. Revelers attending outdoor celebrations bundled up against the cold as winter weather dominated the region.

Meanwhile, parts of the Midwest and Northeast were hit by an Alberta clipper storm followed by an Arctic front. Snow squalls, gusty winds, and rapidly changing conditions affected states including Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and New England, creating difficult travel conditions.

Air travel was also impacted as weather-related delays mounted. Roughly one-quarter of flights departing from major airports in San Diego and Boston were delayed, adding to the challenges faced by travelers heading into the new year.

From rain-soaked parades in California to freezing temperatures and snow across the Midwest and Northeast, extreme weather set a dramatic tone for the first day of 2026 across the United States.