Rain is on the Way for the Rose Parade for the First Time in Years

For the first time in 20 years, rain is predicted for the Rose Parade, set to take place on January 1. Traditionally held under clear blue skies during Southern California’s mid-winter heatwave, the parade has only experienced rain on 10 occasions in its 136-year history.

Forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate that windy conditions will shift to rain beginning mid-week. Up to three inches of rain are anticipated in coastal and valley areas by the end of the week, while mountainous regions could see between two to five inches. This comes after recent storms deposited five to ten inches in various parts of the Southland.

If predictions hold true, it will mark the first rain during the Rose Parade since 2006. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, especially given the saturated ground conditions in areas like Pasadena, which raise concerns about mud and debris flows.

Parade officials are gearing up for the expected deluge, with nearly all City of Pasadena employees scheduled to work on New Year’s Day. Preparations include having tow trucks on standby to assist any floats that may break down, a notable concern as floats from Burbank, Sierra Madre, Disney, and Trader Joe’s encountered issues in 2006.

Last year, approximately 800,000 spectators lined the streets for the event. Officials have reminded attendees that umbrellas are not permitted along the parade route to ensure unobstructed views.

Road closures will be in effect, as communicated by Pasadena Transit. On New Year’s Eve, several routes, including 10, 20, 33, 40, 51/52, and 53, will be detoured beginning at 6 PM until service ends at 8 PM to avoid Old Pasadena. Route 51/52 will detour all day to avoid the Rose Bowl area, while Route 33 will detour from 6 AM to 3:30 PM on New Year’s Day.

The Weather Channel reports a 77% chance of rain on New Year’s Eve and a staggering 98% on New Year’s Day, indicating a strong likelihood of a wet Rose Parade. NWS forecasters emphasized that attendees should prepare for inclement weather, noting, “The chances of a wet New Year’s parade, and including the night before when people came out before the parade, are extremely high.”

The parade will be broadcast live locally on KTLA, with Leeza Gibbons and Mark Steines returning as co-hosts, alongside KTLA 5 Morning News anchor Chris Schauble reporting from the parade route. Live coverage is set to start at 6 a.m. PT.

This year’s grand marshal is Magic Johnson. The parade will also be available for streaming on eight platforms, including Christmas Plus, Dooya, and ESPN, and will feature all 85 floats along the five-and-a-half-mile route.

Following the parade, the 112th Rose Bowl game will feature the No. 1 seed Indiana University Hoosiers (13-0) against the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3), scheduled to be broadcast at 1 p.m. PT on ESPN.