Well, it's almost time to say goodbye to 2025 (andits weather), as New Year's Eve is approaching. Here's what the weather will be up to as the ball drops across the country.
New Year's Eve (Night)
I know what you probably care most about is the weather at 12 a.m. on New Year's Day, the moment 2025 becomes 2026.
Lake-effect snow is still hanging on in the Great Lakes, so anyone planning outdoor festivities or travel should take extra care when planning their evenings. A cold front is also going to push through the Northeast with the threat of snow squalls, but on the bright side, New York City could have a few snowflakes falling as the ball drops.
Speaking of the Big Apple, if you're going to be in New York City for the big New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, you're going to need to be bundled up, because it'll be hovering right around 30 degrees and breezy as that time-honored tradition takes place.
It will also be quite cold in the upper Midwest, with temperatures flirting with 0 degrees in the Twin Cities as 2026 arrives.
Unfortunately, another holiday will be soaked in California. Locally heavy rain, especially in Southern California, could lead to at least local flash flooding and possibly more rock/landslides. Rain will also spread into the Desert Southwest, potentially soaking 2026's arrival in both Las Vegas and Phoenix.
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New Year's Day
Hello, 2026! What will Mother Nature have in store for us?
It will be cold and breezy in the Northeast and Great Lakes, with only a few patchy areas of snow in the northern and eastern Great Lakes. A heavy lake-effect snowband off Lake Ontario may continue to pound parts of upstate New York north of Syracuse.
The South will have pleasant weather and warmer than average temperatures, for the most part, after a chilly morning.
Rain and high mountain snow will continue to soak much of the Southwest, Great Basin, California and Oregon. Scattered storms and locally heavy rain looks likely across Southern California early Thursday morning. The Storm Prediction Center has introduced a marginal severe risk for Southern California, which includes a low-end tornado threat for Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Anaheim and Pasadena. The Rose Parade, which begins at 8 a.m. PT in Pasadena, looks wet and potentially stormy.
(MORE:The Rose Parade Could Be Wet For The First Time In 20 Years)
Wherever you'll be spending your New Year's Eve, we hope you have a safe and festive end to 2025!
Sara Tonksis a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor's and a master's degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences along with a master's degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.
