United States – As the final hours of 2025 approach, weather conditions across the country will play a major role in New Year’s Eve travel plans and celebrations. From snow-covered roads in the Midwest and Northeast to renewed rain and flooding concerns in California, conditions will vary widely as the clock ticks toward 2026.
New Year’s Eve Day: Travel Disruptions Possible
New Year’s Eve daytime will be an important window for travelers heading to family gatherings or city celebrations. Forecasters are tracking two main weather trouble spots.
First, light to moderate snow is expected to spread from the Midwest into parts of the interior Northeast. Snow-covered and slippery roads could impact travel from Minnesota through the Great Lakes region and into western Pennsylvania, as well as western, central, and upstate New York.
Second, rain will intensify again in California, stretching from Southern California, including the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego, northward into Northern California and the Sierra foothills. While rainfall is not expected to be as intense as the Christmas storm, pockets of locally heavy rain could still trigger flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
Temperatures during the day will remain well above average across the Rockies and much of the Plains, including cities such as Dallas and Denver. In contrast, colder air will linger across the Midwest and Northeast.
New Year’s Eve Night: Cold Countdown to Midnight
As celebrations begin and midnight approaches, winter weather will remain a factor for many regions.
Snow will continue moving through the Northeast, especially across the Appalachians and the Great Lakes snowbelts. A few flakes could even reach southern New England and parts of the New York City tri-state area, creating the potential for slick roads for those heading home late at night.
For those attending the iconic ball drop in New York City, temperatures near Times Square are expected to hover around 30 degrees, making warm layers essential.
The cold will be even more intense in the upper Midwest, where temperatures in the Twin Cities may flirt with 0 degrees as 2026 begins.
Meanwhile, California faces another wet holiday. Locally heavy rain, particularly in Southern California, may lead to flash flooding and an increased risk of rock and landslides. Rain will also spread into the Desert Southwest, potentially soaking celebrations in Las Vegas and Phoenix.
New Year’s Day: What 2026 Starts With
As the calendar turns, colder conditions will persist in the Northeast and Great Lakes, with only scattered areas of snow mainly near the northern and eastern Great Lakes.
The South is expected to enjoy pleasant and warmer-than-average weather for much of New Year’s Day.
However, unsettled conditions will continue across much of the Southwest, Great Basin, California, and Oregon. Periods of rain are forecast to linger, and the threat of locally heavy rainfall remains a concern in parts of California as the new year gets underway.
Wherever New Year’s Eve is spent, travelers and celebrants are urged to stay weather-aware and plan accordingly for a safe transition from 2025 into 2026.
