Pasadena, Calif. – From soaked roses to a soggy football field, New Year’s Day in Pasadena could look very different this year. Rain is expected to return to Southern California just in time for the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl, a rare scenario for a region better known for sunshine than umbrellas on January 1.
After a powerful system drenched much of California during Christmas week, the state has enjoyed a short-lived break. Forecasters say that pause will end as another round of rain pushes into Southern California on Wednesday and lingers into Thursday morning.
Rainy Start Likely for the Rose Parade
The incoming storm is expected to be active during the early hours of New Year’s Day, with off-and-on showers likely around the time the Rose Parade steps off at 8 a.m. PST. Forecasters are not ruling out isolated rumbles of thunder, an uncommon addition to the iconic event.
Spectators lining the 5.5-mile parade route along Colorado Boulevard are being advised to prepare for wet conditions. Ponchos, rain jackets, and waterproof footwear may be essential as showers could persist through much of the morning.
Rain on parade day is a rarity in Southern California, making this year’s forecast especially notable.
Wet Conditions Could Linger Into the Rose Bowl Game
The unsettled weather pattern may extend beyond the parade, potentially affecting tailgates and pre-game festivities at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Alabama and Indiana are set to face off in a College Football Playoff matchup, with a berth in the national semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 on the line.
The game’s 4 p.m. kickoff is traditionally timed to showcase a dramatic sunset behind the San Gabriel Mountains near the end of the third quarter. This year, however, that iconic moment could be replaced by thick cloud cover instead of golden light.
Showers are expected to gradually taper by the afternoon, but lingering moisture could still leave the field and stands damp.
Flooding Concerns After Weeks of Heavy Rain
The Weather Prediction Center has placed parts of Southern California under a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall for Thursday. While most locations may see only one to two inches of additional rain, the ground is already saturated from recent storms.
Forecasters warn that even modest rainfall could trigger flash flooding, especially near burn scars, steep hillsides, and vulnerable terrain. There is also concern about additional mudslides in areas that have already been weakened by prior storms.
A brief lull in storm activity is expected later Thursday into Friday, offering some relief for residents and travelers heading home after the holiday.
Rain at the Rose Bowl: A Rare Historical Footnote
If rain does fall on New Year’s Day, it would be the first time since 2006 that the Rose Parade has been impacted by wet weather. That year, steady rain soaked floats and spectators, though conditions improved before kickoff and spared the Rose Bowl game itself.
This year’s forecast suggests showers could linger longer, increasing the chances of rain during the football game as well.
The most infamous rainy Rose Bowl occurred in 1955, when Ohio State faced USC in a historic downpour. Rain turned the field into what was described as a “sea of mud,” with temperatures hovering in the 50s as fans endured cold, soaked conditions. Ohio State ultimately defeated the Trojans 20–7.
Whether 2026 adds another rainy chapter to Rose Bowl history remains to be seen, but weather could once again play a role in one of college football’s most storied matchups.
