126th Rose Parade could be coldest ever

Thanks to an icy storm blowing in, Rose Parade campers may have to endure cold never before seen in the parade’s 125-year history, according to the National Weather Service.

The record low for the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena was 32 degrees in 1952. But that low could be surpassed Wednesday night, the NWS says.

The cold heading south from Canada is expected to shroud Southern California overnight Wednesday in freezing rain and snow to elevations as low as 2,000 feet.

The imminent storm even has L.A. County health officials warning residents to exercise extra precaution.

The L.A. County Public Health Department issued the warning for the San Gabriel, San Fernando, Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys as well as the Mt. Wilson area.

“Children, the elderly and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during such cold snaps. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, Los Angeles County’s interim health officer, said in a statement. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

The National Weather Service advised parade fans camping out along Colorado Boulevard to wear layers of clothing as temperatures are set to fall to 35 degrees throughout the region.

The latest cold front from Canada is expected to drop up to a foot of new snow on the eastern San Gabriel Mountains. Although the snow will peter out by Wednesday afternoon, the chilly temperatures will stick around, bringing overnight lows in the upper 20s and 30s for most of the region.

The Antelope Valley and mountain communities will experience much colder lows as temperatures drop into the single digits and teens.

Icy roadways and blowing snow from gusty winds could affect driving on Interstate 5 through the Grapevine, Highways 14 and 138 in Los Angeles County and Highway 33 in Ventura County.

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