New Year’s Eve Along Parade Route Predicted to Fall to 34 Degrees

Although New Year’s Day will be clear and sunny with a high near 56, Friday night temperatures along the Rose Parade route in Pasadena are expected to fall to just above freezing, according to the National Weather Service.

City officials on Tuesday offered advice to parade-goers on coping with the chilly temperatures.

“Dress in layers — wear a beanie to keep head warm and gloves for hands,” advised city spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

Derderian also said overnight campers should use only approved professionally manufactured warming fires and be certain to never position fires too close to sleeping bags, makeshift cots, etc.

Avoid alcohol, it dehydrates and is illegal in this setting, she said.

Derderian said New Year’s Eve will be cold by Southern California standards.

“Be prepared because it can lead to medical issues especially in younger children and older adults,” she advised.

When exposed to cold temperatures, the human body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up a person’s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.

A body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and will not be able to do anything about it.

Onset symptoms include

• Shivering

• Fatigue

• Loss of coordination

• Confusion and disorientation

Meanwhile, with wind-chill temperatures expected to fall below freezing in the coming days, the Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a Cold Weather Alert for the San Gabriel Valley from Tuesday through Wednesday.