Not even a thunderstorm could stop the New Year’s Eve partiers in Times Square from waiting out the ball drop.
On Tuesday, Dec. 31, thousands of people packed Times Square in New York City to send off 2024 and ring in the New Year. However, this year’s festivities have proven to be a wet affair.
Earlier in the day, meteorologists predicted a rainy New Year’s Eve, and their forecasts proved to be correct as rain poured down on attendees. Thunder could even be heard on broadcasts of the festivities, including CNN’s New Year’s Eve with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen and ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
According to CBS News New York, an estimated 1 million people have packed into Times Square, and they’re not letting the weather get them down — even though no umbrellas were allowed into the festivities. The local channel’s meteorologist, Vanessa Murdock, gave an update around 10:00 p.m. local time noting that New York City was experiencing lightning, wind and heavy rain with chilly 45-degree weather.
Despite the rain, the party has continued with performances from the Jonas Brothers, Megan Moroney and TLC, who performed their ’90s classics “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs.”
Meanwhile, social media users watching from home couldn’t resist commenting on the rainy event.
“Merry New Year everyone!” one person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “I’m going to bed early just as the thunder, lightning and rain is starting…..hope the people in Times Square brought their rain ponchos.”
Another person added, “It’s pouring down rain in Times Square? 2024 is going out like a lion.”
