Weather Trends: Clear-Sky Cities for July 4th
Filed Under:
Weather
You’ve suited up in your red-white-and-blues, bought enough glow sticks to make an impressive assortment of luminescent jewelry, packed a picnic (complete with American flag paper plates and napkins, of course) and loaded up the car with blankets and folding chairs. What’s the last thing you need on Independence Day?Rain.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Travel Channel has teamed up with the long-term forecasting experts at weathertrends360 to bring you the best (and worst) places around the country to watch the fireworks. We’ve crosschecked lists of the best fireworks displays with weathertrends360’s expert predictions -- here are the winners:
Thinkstock
Denver/Aurora, CO: Light Up the Night
The Denver area’s largest fireworks display is held each year in Aurora, CO, and the Light Up the Night celebration tops our list for the best place to see the fireworks. The 4th of July spectacular is complete with live music, and there will be food and drinks for sale. The show starts at 9:30 p.m.
Thinkstock
Phoenix: Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix 4th
This year’s Fabulous Phoenix 4th is on track to be the city’s largest fireworks display ever. Starting at 6 p.m., families can enjoy the 3 stages of live music, inflatable rides, a classic car exhibit and an F-16 flyover. The fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Thinkstock
Addison, TX: Kaboom Town!
Located about 25 minutes from Dallas, Addison, TX, has consistently been rated one of the best places in America to watch the fireworks. The show is choreographed to music, and Kaboom Town! guests can also get front-row seats to the Addison Airport Show.
Ashleigh Nushawg, flickr
San Francisco: Fisherman’s Wharf Extravaganza
Starting at 4 p.m., San Francisco residents and visitors can enjoy free live music at Aquatic Park. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Tanya Zagumenov, flickr
Seattle: Family Fourth at Lake Union
A 20-year-old tradition, the Family Fourth at Lake Union is undoubtedly one of America’s best Independence Day fireworks displays. Watch the synchronized bursts light up the night at Gas Works Park -- the weather will be perfect!Worst
You can’t have perfectly clear skies everywhere. Below are weathertrends360’s picks for the biggest and most popular fireworks displays -- with the highest risk for bad weather.
Thinkstock
New York City: Macy’s Firework Spectacular
The 4th, 5th and 6th of July are all predicted to be rainy days in the Big Apple. New Yorkers (and New Jerseyans) may want to consider other plans.
Disney
Orlando, FL: Disney World 4th Celebration
If we were in a Disney movie, there’d be a perfectly clear sky as the fireworks lit up Cinderella Castle. Unfortunately, Orlando’s forecast for July 4th calls for scattered thunderstorms.
Thinkstock
Philadelphia: Sunoco Welcome America
It looks like rain for Philly’s Welcome America celebration, too. Luckily, there are plenty of other celebratory events besides just the fireworks in the city -- so put on your poncho and get ready to party.
Joel Mann, flickr
Atlanta: Fantastic Fourth Celebration
This 45-year-old Atlanta tradition might be interrupted by scattered thunderstorms, but luckily the show is held on July 3 as well, and the forecast looks good!
David Ohmer, flickr
New Orleans: Go 4th on the River
This annual fireworks display, held on “dueling barges” on the Mississippi River, also could be derailed by thunderstorms on July 4th. Hopefully the weather holds out, because the show is ranked one of the top 5 “must-see” displays by the American Pyrotechnic Association.