A Look Back to the Weather on the First NYC Ball Drop 110 Years Ago

news image
Special Stories
3 Jan 2018 2:07 PM
From NOAA NCEI For over a century, people across the globe have traveled to the heart of New York City on December 31 to watch a magnificent illuminated ball drop as they ring in the New Year. December 31, 1907, marked the very first ball drop in Times Square at the intersection of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. A similar ball drop at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England—which originally helped ship captains synchronize their chronometers—inspired the Times Square ritual. The ball served as a replacement for the fireworks set off in celebrations of previous years. Covered in 100 25-watt light bulbs, the ball was made of wood and iron, was five feet in diameter, and weighed in at 700 pounds—a mere fraction of the current 12-foot, 11,875-pound ball that will ring in the new year in Times Square. Despite its small size in comparison to today’s ball, it took a team of six men to place the ball on a flagpole atop the One Times Square building, where it made its debut descent. Luckily for the spectators who crowded into the Square, December 31, 1907, turned out to be rather nice weather-wise. Despite starting out cloudy, skies cleared in New York City by the afternoon. The day saw a high temperature of 44°F and a low of 35°F, which was relatively warm compared to the current normal high of 40°F and low of 28°F for December 31. No rain or snow was recorded that day. But as the ball lowered at midnight, spectators were definitely in need of their winter coats as the 35°F temperature felt quite cool due to 20-mph west winds. Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Moisture is moving back into the Central and

10 Jul 2025 10:45 PM
Medium Range Tropics Forecast Favors Gulf, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

Medium Range Tropics Forecast Favors Gulf, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

While the Atlantic appears quiet, conditions

10 Jul 2025 10:40 PM
Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across the East Coast

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across the East Coast

The severe weather and flood threat continues

10 Jul 2025 10:30 PM
Rounds of Severe Storms to Impact Great Plains and Midwest Through the Weekend

Rounds of Severe Storms to Impact Great Plains and Midwest Through the Weekend

A dynamic summer weather pattern is setting t

10 Jul 2025 10:25 PM
Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

TEXAS - Catastrophic flooding devastated port

10 Jul 2025 10:00 AM
Ruidoso Flash Flooding - Record Crest for the Rio Ruidoso River

Ruidoso Flash Flooding - Record Crest for the Rio Ruidoso River

A slow-moving monsoonal thunderstorm develope

10 Jul 2025 1:55 AM
Dangerous Heat Building Out West

Dangerous Heat Building Out West

WEST - Heat alerts have been issued across th

9 Jul 2025 9:00 AM