Mummers Parade to carry on despite frigid weather in Philadelphia

Heavy winter attire will be a must for spectators and participants of the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018.

New Year's Day 2018 will be one of the coldest on record for Philadelphia.

A frigid, biting wind is in store for Philadelphia on New Year’s Day, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Smerbeck.

Although the air temperature is forecast to be in the lower teens at the start of the parade, winds averaging 10-20 mph, with locally higher gusts, will whip through the city streets and create dangerously low AccuWeather RealFeel&reg Temperatures below zero F.

Temperatures will peak in the lower 20s in the afternoon. The last time it was this cold in the city on New Year’s Day was in 1918 when the high temperature was only 16.

A mostly sunny sky will do little to negate the effect of the Arctic air.

After deliberations of postponing the parade due to the frigid conditions, city officials announced that the parade will go on according to planned.

Heat tents and warm buses will line the route for parade participants.

An alternate date, Saturday, Jan. 6, was been proposed. However, temperatures may be every bit as low and winds as brisk as New Year's Day.

Parade participants voiced concerns for young and elderly marchers, as well as musical instruments that can become difficult to play in harsh cold.

The event has been canceled twice and postponed 22 times since its inauguration in 1901, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The most recent postponements were in 2003 and 2007 due to rain.

The parade’s origins date back to the late 17th century when early settlers brought Old World New Year’s traditions to Philadelphia.

The Mummers Parade became officially recognized on Jan. 1, 1901, after starting as unorganized neighborhood celebrations throughout the city. The parade’s name originates from the term “Mummer” which refers to an actor or someone who masquerades.

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