Don't You DARE Rain on My Gay Pride Parade - A Look Back at Gay Pride Weather

 

 

Besides memories of the fancy floats, banners, outrageous outfits and bare chested hotties (and let's not forget Dykes on Bikes!), many participants and spectators also remember what the weather was like when reminiscing about the Gay Pride Parade.  Happily, precipitation is not usually part of many memories since it's rained just nine times in the parade's 54 years (the last time was in 2021).

 

 

 

Combining my interests in meteorology and gay pop culture I was curious whether Mother Nature has been friend or foe vis-a-vis weather conditions during New York's Gay Pride Day Parade - and what we might expect this year.  What I discovered is that since the first parade in 1970 the weather, for the most part, has been pretty fabulous.  As I previously mentioned, rain has fallen just nine times and 90-degree temperatures have occurred in eight years (including 2020 and 2021).

 

 

Interestingly, the first full day of the Stonewall riots, in June 1969, was scorching hot, in the mid-90s - no subsequent Gay Pride Day has been hotter.  But whether you’re participating or watching, cooler is better.  The average temperature over the years has been 82°, which is seasonable for late June.  However, it’s ranged from the mid-60s to low 90s. 

 

So what are some highlights?  In 1972 the morning of the parade was soaked by the remnants of hurricane Agnes as it moved through the City.  However, the most rain to fall on parade day was in 1984, when nearly an inch-and-a-half poured down.  Thankfully, it didn’t begin until 4 PM, so much of the parade had been completed, but the evening street festival was a washout.  Meanwhile, the parade of 2008 had a very tropical feel to it as it was not only very warm (upper 80s), but a number of downpours interrupted the parade. 

 

 

In 1972, 1979, and 1996 the afternoon temperatures got no higher than the mid-60s.  The hottest temperature occurred in 2005 when the mercury reached 92°.  The last 90-degree reading was in 2021. 

 

And of course there are always quite a few fellows at the parade strutting around who look hot regardless of weather conditions - whether they're glistening with sweat, soaked with rain, or shielded behind sunglasses.

 

 

If you're interested in reading about the weather conditions on the day of the parade for every year, you can find it on my weather blog at New York City Weather Archive.