Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Fireworks to Dazzle Viewers in These Top 10 July Fourth Weekend Destinations

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
June 30,2015; 11:51PM,EDT
 
As Americans around the country prepare to celebrate our nation's independence this Saturday, a close eye will be kept on the weather to determine if they will be able to enjoy a dazzling display of fireworks.
Below are the top 10 Fourth of July weekend destinations for 2015 as compiled by Priceline.com, which ranked each location by the total number of advanced hotel bookings for the holiday.
For visitors and local residents planning to celebrate July Fourth in any of these locations, here are some of the biggest fireworks extravaganzas in each city and the forecast.
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1. Chicago
Fireworks explode over Lake Michigan Sunday, July 4, 2010, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Chicago's Navy Pier is one of the top tourist destinations in the city and provides a great setting for the July Fourth fireworks. Spectators can watch the show from the pier or take an evening cruse out on Lake Michigan for a different perspective. Prior to the fireworks, which are scheduled for 9:30 p.m., spectators can take part in the second annual Freedom Fest.
Chicago is also home to two Major League Baseball teams and both the White Sox and Cubs will be home this weekend, giving baseball fans several options to choose from. The White Sox host the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field at 1:10 p.m. CDT, while the Cubs will welcome the Miami Marlins at 6:15 p.m. CDT at historic Wrigley Field. For fans that can't make it to Navy Pier, following the Cubs game, there will be a fireworks show.
AccuWeather Meteorologist John Feerick said to expect temperatures a little bit below average for the holiday with sunny skies and low humidity. Daytime highs are forecast to settle into the upper 70s; a common high temperature for July 4 is 84 F.
Dry weather is expected for outdoor plans, he said.
2. Las Vegas
Light from Independence Day weekend fireworks is reflected in the water in front of the Bellagio Hotel as they explode over Caesar's Palace on The Strip, Sunday, July 3, 2011, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
For those frequenting the Las Vegas strip this Independence Day, triple-digit heat is expected.
It will be seasonably hot with highs near 108 F and partly sunny skies, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Edwards said. A normal high for this time of year is 102 F, he added.
There are several options for fireworks displays around Las Vegas with shows slated for Caesar's Palace, The Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower and Mandalay Bay, in addition to several others.
3. Washington, D.C.
Fireworks illuminate the sky over the U.S. Capitol building and the Washington Monument during Fourth of July celebrations, on Friday, July 4, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
At 9:09 p.m. EDT, fireworks will emblazen the night sky across the National Mall in our nation's capital. According to the National Park Service, the fireworks will be launched from the reflecting pool area and will be visible in many areas across the District and Virginia.
Temperatures will hover in the mid-80s, which will be near average for Independence Day. There will be good chance for a thunderstorm, especially during the afternoon, Feerick said.
Nationals fans planning to attend the game between the Nationals and San Francisco Giants at 11:05 a.m. EDT may want to bring a rain jacket in case storms rumble through during the latter portion of the game. Check AccuWeather MinuteCast® to see when rain may start during the game.
4. Orlando
Fireworks over Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. (Photo/Flickr user Anthony Quintano)
Residents and visitors in central Florida will want to check out Orlando's "Fireworks at the Fountain" event, which runs from 4-10 p.m. at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. At 9:10 p.m., the sky will flash various shades of red, white and blue as the event promises a patriotic fireworks display over Lake Eola.
At Walt Disney World Resort, three different theme parks will provide several opportunities for fireworks viewing.
Along with intervals of clouds and sun, temperatures will be in the low 90s, which is right around normal for July Fourth, according to Feerick.
"As usual, there can be a garden variety afternoon thunderstorm," he said.
5. San Diego
Fireworks over Coronado Bridge (Photo/Hornblower Cruises and Events)
Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. PDT for the "Big Bay Boom" in San Diego Bay, where fireworks will be launched from four different barges in a choreographed display. At 10:30 p.m., SeaWorld San Diego will present its guests with a fireworks show of its own.
Pleasant weather will unfold over San Diego this Fourth of July.
"Saturday will be nice with highs near 73 F, which is right around normal for this time of year," Edwards said.
6. Orange County, California
Fans watch a fireworks show after a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, May 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
The weather will cooperate for a number of holiday events across Orange County, including the OC Block Party at Angels Stadium of Anaheim, the Fourth of July Celebration at Huntingdon Beach Pier, or an Independence Day concert in Laguna Beach.
The common theme will be partly sunny skies with high temperatures in the lower 80s, which is also right around normal for this time of year, according to Edwards.
7. New York City
Fireworks light up the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge during Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show, Friday, July 4, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
The 39th annual Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show is set for 9 p.m., and spectators will want to head to Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights Promenade or and along the east side of Lower Manhattan for the best view, according to NYCgo. For more information on where to view the show, click here.
Macy's is also promising a star-studded event with performances from Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and Meghan Trainor, in addition to several other artists.
"Temperatures will be pretty close to average for July 4 [low 80s F]," Feerick said. "The day probably starts out rain-free, but there could be a couple of thunderstorms around in the afternoon with increased humidity."
In the afternoon, the Yankees will host the Rays at 1:05 p.m. EDT, while the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition will take place on Coney Island. Spectators should keep a close eye on the sky in the event of changing weather conditions. At the first sign of thunder or lightning, seek shelter immediately.
8. Seattle
A fireworks display over Seattle as photographed from Gasworks park on Lake Union on July 4, 2011. (Photo/Flickr user Andrew E. Larsen)
Seattle will celebrate our nation's birthday with the Seafair Summer Fourth. A full day of events and fun interactive activities comprises Seafair Summer Fourth with the fireworks scheduled for 10:20 p.m. PDT.
Seattle will experience "well above-normal" temperatures with plenty of sunshine, according to Edwards. A normal high for July 4 in the city is around 74 F.
"Highs will reach close to the record of 91 F set back in 1972," he said.
9. New Orleans
This aerial photo, shows a Fourth of July fireworks celebration over the Mississippi River in New Orleans, on Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans is planing to put on a show-stopping fireworks display over the Mississippi River as part of its 25th annual "Go 4th on the River" event. Beginning around 9 p.m. the fireworks will be launched from two separate barges in the middle of the river in what turns into a competition of sorts as the barges compete against one another by spewing an impressive display of fireworks, according to the event's website.
Feerick said that temperatures will be very close to average, with an afternoon and evening thunderstorm in parts of the area. However, much of the day should be rain-free. Daytime highs are forecast to be in the low 90s F on Saturday.
10. Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles Fireworks. (Photo/MattGush/iStock/Thinkstock)
A block party is planned at Grand Park in Los Angeles, featuring food, music and of course fireworks. The fireworks will commence at 9 p.m, while closer to the water, the Marina Del Rey fireworks are also slated to start at 9 p.m.
Partly sunny skies with high temperatures near 80 F, which is near normal for this time of year, are expected for Los Angeles, Edwards said.
Baseball fans heading to Chavez Ravine for Saturday's 4:15 p.m. PDT matchup between the Dodgers and the Mets will want to stay for post-game fireworks.

Have questions, comments, or a story to share? Email Kevin Byrne at Kevin.Byrne@accuweather.com, follow him on Twitter at @Accu_Kevin. Follow us @breakingweather, or on Facebook and Google+.
 

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