A long-standing Rose Parade tradition was disrupted on Thursday when a B-2 Spirit was unable to complete its scheduled flyover during the 137th edition of the event in Pasadena due to poor weather conditions.
US Air Force officials said dense cloud cover and rain made flight conditions unsafe, forcing the cancellation of the bomber’s first planned appearance over the parade route.
Weather grounds initial flyover
Spectators gathered along the parade route expecting the familiar roar of the stealth bomber overhead. However, low visibility caused by heavy clouds and rain prevented the aircraft from taking off as planned.
According to the United States Air Force, the weather significantly limited visibility, making it unsafe for the aircraft to navigate the area earlier in the day.
Second delay before successful appearance
A second flyover planned during the pregame ceremonies at the Rose Bowl was also delayed as weather conditions failed to improve.
A rare, rainy day in Pasadena, California kept the B-2 Spirit hidden from Rose Bowl fans a little longer than planned, but the long-standing tradition lives on as the B-2 roars overhead to kick off the second half! pic.twitter.com/GlGZuTSCV4
— Airshow News (@NewsAirshow) January 1, 2026
Later in the afternoon, conditions cleared enough for the aircraft to fly. The bat-winged bomber appeared over the stadium at around 3 p.m., during halftime of the Rose Bowl.
At the time of the flyover, Indiana Hoosiers held a 17–0 lead over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tradition resumes despite delays
Although the iconic aircraft missed its traditional parade route appearance, the eventual flyover restored part of the spectacle for fans inside the stadium.
Air Force officials said safety considerations guided all decisions, noting that the aircraft was only cleared to fly once conditions allowed for safe operation.
