New Year's Eve spectators to feel freezing temperatures across U.S.

Millions will need to bundle up Wednesday night to ring in the new year. Temperatures across the country will dip below the freezing point for New Year's Eve; that includes the Southwest, which is bracing for unusually cold weather. In Pasadena, California, spectators are expected to experience the coldest Rose Parade in its 126 year history, CBS News' John Blackstone reports.

Snow and freezing temperatures are creating dangerous driving conditions in the mountain community of Big Bear, California, about a hundred miles northeast of Los Angeles.

"It's cold, there's a lot of people slid everywhere out up there," resident Connie Soto said.

To the west, more than 100 people had to be rescued near Crestline, stuck on Highway 138. Even the road to Las Vegas turned treacherous.

New Year's Eve wind chills will bring the temperatures down to the low 20s in Sacramento, and 90 miles to the north, strong winds knocked down trees, killing two in Paradise, California, including a motorist.

"As they were driving, it appears the tree fell into the vehicle," Pasadena Fire Department public information officer Lisa Derderian said.

In Southern California, the frigid cold is causing concerns about the floats and the spectators at Thursday morning's Rose Parade. Hundreds are expected to camp out overnight, and many may be unprepared for the deep freeze.

Derderian said while low 30s may not seem cold to much of the nation, the fear is real for some Californians.

"We live in sunny Southern California most of the year, but the fear of hypothermia is real because hypothermia can be life threatening and fatal," Derderian said.

Officials are encouraging paradewatchers to wear multiple layers of clothing even though some of those walking the 5.5 mile parade route will be wearing next to nothing.