Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade faces cold rain for 100th anniversary

On By Littum

The 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade will be a very wet affair. The FOX Forecast Center said a Thanksgiving Day storm will bring rain to the entire parade in New York City.

NEW YORK – This year will mark the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Despite the threat of a winter storm in the northeast on Thursday, preparations are well underway to continue the holiday tradition again this year.

The FOX Forecast Center said a Thanksgiving Day storm will bring rain to the entire parade with some pockets of heavy downpours.

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This graphic shows the weather forecast for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday.
(FOX Weather)

While rain is expected across the region Thursday, winds will not begin to pick up until later Thursday afternoon.

The FOX Forecast Center said Thursday’s rainfall is likely to be anywhere from half an inch to an inch, but should taper off in 6-12 hours.

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This graphic shows the parameters where changes may occur in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This graphic shows the parameters where changes may occur in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

(FOX Weather)

The balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are massive, and wind plays a critical role in parade logistics and safety measures.

The FOX Forecast Center expects winds of around 10-20 mph with some higher gusts.

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This graphic shows the wind forecast for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday.
(FOX Weather)

And that’s good news for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the balloons floating over the streets of New York.

Winds of that strength may not seem like much, but controlling the balloons can become much more difficult as the wind increases.

The iconic balloons cannot fly if sustained winds reach 23 mph and/or if gusts reach 34 mph.

For now, it looks like the wind will stay below these thresholds.

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MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE - Pictured: The Barney Balloon during the 1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank

The Barney balloon during the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

(NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images)

In 1997, winds tossed a balloon into a lamppost, causing it to crash to the ground and injuring a spectator. During the same parade, another balloon burst and deflated into the street.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the second oldest in the country. Philadelphia’s parade celebrates 105 years on Thursday.