As Thanksgiving approaches, people across the nation look forward to all of the annual traditions – an overdose of delicious food, football, and of course, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But this Thanksgiving, the parade may be hindered by weather.
While severe weather warnings have been hitting across the nation for Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather in New York on Thursday should be dry, but cold and windy – with a forecast of 15-40 mph winds. The wind conditions could ground some of the big balloons in the parade, including Spiderman, SpongeBob and Pikachu, reports ABC News.
Following an accident in 1997, when the Cat in the Hat balloon went rogue and crashed into a light pole that shattered and injured four parade-goers, it was determined that the large balloons are no longer to fly when wind speeds reach over 23 mph with gusts of 34 mph.
Another incident occurred in 1995, when two out-of-control M&Ms injured two people after hitting a street light, according to NBC New York . After the accident, the number of balloon handlers required to control the balloons increased.
"At this time, it is too early to make any determinations on the flight of the giant balloons," said Macy's Parade spokesman, Orlando Veras. "On Thanksgiving morning, Macy's works closely with the NYPD, who, based on real time weather data and the official regulations determine if the balloons will fly and at what heights."
The 87th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. Thursday. The 2.5-mile parade is attended by approximately 3 million parade-goers a year, who line the streets from 77th Street and Central Park West, through Columbus Circle to Herald Square.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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