The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade may be halted due to high-speed winds and less than stellar weather projected for Thursday.
According to USA Today, the Parade balloons cannot take off if the wind speeds exceed more than 23 mph, with "gusts" of no more than 34 mph.
"We are closely monitoring the weather as we do each year," Macy's spokeswoman Holly Thomas told USA Today. "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 wind speed may no be the big issue, as AccuWeather.com predicts they will be 15-20 mph. However, the weather site predicts the gusts could reach up to 40 mph.
"The balloons, as you know, can be flown to various heights... or not brought out at all," New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told Reuters. "These are decisions that will be made as we go forward depending on the weather conditions."
The famous NYC parade has become a long-standing Thanksgiving day tradition for the past 87 years. A total of 30 full-size floats, 11 marching bands, 900 clowns and 1,600 cheerleaders and dancers are expected to make an appearance at the parade. Kids and adults alike are also looking forward to seeing staple balloons and characters of the parade, including Charlie Brown and Santa Clause.
"On average our giant helium character balloons range from 50 to 78 feet (15 to 23 meters) in length, 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters) in height, and 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) in width," parade spokesman Orlando Veras told Reuters.
Weather permitting, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin on Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York City on Wednesday. Check your local listing for the televised live event, which is reportedly expected to draw in more than 50 million viewers.
