How Weather Has Impacted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Through the Years

All eyes will be on New York City on Thursday when the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to the streets of Manhattan. This will be the 99th year that the parade has entertained millions of onlookers. The only years that the parade did not happen were between 1942 and 1944. Historians will note that this was the period when the country was occupied with fighting in World War II.

Shockingly, the weather has never forced the cancellation of the famous parade. That is not to say that Mother Nature has always cooperated. From high winds to frigid cold, here are some of the most notorious Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades throughout history.

Windy Conditions

The parade's worst nemesis is the wind. Everyone knows that the stars of this parade are the famous balloons that fly above the streets. Winds gusting to 40 mph in 1997 made it nearly impossible to launch the balloons that measured over six stories. After flying out of control, police had to stab and stomp on the poor Barney and Pink Panther balloons in order to deflate them.

That was the same year that the Cat in the Hat balloon careened into a light pole with such force that it sent debris flying toward spectators. One woman was hospitalized in a coma for 24 days after being struck by the debris.

Since that time, parade organizers have instituted rules to determine if it is safe for the balloons to fly. The balloons cannot be launched if sustained winds are measured at more than 23 mph and gusts clock in at over 34 mph.

Keep in mind that the narrow streets and soaring skyscrapers of Manhattan amplify what is known as the "Venturi effect." This effect happens when wind speeds naturally increase if compressed into tight spaces. This means that any powerful winds are made stronger in New York City.