Most Infamous Thanksgiving Week Storms Throughout History

With the timing of Thanksgiving during one of the most volatile months of weather, it makes sense that the holiday has frequently seen a variety of extreme weather events. From deadly tornadoes to major snow and ice events, here is a look at some of the most notorious Thanksgiving week storms throughout history

High Winds and Snow in New York City

One of the most infamous weather events surrounding the holiday week happened on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 1997. Winds reaching speeds of over 40 mph disrupted the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Two people were hurt after the Cat-in-the-Hat balloon struck a lamppost, sending the metal arm into the crowd. The incident prompted organizers to instill new rules about when to ground balloons. Since that time, the balloons must be grounded if sustained winds reach speeds of 23 mph or gusts hit 34 mph or greater.

Snow has also disrupted the holiday in the Big Apple several times. Going back to 1900, over an inch of snow was recorded in the city on Thanksgiving  Day in 1989 and 1938. The coldest Thanksgiving in over a century happened in New York City in 2018 when the temperatures dropped to 19 degrees in Central Park.