Thanksgiving Weather NYC: High Winds Could Ground Balloons

NEW YORK CITY — Strong winds Thursday might ground the iconic balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The parade's 16 balloons will not bob down Sixth Avenue Thanksgiving if wind conditions rise above 23 mph, as AccuWeather forecasters predict they might, to abide by city regulations.

"Gusts are forecast to frequent 30-50 mph from the north and northwest," said meteorologist Courtney Travis in a statement. "

City rules have forbidden balloons to fly in high winds since 1997 when the Cat in the Hat blew off course and hurt four people.

The final decision will likely be made Thursday morning.

National Weather Service forecasts speedy gusts but warmer temperatures than last year's parade had with a high near 49 degrees.

Here's the weather forecasters predict for Thanksgiving week:

Monday
Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 61. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Tuesday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 47. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers after 9am. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy.

Thanksgiving Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Breezy.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Sunday
A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 48.