NEW YORK CITY – Macy’s is preparing for millions of in-person spectators at the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City – despite the threat of a storm, bitter cold and high winds.

Wind also poses a threat to the dozens of building-sized balloons parading along the Manhattan route.

Here’s what to expect from the weather forecast if you plan to attend the parade in person:

Weather forecast for Thanksgiving Day in NYC

The FOX Prediction Center said a Thanksgiving Day storm will be on the Big Apple’s doorstep as officials coordinate the parade on Thursday morning and as the last festive and fun balloons are inflated before the start of the parade.

This graph shows forecast conditions in New York City on Thanksgiving Day 2024. (FOX Weather)

Rain is expected across the region on Thursday as the winter storm intensifies and winds don’t start to pick up until later Thursday afternoon.

The FOX Prediction Center said rain totals on Thursday will likely be somewhere between a half inch and an inch, but should fall over the course of 6 to 12 hours.

Wind threats

However, problems could arise if the storm moves through New York City earlier than expected. The FOX Prediction Center said winds are not expected to pick up until the system moves offshore, ushering in colder temperatures and stronger winds.

This image shows the parameters in which changes can occur in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (FOX Weather)

The balloons featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are enormous, and wind plays a crucial role in the parage logistics and safety measures.

The FOX Prediction Center expect light winds of about 5-10 km/hour with some higher gusts.

And that’s good news for those hoping to catch a glimpse of the balloons floating above the streets of New York.

This graph shows forecast winds in New York City along the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route. (FOX Weather)

Winds of that force may not seem like much, but controlling the balloons can become much more difficult as the wind increases.

The iconic balloons cannot fly when sustained winds reach 37 km/h and/or when gusts reach 55 km/h.

So far it looks like the winds will remain below these thresholds.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Weather Forecast

Thanksgiving week forecast

Tuesday

Expect a bit of rain before the sun comes out. Highest of 60, lowest of 48.

Wednesday

Temperatures will drop with mostly clear skies. Highest of 50, lowest of 40.

People participate in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Thursday

Expect rain, with possible snow north of the city. Highest of 49, lowest of 41.

Friday

A windy, but clear day with temperatures around freezing. Highest of 46, lowest of 38.