91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Dry, chilly conditions to greet millions of spectators
By Amanda Schmidt, AccuWeather staff writer
November 23, 2017, 7:53:23 AM EST
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The 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place this Thursday morning starting at 9 a.m. EST. Over 3.5 million people are expected to line the streets of Manhattan to watch the famous balloons and floats help to kick off the holiday season.
Sunshine is anticipated with temperatures starting out around 32 F and rising into the lower 40s later in the day, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.
Winds that picked up across the city on Wednesday night will slacken into Thursday morning.
The parade was held under wet conditions last year. However, the event takes place whether rain or shine.
If wind speeds are determined to be too high, then the parade will not incorporate the iconic giant balloons due to safety concerns.
Macy's Parade spokesman Orlando Veras previously told AccuWeather that when wind speeds exceed 23 mph and gusts surpass 34 mph, giant balloons cannot be operated due to city regulations.
The wind should not be an issue by Thursday morning. Winds are forecast to average 6 to 12 mph with gusts under 15 mph.
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This year's parade will include many of its old traditions as well as five new balloons and floats, including Parade Day Mischief by Sour Patch Kids and Everyone’s Favorite Bake Shop by Entenmann’s.
Performers and balloons pass through 59th Street during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP)
Special guest starts will include Gwen Stefani, Martha Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg and more.
In 2015, 22.3 million viewers tuned in to catch the parade on NBC, and that number is projected to continue to increase, according to Forbes.
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