Northeast Storm Could Ground Macy’s Day Parade Balloons
LAURA CAVANAUGH/GETTY IMAGES
There are hundreds of un-inflated balloons chilling in bins in New York City right now, all constantly refreshing weather.com, as the approaching winter storm may lead to a “grounding” of the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
New York City rules dictate that the balloon lift-off must be cancelled should “sustained winds exceed 23 m.p.h. and gusts exceed 34 m.p.h.,” a decree made in 1997 after some nasty winds resulted in a Cat in the Hat balloon knocking into a light pole, which injured a parade spectator. At the moment, winds tomorrow are expected to reach 20 m.p.h., with gusts reaching 36 m.p.h., which puts the forecast right in the “no go” danger zone.
But your Thursday morning family tradition of everyone congregating in the living room and silently refreshing their phones while your father verbally live-blogs the parade (“Now, that’s an interesting float. What character is that? Is that Garfield? Did they change Garfield’s face?”) could still take place, as Macy’s says the decision could be very last-minute.
“At this time, it is too early to make any determinations on the flight of the giant balloons,” a Macy’s spokesman said. “On Thanksgiving morning, Macy's works closely with the NYPD, who, based on real time weather data and the official regulations, determine if the balloons will fly and at what heights.”
Meanwhile, the Dora The Explorer balloon just asked Snoopy, with an anxious frown, “Do you think I should rent World War Z on my iPad? You know, just in case . . . we have some timetomorrow? Because if I spend the $5.99 and then end up not being able to watch it, I’m gonna be pissed.”
New York City rules dictate that the balloon lift-off must be cancelled should “sustained winds exceed 23 m.p.h. and gusts exceed 34 m.p.h.,” a decree made in 1997 after some nasty winds resulted in a Cat in the Hat balloon knocking into a light pole, which injured a parade spectator. At the moment, winds tomorrow are expected to reach 20 m.p.h., with gusts reaching 36 m.p.h., which puts the forecast right in the “no go” danger zone.
But your Thursday morning family tradition of everyone congregating in the living room and silently refreshing their phones while your father verbally live-blogs the parade (“Now, that’s an interesting float. What character is that? Is that Garfield? Did they change Garfield’s face?”) could still take place, as Macy’s says the decision could be very last-minute.
“At this time, it is too early to make any determinations on the flight of the giant balloons,” a Macy’s spokesman said. “On Thanksgiving morning, Macy's works closely with the NYPD, who, based on real time weather data and the official regulations, determine if the balloons will fly and at what heights.”
Meanwhile, the Dora The Explorer balloon just asked Snoopy, with an anxious frown, “Do you think I should rent World War Z on my iPad? You know, just in case . . . we have some timetomorrow? Because if I spend the $5.99 and then end up not being able to watch it, I’m gonna be pissed.”
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