Strong Winds Could Jeopardize the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Weather mishaps have put a damper on the festivities in the past.

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Andrew Kelly / Getty Images

People climb for position to watch the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade November 22, 2012 in New York City.

New York news outlets are already speculating that strong winds in the area could prevent some balloons from flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

The New York Post reports, “Store officials said some 16 balloons would not fly if gusts exceed 34 mph,” and according to Accuweather.com, “Wind gusts on Thursday morning are expected to be between 20 and 30 mph. There could be a few isolated gusts to 35 mph.”

In 1928, a giant balloon dog escaped its handlers’ grasp and deflated after blowing into a street sign. And in 1997, when winds reached 43 mph, a Cat in the Hat balloon rammed into a lamppost, and the metal arm fell off, hitting Kathleen Caronna in the head. TIME reported the 33-year-old “spent nearly a month in a coma, then sued Macy’s and the city for $395 million. (The parties reached an undisclosed settlement in 2001.)”

MORE: History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade