Can the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade be canceled if it snows? The storm forecast for New York on Nov. 28

Very few events can stop the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from taking over the streets of Manhattan. Even in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic left families separated for the major holiday, a scaled-down version of the parade, without a public audience, took place to bring some cheer to the country.

What would it take for the parade to be canceled? Would a really strong snowstorm do it? Not likley. Snow, rain or shine the show much go on, and weather has never stopped the parade from going forward in the past. The only years since the parade began in 1924, it has only been cancelled three times, 1942, 1943, and 1944 as World War II raged in Europe and materials needed for the war effort like helium and alumnimum were redirected.

The coldest parade in Macy’s history

Well, we know that cold weather doesn’t stop the party. In 2018, New York City experienced one of its coldest Thanksgivings on record, with temperatures hovering around 19°F. Not even below-freezing temperatures kept the show from the public. Looking back at some of the outfits the performers were wearing, I have only one word: brr. The images also show that spectators still turned out to watch the world-famous parade pass by.

The forecast for parade goes this year

NBC, the parades unofficial host has confirmed that the preperations are already underway for Thursdays event, and millions are expected to tune in.

This year, New Yorkers are expected to see a high of 48°F and a low of 38°F on their thermometers. With rain in the forecast, these temperatures rule out the chance of snow, but the precipitation could make it feel much colder than it is. Currently, AccuWeather is forecasting rain to hit the Big Apple in the evening, and if that pattern holds, paradegoers should be able to stay dry.