Will Thanksgiving Be Canceled This Year?

The latest forecast now calls for up to 12 inches of snow in the Hudson Valley on Thanksgiving. How will this affect the parade, travel plans and holiday shopping?

The Parade
While it's too early to know just how much snow we will actually get, it's probably safe to say that the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will go on as scheduled. That is, unless it turns out to be a blizzard. Every year 3.5 million New Yorkers line the streets to get a glimpse of the floats and balloons. While windy and blustery weather may ground the balloons, it would take something spectacular to stop the parade all together.

Balloons were grounded only once in the parade's history when high winds kept them from flying in 1971. Of course, under bad conditions the balloons may not fly as high as usual, since extra precautions have been taken since a tragedy in 1997 when strong winds made the Cat in the Hat balloon fly into a lamppost, causing pieces to fall on a woman's head, resulting in life-threatening injuries.

Airlines
As for other Thanksgiving plans, it's quite likely that airlines will postpone or cancel flights as early as Tuesday if the weather forecast calls for significant snow. In recent years airlines have begun getting more proactive about canceling flights earlier. This is due in part to changes in the way airlines are operated, but mostly as a way to stop cascading delays that pile up for weeks after a significant storm. Your best bet is to check early and often so you can be one of the first to reschedule if your flight has changed.

Roads
Accuweather says that your best bet is to travel on Tuesday if at all possible. Those who decide to take to the roads on Wednesday may find themselves in the middle of a storm in the Northeast by the afternoon. Again, it's important to stay informed of any weather changes and plan ahead.

Do you think the weather will affect your plans this Thanksgiving? What is your plan if you are unable to travel for the holiday?