MIDTOWN — Severe weather and high wind warnings could put a damper on Wednesday's preparations for the Thanksgiving holiday as heavy rain and winds of up to 40 miles per hour are expected to blow through the city.
The dismal weather should turn sunny by Thursday's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, when temperatures are expected to be in the low 50s with light winds. That's good news for parade-goers since some of the larger balloons are grounded when high winds made them too difficult to control.
It was unclear how the winds might affect Wednesday's blowing up of the balloons, when the giant floats are inflated close to the ground and tied up along West 77th and 81st streets between Columbus and Central Park West.
The National Weather Service issued a weather warning Tuesday lasting through Wednesday night, as a series of storms moved up the East Coast, bringing over two inches of rain and sustained winds of up to 25 miles per hour.
Occasional wind gusts could reach up to 40 miles per hour on Tuesday night and Wednesday, prompting the Department of Buildings to ask building owners and construction sites to secure their property.
The DOB advised builders, contractors and property owners to secure materials and loose debris, cover electrical equipment and suspend crane operations. Property owners have also been advised to anchor down lightweight objects such as potted plants and umbrellas.
A thunderstorm is expected after midnight Tuesday and could produce one to two inches of rain with wind gusts as high as 28 mph, according to the weather service. The storm front has already caused flooding Arkansas, ABC News reported.
Temperatures are predicted to fluctuate between a low of 38 degrees and a high of 60 degrees on Wednesday, according to Accuweather.
