Sustained winds on Thursday are forecast to reach 15 to 20 mph, with gusts between 30 and 40 mph; The limits for letting balloons fly is 23 mph winds and gusts of 34 mph -- rules set by a commission in 1998 after a serious accident amid high winds the year before.

These conditions could ground the high-flying balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which can't fly in certain conditions.

A Macy's spokesman said Monday that organizers will look at "real-time" conditions, not forecasts, and that a decision would be made on Thursday morning. Organizers have closely eyed the parade forecast, especially predictions for wind, after accidents over the years