
New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras Day with costumes and revelry despite weather concerns
NEW ORLEANS — Thousands of revelers adorned in beads and outlandish costumes will fill the streets of New Orleans as the city celebrates Mardi Gras Day despite anticipated severe storms.
The city's two biggest parades — hosted by social clubs Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex — are set to go on with earlier start times, shorter routes and no marching bands, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told reporters Monday. The parades will be required to wrap up by 11:30 a.m. local time to avoid diminishing weather.

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Axios
13-03-2025
- Axios
Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day parade postponed due to weather threat
Organizers of the Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade in New Orleans are looking for a new day to roll after canceling due to the threat of severe storms. Why it matters: Chances are increasing for nasty weather Saturday. The big picture: Jeff Delatte, the spokesperson for the Irish Channel parade, told Axios late Wednesday that the club will not parade Saturday. They are working with the city to find a new date in the Irish Channel. "We love our Irish Channel culture and heritage and definitely want to be a part of celebrating in New Orleans," he said. There's no immediate timeline, but time is of the essence as the members rely heavily on perishable throws of cabbage, carrots, onions and more. The latest: The National Weather Service is warning residents to prepare for two "significant" severe weather events ahead of an incoming cold front. The first round on Friday is expected to stay north of New Orleans. Saturday is the danger day for southeast Louisiana. Thunderstorms could develop in the morning, forecasters say, and become severe into the evening. NWS says they'll get a better idea about timing Thursday. Threat level: Saturday's storms could bring tornadoes, wind gusts of 75 mph and 2-inch hail. Yes, but: The weather will be gorgeous Sunday after the storms pass — sunny with a high in the mid-70s. Zoom in: The Irish Channel club says they'll still have Mass at 11:45am Saturday at St. Mary's Assumption Church. And, they'll host a block party from 10am to 5pm Monday at Annunciation Square. Zoom out: Covington also rescheduled its St. Patrick's Day parade, as did Krewe du Pooch in Mandeville. Both will roll on Sunday now. The Metairie Road St. Patrick's parade will roll at noon Sunday too. The Krewe of Argus parade, which was canceled due to bad weather on Mardi Gras Day, will roll at 10am Sunday ahead of the Old Metairie parade. Plus, Black Masking Indians show off their suits at Uptown Super Sunday at A.L. Davis Park, starting at noon. What's next: The Irish Channel club says it will post the new date on its Facebook page.


Axios
12-03-2025
- Axios
Severe storms threaten Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day parade
Organizers of the annual Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade in New Orleans say they will decide Thursday whether to change their schedule this weekend. Why it matters: Chances are increasing for a severe storm outbreak Saturday, including tornadoes. The big picture: Forecasters with the National Weather Service are warning residents to prepare for two "significant" severe weather events in the South ahead of an incoming cold front. One Friday is expected to stay north of New Orleans. Saturday is the danger day for southeast Louisiana. Thunderstorms could develop in the morning, forecasters say, and become severe into the evening. They'll get a better idea about timing in the next 24 hours. Threat level: The storms could bring tornadoes, wind gusts of 75 mph and 2-inch hail. Yes, but: The weather will be gorgeous Sunday after the storms pass — sunny with a high in the mid-70s. Zoom out: This weekend is packed with events. The Irish Channel parade is slated to roll at 1pm Saturday, while the Metairie Road parade will roll at noon Sunday. The Krewe of Argus parade, which was canceled due to bad weather on Mardi Gras Day, will roll ahead of the Old Metairie parade at 10am Sunday. Plus, Black Masking Indians will show off their suits at Uptown Super Sunday at A.L. Davis Park, starting at noon. The intrigue: St. Patrick's parades are particularly tricky to postpone because riders throw food items like cabbage and onions. The Irish Channel krewe said they are working with NOPD and focusing on the safety of members, first responders and spectators. Jeff Delatte, the spokesperson for the Irish Channel parade, declined to speculate on the organization's options, but said they hope to have an answer by the end of Thursday.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Thunderstorms, heavy rain hit East Coast with blizzard conditions in the Midwest
Two storms are targeting the country, with one bringing heavy rain to the East Coast and blizzard conditions to the Midwest, and the second dropping snow and rain in the West. The East Coast storm first tore through the South, with at least 10 tornadoes reported from Oklahoma to Florida. MORE: Major storm moves east after tornadoes hit Texas, Oklahoma on Mardi Gras Day The storm is now barreling up the coast, moving through Georgia and South Carolina on Wednesday morning. Later in the morning and into the afternoon, a squall line with possible tornadoes will target the area from Charleston, South Carolina, to Raleigh, North Carolina, to Virginia Beach, Virginia. A tornado watch is in effect in the Carolinas, where damaging winds could reach 70 mph. In the early afternoon, severe thunderstorms could hit Washington, D.C., bringing heavy rain and damaging winds. The storm will reach Philadelphia by mid-afternoon, and then bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the New York City area during the evening rush hour. New York City could see up to 1 inch of rain and localized flooding, the city's emergency management department warned. "Plan ahead if you're in an area prone to flooding," the department said on social media. "If traveling, take extra care and time." In the Midwest and the Great Lakes, the same storm system is bringing a blizzard warning from Iowa to Michigan. A combination of heavy snow and wind gusts over 50 mph will create dangerous whiteout conditions on the roads. Parts of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan could see 1 to 2 feet of snow by the afternoon. Up to 1 foot of snow fell just south of Minneapolis, while the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport recorded more than 7 inches, making it the biggest snowstorm of the winter season. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and authorized the state's National Guard to give support. "Give plows room to work," the Minnesota State Patrol said. "Slow down, buckle up and put distractions away." "Vehicles are piling up, and visibility is nearly zero," the Iowa State Patrol said. "We urge everyone: DO NOT TRAVEL unless absolutely necessary!" Meanwhile, a second storm is hitting 11 states in the West, from California to South Dakota, from Wednesday through Friday. One to 3 feet of snow is possible from California to the Rocky Mountains. Rain is expected in Southern California, including Los Angeles. There's not a major threat for flash flooding but there could be debris flow in wildfire burn scar areas. Thunderstorms, heavy rain hit East Coast with blizzard conditions in the Midwest originally appeared on