As Washington, D.C., prepares to host a parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday on Saturday, weather forecasters are warning of the potential for showers and thunderstorms that could disrupt the day’s events, including a scheduled appearance by President Trump, whose 79th birthday coincides with the celebration.
A significant number of demonstrations, from supporters and critics, are also expected across the country. For all involved, the weather may prove less celebratory, as forecasters noted some risk of severe storms in a region from Montana into Texas and of extreme heat in the South and Southwest.
Across a wide section of the Eastern and Central United States, a slow-moving weather system is expected to keep conditions unsettled through the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms across portions of the Gulf Coast up through the Ohio Valley, the Mid-Atlantic States and the Northeast. While forecasters say widespread flooding is unlikely, downpours could cause localized flooding in some areas.
The National Weather Service issued a broad “marginal” risk for excessive rainfall on Saturday, the lowest level on its four-tier scale, for much of the eastern third of the country through the weekend. A slightly higher risk was forecast for parts of Kansas, Oklahoma and Virginia. .
In the nation’s capital, the likelihood of rain is high on Saturday. Conditions are expected to be cloudy and humid, with a high temperature of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Events on the National Mall are scheduled all day long, and the parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. A fireworks display is planned for three hours later.
The Weather Service predicted an 80- to 90-percent chance of rain during the afternoon and evening, according to Kevin Witt, a meteorologist at the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. Weather Service office. “We are going to get some showers and thunderstorms moving through the area at some point during the afternoon and evening hours. Rain amounts are going to be varying anywhere from a half inch to an inch to several inches,” Mr. Witt said on Friday morning.
Across the Midwest, including Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis, cooler than average temperatures are likely to continue into the weekend. Forecasters said that afternoon highs in the 70s and low 80s are expected. However, scattered thunderstorms are likely, especially Sunday. While widespread flooding is not expected, occasional heavy rain and gusty winds may affect outdoor events.
Los Angeles is expected to offer a stark contrast. Protests planned in the city this weekend are forecast to take place under mostly sunny skies, with a warming trend that is expected to begin Saturday. Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-80s. The Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service said that temperatures were not expected to reach the criteria for a heat advisory.
Some inland areas of Southern California may see temperatures climb closer to 100 by Sunday. The Weather Service advised people outside to drink plenty of water and to take frequent breaks in the shade.
Some areas may also see extreme heat.
The most severe weather hazard of the weekend may be the heat across the Desert Southwest. A strong high-pressure system could cause dangerously high temperatures. Phoenix and Las Vegas, cities where protests are planned, may reach or exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings for central and southern parts of Arizona and Southern California through Monday, saying that dangerously hot conditions were possible and that overexposure could cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion and possible heat stroke without intervention. They advised people to stay hydrated and avoid exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The West Coast likely will remain mostly dry, though forecasters said that a few weak weather systems were expected to bring light rain to parts of the Pacific Northwest early next week. Temperatures across the Intermountain West will stay slightly above normal, with cooler air expected to arrive by midweek.
In the Northeast, from New York City to Boston, the forecast predicts a mix of clouds, sunny spells and scattered showers. Temperatures should climb into the 70s and low 80s, though thunderstorms may pop up during the afternoon and evening hours.
Nazaneen Ghaffar is a Times reporter on the Weather team.
Camille Baker is a Times senior news assistant who also contributes reporting to the Data Journalism team.
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