Thunderstorms could put damper on Trump's military parade

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Jun 13, 2025

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Possible thunderstorms are in the forecast for around the time President Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C. military parade is scheduled to get underway Saturday. But marchers may catch a break.

The event honoring the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, which also falls on Trump’s 79th birthday, is scheduled to hit its stride at 6:30 p.m. when tanks, soldiers and military equipment travel the six blocks bisecting the National Mall. That procession will be followed by music and a 9:45 p.m. fireworks display.

There will be festivities throughout the day beginning with Defense Secretary and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth honoring fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery at 8:15 a.m.

The Nation Weather Services said Friday that morning drizzle could give way to showers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday followed by a possible thunderstorm. Showers are likely as Saturday night ends. Temperatures will reach a high near 83 degrees. Sunday could begin with a thunderstorm.

Accuweather warns thunderstorms could occur Saturday around 4 p.m., then resume around 9 p.m. According to the Weather Channel, the day will start out soggy, but Trump’s parade looked like it would play out under cloudy skies and otherwise dry conditions as of Friday afternoon.

Overcast skies and lingering wet weather isn’t expected to alter the event.

Military officials said 6,700 soldiers including 400 troops from the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division will march before the President. The event on the ground will also include 28 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley Fighter Vehicles, 24 horses and eight marching bands.

Fifty aircraft including combat helicopters will fly overhead.

The Army estimates the celebration’s cost, including $14 million in road damage, to be around $45 million.

Coinciding with the celebrations in Washington, D.C. will be dozens of nationwide “No Kings Day” protests meant to counter Trump’s “spectacle meant to look like strength.”

Organizers of that demonstration are deliberately avoiding hosting gatherings in the nation’s capital. No Kings gatherings will take place in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

The Trump administration has found itself going to battle in the courts this week as the President pushes to deploy National Guard and Marine troops in Los Angeles to challenge anti-immigrant deportation protesters. California officials have called those actions unnecessary and illegal.