Stormy weather could potentially put a damper on President Trump’s massive military parade to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary – but the White House vowed the “historic celebration” will go on.
As Washington, DC prepares for the momentous occasion that coincides with the commander in chief’s 79th birthday, thunderstorms are looming Saturday late afternoon into evening, according to the forecast.
“Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense or America 250 Commission,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told The Post Thursday.
“No matter what, a historic celebration of our military service members will take place!”
An Army spokesperson told The Times of London that while rain isn’t an issue, lightning is a concern.
“Rain won’t stop us, the tanks don’t melt, but if there’s lightning then that puts the crowd at risk … they will disperse the crowd and even cancel or postpone the parade,” chief spokesperson Steve Warren said.
“It will depend on the president, too, when he’s available.”
The Department of Defense deferred comment to the Army, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Rows of tanks arrived in DC this week that are expected to be among the approximately 150 military vehicles on display for the parade. The daylong spectacle will also boast more than 6,500 soldiers and 50 aircraft, the Army said.
The parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., which is around when scattered thunderstorms could strike, Fox Weather meteorologist Samantha Thomas said Thursday.
It’s expected to be cloudy, humid and around 80 degrees throughout the day with a better chance of thunderstorms at 3 p.m. or later.
Following the parade, a concert at The Ellipse and fireworks are supposed to take place.
The event is estimated to cost $25 million to $45 million, with some critics claiming the show of force is a waste of resources, though military parades are not unprecedented in the US.
Trump called the price tag “peanuts” compared to the value of putting on the celebration.
“We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world,” Trump told NBC News.
“We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”
