Jefferson Parish Mardi Gras parades will not roll on Tuesday, March 4, due to weather

JEFFERSON, LA – The Krewe of Argus and Elks Krewe of Jeffersonians, originally scheduled to roll in Jefferson Parish on Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, March 4, are canceled due to the anticipated inclement weather.

Jefferson Parish officials are continuing to work with krewes on the possibility of rescheduling both parades; stay tuned for updates.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), there is a 79 percent chance of wind gusts greater or equal to 40 mph beginning as early as sunrise on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, with wind gusts greater than 60 mph possible, sustained winds between 25-40 mph, and a High Wind Watch in effect Tuesday morning to Tuesday evening.

Winds of this magnitude are capable of causing damage to trees and power lines, loose items could get blown away and high-profile vehicles, including Carnival floats, will have dangerous crosswinds.

To put it in perspective, Jefferson Parish Transit immediately stops providing service over bridges and overpasses once winds reach a sustained 35 mph or greater; and Entergy crews can’t use bucket trucks to work on power lines until sustained winds are 30 mph or less.

“Due to the forecasted high winds and potential threat to public safety, we have made the difficult decision to cancel parades on Mardi Gras Day. This is disappointing but our top priority is ensuring the well-being of everyone in our community, and we must always prioritize safety above all else,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng.