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Army's 250th birthday parade festivities face risk of stormy weather Saturday evening

According to the FOX Forecast Center's Risk Of Weather Impact (ROWI) assessment, there is a medium risk of inclement weather in the nation's capital, with showers and thunderstorms expected.

By Raymond Sanchez Source FOX Weather

U.S. Army Parade to kick off Saturday morning despite threat of rain

As long as lightning doesn't strike, the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Parade will begin Saturday morning. FOX News National Correspondent Rebekah Castor is in the nation's capitol with the latest on the festivities. 

WASHINGTON – The festival and parade celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army could face some wet weather Saturday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center's Risk Of Weather Impact (ROWI) assessment, there is a medium risk of inclement weather in the nation's capital, with showers and thunderstorms expected throughout part of the evening. 

The event kicks off at 9:30 am, with a low risk of weather impacts, along with temperatures in the low 70s. However, the rating on the ROWI scale increases as the day progresses.

U.S. Army soldiers work on an assortment of M1 Alpha a3 Abrams tanks, stryker armored vehicles, and M2 Bradley fighting vehicles at West Potomac Park along the Potomac River on June 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)

The celebration continues throughout the day and into the night, with fireworks planned Saturday night.

Here's the schedule:

  • 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Fitness Competition and awards.
  • 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.- Army Birthday Festival: This event is open to the public with opportunities to interact with soldiers, watch military demonstrations, explore equipment static displays and listen to live music throughout the day.
  • 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. – Army 250th Birthday Parade.
  • 9:45 p.m. – Fireworks on the Mall.

In the 4 p.m. hour, the ROWI worsens to medium, with winds over 10 mph and temperatures in the high 70s.

As festivities shift into the 7 p.m. hour, thunderstorms could be possible. 

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This will be the first major U.S. military parade since 1991, following the Gulf War victory.

The U.S. military first came into action during the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, which signaled the beginning of the Revolutionary War, according to Army.mil.

On June 15, 1775, George Washington was named Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.