Severe storms threaten Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day parade

The big picture: Forecasters with the National Weather Service are warning residents to prepare for two "significant" severe weather events in the South ahead of an incoming cold front.

• One Friday is expected to stay north of New Orleans. Saturday is the danger day for southeast Louisiana.
• Thunderstorms could develop in the morning, forecasters say, and become severe into the evening.
• They'll get a better idea about timing in the next 24 hours.

Threat level: The storms could bring tornadoes, wind gusts of 75 mph and 2-inch hail.

Yes, but: The weather will be gorgeous Sunday after the storms pass — sunny with a high in the mid-70s.

Zoom out: This weekend is packed with events.

• The Irish Channel parade is slated to roll at 1pm Saturday, while the Metairie Road parade will roll at noon Sunday.
• The Krewe of Argus parade, which was canceled due to bad weather on Mardi Gras Day, will roll ahead of the Old Metairie parade at 10am Sunday.

• Plus, Black Masking Indians will show off their suits at Uptown Super Sunday at A.L. Davis Park, starting at noon.

The intrigue: St. Patrick's parades are particularly tricky to postpone because riders throw food items like cabbage and onions.

• The Irish Channel krewe said they are working with NOPD and focusing on the safety of members, first responders and spectators.
• Jeff Delatte, the spokesperson for the Irish Channel parade, declined to speculate on the organization's options, but said they hope to have an answer by the end of Thursday.