Trump's $45 million birthday parade set for weather hell and not even 'Golden Dome' could save it

A massive military parade is set to bring thousands to Washington DC, to mark the Army's 250th birthday on June 14 -- the same day as President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The Army has estimated more than 6,000 soldiers will participate in the event. The event, which may cost up to $45 million, is intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army and coincides with Trump's 79th birthday.

Trump's military parade is expected to include a fitness competition, festival and parade complete with tanks and infantry vehicles, helicopter flyovers and parachute jumps. However, a weather expert told The Irish Times that President Trump's military parade is expected to face weather-related challenges.

Trump's birthday parade set for weather hell

Accuweather senior meteorologist Thomas Kines predicted a "warm and humid evening," which may feel like the mid-80s. "Looks like a warm and humid evening for the parade with temperatures around 80 degrees, but it will feel like the middle 80s," Kines told The Mirror US.

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"Temperatures for the hours leading up to the parade will be well into 80s, and it will feel like the middle 90s," he added.

"Unfortunately, there is the risk of a thunderstorm in the evening, which can bring downpours, Kilners said, adding, "If only the Golden Dome was in place, maybe Trump could keep the storms away."

According to Weather.com, the highs may reach 81 degrees while the lowest temperature will be 66 degrees.

There is a 63% chance of rain and thunderstorms on Saturday with up to 92% humidity.

“We’re preparing for an enormous turnout,” Matt McCool of the Secret Service’s Washington Field office told Associated Press. He said that more than 18 miles of “anti-scale fencing” would be erected and “multiple drones” would be in the air. The entire District of Columbia is normally a no-fly zone for drones.

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Around 200,000 people to attend military parade

Army officials are expecting around 200,000 attendees for the evening military parade, and McCool is ready for "hundreds of thousands" of people.

"We have a ton of magnetometers," he stated. "If a million people show up, then we're going to have some lines."

A total of 175 magnetometers will be deployed at security checkpoints controlling access to the daytime birthday festival and the nighttime parade. Metropolitan Police Department chief Pamela Smith anticipates "major impacts to traffic" and advises attendees to arrive early and consider using the Metro instead of cars.

While addressing the crowd at Fort Bragg this week, Trump mentioned that Saturday would be a "big event" where the nation would "want to show off a little bit.

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"We're going to celebrate our greatness and our achievements. This week, we honor 250 years of valor and glory and triumph by the greatest fighting force ever to walk the face of the Earth: the United States Army," he declared, as the crowd cheered on.

The military parade has been classified as a National Special Security Event—placing it alongside major occasions such as presidential inaugurations and state funerals.

This designation is given to events expected to attract large crowds and possibly major protests, requiring an elevated level of security coordination. Oversight will fall to the Secret Service, with support from D.C. officials, the FBI, Capitol Police, and the Washington National Guard.