‘Invisible Threat’ Could Make Saturday’s Mardi Gras Fun Miserable

(KMDL-FM) If you have plans to be outside along a parade route, at a festival, or participating in any Mardi Gras event on Saturday, there is an invisible and potentially annoying threat you're going to have to deal with. This threat could also enhance the "danger quotient" for Saturday's parades and events as well.

READ MORE: Know Before You Go - Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade Saturday

I am sure some of you are contemplating the term "invisible threat" and probably are wondering if we have inside information on secret ninja activity or something nefarious along those lines. No, this threat wouldn't be considered a threat unless you were at a Mardi Gras parade.

But it does bring an "air" of danger to any parade route where barricades and crowd control measures are not in place or in force. Incidentally, if you drive in Lafayette, Louisiana, this weekend, you will notice the barricades have "magically" reappeared along the parade route, so anticipate traffic congestion through Fat Tuesday in those parts of town.

READ MORE: What is the Weather Forecast For Saturday's Parades?

Based on forecasts from our weather partners at KATC Television and the National Weather Service, it does look as if the storm threat that is expected to move across Acadiana will happen after all the "fun is done" on Saturday. Right now, forecasters believe the threat of stronger storms and heavier rain will hold off until very late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

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What's The "Invisible Threat" To Be Aware of at Mardi Gras Parades on Saturday?

The "invisible threat" that will be a part of your Mardi Gras activities on Saturday has been chronicled in poems. Perhaps when you were in elementary school, you learned this one from author Christina Rossetti:

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

Wind is the enemy of every good Mardi Gras parade, and according to the forecast, we will have a lot of it. Why is that a "threat", you're probably asking?

High Winds Have a Profound Affect On Mardi Gras Throws

Revelers aboard Mardi Gras floats toss beads and other collectibles as they ride past. A strong wind, which is what we have forecast for Saturday, could blow those items back into the street in front of moving vehicles. That's where the "threat" comes in.

According to the National Weather Service, a steady breeze of 10-15 mph is forecast for Saturday afternoon. There will be gusts as high as 25 mph. That is more than enough wind resistance to affect the flight of any Mardi Gras "throw" that is tossed.

Revelers tossing into the wind will struggle to have their offerings reach the crowds. Those throwing with the wind will find their offerings tend to sail over the heads of those wanting beads, dubloons, and trinkets.

The Real Reason High Winds are Dangerous During Mardi Gras Parades

However, the real danger of high winds at Mardi Gras is the fact that collectibles get blown into the parade route, and unsuspecting or unsupervised children dart out into the roadway to grab them. Sometimes that "child" shows up in the form of an intoxicated adult, so there is that aspect as well.

Please remember, even though float drivers are driving slowly and cautiously, it will take time for that vehicle to stop. Also, any sudden stops along the parade route put the float riders at risk. So, please watch your kids and over-served friends.

Fortunately, Saturday's temperatures will be in the middle 70s, so you won't have a "wind chill" to deal with, but trust me, at some point on Saturday, you're going to be cursing the wind for some reason. We just wanted to give you a heads up.

By the way that same wind forecast on Saturday will make trying to wrangle Valentine's Balloons a royal pain in the butt. You might also wind up snapping off some of those roses from their stems because of the wind as well. Trust me, I know, I've lived it. Be Safe, mind the wind.