🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
People planning to attend "No Kings" rallies to protest against President Donald Trump's policies on Saturday could face rain, thunderstorms, and challenging heat.
Why It Matters
Multiple groups are planning demonstrations against a military parade set for June 14 in the nation's capital. The event coincides with Trump's 79th birthday, the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, and Flag Day.
What To Know
Protesters in Southeast California can expect temperatures to reach up to 107 Fahrenheit, according to a National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for Saturday evening.
Demonstrators in Southern Arizona will also experience hot weather this weekend, with highs reaching the triple digits, says an extreme heat warning in effect as of Friday morning.
New Mexico too will experience challenging heat, reaching 107 in parts, according to the map.
A separate forecast map from the NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) shows some 10 states are in with a chance of severe weather on Saturday.
A swathe of the U.S, ranging from southwest Texas all the way to Montana, covering some 424,000 square miles, is affected.
Areas facing the highest risk of thunderstorms included northwest Nebraska, southwest South Dakota, northeast Wyoming, and southeast Montana.
"Scattered severe storms capable of large hail and isolated damaging wind gusts will be possible across parts of the central and northern High Plains Saturday afternoon and evening," said the SPC. "Marginally severe storms will also be possible in parts of southern and central Plains."
As for rain, a forecast map for 1 p.m. on Saturday from the NWS showed a 99 percent chance of rain across a large portion of West Virginia. Chances in parts of Montana were the high 70s, while there was an 81 percent chance in some regions of Pennsylvania.
A "No Kings" rally was set to take place on the president's 79th birthday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Florida Historic Capitol, 400 S Monroe St, as part of a nationwide protest against Trump's agenda.
Further protests are expected across the country, including in San Diego, California, where a rally was scheduled for from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 1200 Third Ave.
Meanwhile, a demonstration was scheduled to take place in New York City on June 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bryant Park, located at 5th Ave. and East 41st St.
What People Are Saying
Organizers of the protests say on the "No Kings" website: "On June 14—Flag Day—Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.
"Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption."
President Donald Trump said on Meet the Press in May about the parade: "I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday. Somebody put it together. But no, I think we're going to do something on June 14, maybe or somewhere around there. But I think June 14—it's a very important day."
What Happens Next
Forecasters previously told Newsweek that those attending the military parade itself may need to watch the skies and pack rain gear, as showers may affect the Washington, D.C. area on Saturday.
fairness meter
About the writer
Joe Edwards is a Live News Reporter based in Newsweek's London Bureau. He covers topics related to weather, climate, and ... Read more