Mardi Gras is going to be a rough one weather-wise for the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, with the threat of dangerously high winds arriving early and thunderstorms in the afternoon, including the possibility of a few tornadoes and even hail, the National Weather Service says.

Severe weather alerts caused Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans and other cities throughout the U.S. to be moved up or canceled.