The threat of severe weather on Tuesday prompted officials to move up the start time for three Mardi Gras parades in Covington.

Jefferson Parish canceled its parades, and officials in New Orleans were warily watching the Tuesday forecast.

Day in New Orleans will look a bit different this year, as the city is changing times and routes for the Zulu and Rex parades because of severe weather forecasts.  The storied Zulu Social Aide & Pleasure Club's parade will roll on a shortened route starting at 7 a.

The Krewe of Argus and Elks Krewe of Jeffersonians, originally scheduled to roll in Jefferson Parish on Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, March 4, are canceled due to the anticipated inclement weather. Jefferson Parish officials are continuing to work with krewes on the possibility of rescheduling both parades;

Jefferson Parish officials are canceling Mardi Gras Day parades because they are worried strong winds could flip floats, send tents flying and create other unsafe conditions. Why it matters: It's the first time the holiday's parades have been canceled in recent memory,

The severe weather has already led Jefferson Parish to cancel its two Mardi Gras day parades. There was no word yet from New Orleans officials on whether parades would be rescheduled there, which would require the massive security coordination put in place in the wake of the Jan.