Hey, at least it’s not snow.
Otherwise, there is not much wiggle room in Saturday’s forecast. The National Weather Service says there is a 100 percent chance of rain for the Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade in Morristown.
It could be heavy at times, too. So fish out your biggest green umbrella and sunniest smile, because the parade committee says the march is on, barring any major changes in the predictions.
“The Irish are accustomed to the rain, so this should not be a problem for us. We have always been very lucky with the weather, so we are hoping that the rain will hold off until after two o’clock, but if it does rain we will still march,” Robyn Quinn, from the committee, said in a statement.
Up to three-quarters of an inch of precipitation is possible. The National Weather Service has issued a “hazardous weather outlook,” noting the possibility of flooding, although “the probability of widespread hazardous weather is low.”
The parade has been postponed only twice in its nearly 40-year history: By a snowstorm in 1993, and by heavy winds that blew over porta-johns in 2010. That parade was re-staged in April.
“The Irish are used to the rain,” Quinn said. “We are happy it is not snow and the temperatures will be in the 50s. As Hal Roach, an Irish Comedian, said: ‘You know it’s summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer.'”
Quinn is hoping for a rainbow — and a pot of gold for area charities. Last year’s parade raised $40,000 for charities and cultural organizations, she said.
Parade officials will be monitoring the forecasts closely, of course.
“Should it appear that there would be a safety issue with the parade, we do have an emergency safety date, March 21,” Quinn said.
If parade plans change, we will report them here. You also can check the parade’s Facebook page and website or tune into WMTR (1250 am).
Otherwise, give a wet wave to Morristown Green’s resilient team, marching near the back of Division II!
MORE COVERAGE OF THE 2015 ST. PATRICK’S PARADE
Irish Blessing:
May the blessing of the rain be on you—
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.
Tee Taieg Tay, shouldnt this have been rescheduled ? Looks like dozens attended and almost a hundred dollars was raised …