Zulu and Rex parades, the climax of New Orleans' carnival season, will roll early on Fat Tuesday with pared-down ensembles due to forecasts of high wind.

But today, New Orleans threw the biggest free party in the world.Latest forecast | Download the WDSU Parade Tracker app | Full schedule of parades Sign up for our NewslettersThis year weather concerns bumped parade times up from their normal schedule.

Zulu and Rex will both roll early with no marching krewes, bands or truck floats in an effort to beat the high winds expected to hit the metro area on Fat Tuesday. The announcement comes as other parishes announced cancellations or earlier start times for parades.

With strong winds in the forecast on Tuesday, Mardi Gras parades in Jefferson Parish have been canceled, and two parades in New Orleans have adjusted their plans, WDSU and Fox 8 reported.

Heavy winds headed for New Orleans on Fat Tuesday appear poised to cancel two of the city's climactic Carnival events, the Zulu and Rex parades, after officials said they would stop the parades from rolling if the forecast worsened.

After so nearly being canceled yesterday due to the threat of severe weather, the parades are still rolling with as much delirious vim as any year. It’s a good day to be on the second floor of NOLA & Co.

The changes come as inclement weather is expected to hit the city in early hours. WGNO meteorologists are predicting that winds are expected to reach 40 to 60 mph posing a threat