Dallas won’t be having its Veterans Day Parade in downtown on Monday morning as planned.

Organizers canceled the parade on Sunday afternoon, saying the forecast for severe weather during the event's time frame had raised "overwhelming safety concerns."

The weather is expected to be cold and cloudy with a strong chance of rain. The high is expected to be 46 degrees, with 20 to 30 mph winds.

“The Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation regrets that tomorrow's Veterans Day parade has been canceled due to safety concerns related to the weather,” spokesman John Lester said. “We would like to thank all the participants who were scheduled to participate in the parade. We are especially thankful for the volunteers who each year donate their time and money to make the Greater Dallas Veterans Day Parade an event that solemnly honors our nation's veterans and service members.”

The parade had been scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., with related events beginning at 9:30.

Organizers intend to have a small ceremony Monday morning for those who were heavily involved in the parade planning, big donors and people who were called on for ceremonial duties and speeches. The gathering, which takes place indoors at City Hall, is an annual closed event that occurs just before the parade.

This year, with the parade canceled, it will serve as a place to recognize the group’s efforts and plans.

Parade operator and military veteran Doug Gagliano said this is the first time the parade has been canceled since its founding in 1998.

Gagliano said discussions of cancellation began Saturday and were finalized Sunday morning as organizers saw the latest forecasts. Planners became concerned about having older veterans and high school students, who march as members of bands, ROTC and more in the parade, out in the harsh weather, he said.

"I consider us fortunate that we've had so many years" without having to cancel, Gagliano said. "Once in 18 or 20 years? I'll take that any day."