Severe Storms Marching Across Louisiana This Morning

The National Weather Service Radar scan out of the Lake Charles Forecast Office is what a lot of us would call "full" this morning. The image you see below is from that radar as of 0100 this morning. You can see all the reds and yellows, that denote heavier rain and stronger storms. The bad news is that forecasters believe this storm system will get stronger over time.

That was the radar at 0100 if you'd like to get a live look at the National Weather Service Radar you may click here for the current scan. 

The severe weather threat across Louisiana today is no surprise. Forecasters outlined this particular threat nearly a week ago and now that threat has come to fruition. The Storm Prediction Center just released an updated forecast just before 0100 CDT and here is a snapshot of where the SPC feels the worst of the weather will be.

Almost all of Louisiana is forecast to have an "enhanced risk" of severe thunderstorms today. That means that there is a strong likelihood of numerous severe storms. Forecast storms in this area will be more persistent and intense. Cities included in this area of concern include Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.

You can see a red area on the graphic above. That represents where forecasters believe there is a "moderate risk" of severe storms. This is basically where forecasters have placed the bullseye for Mother Nature today. That area does include parts of Louisiana but is confined mainly to southern Mississippi.

As far as the timing of when the worst of the weather will be where in the state that is always a tough task for forecasters to determine. The thinking right now is for the heavier storms to arrive in the Lake Charles area around sunrise. The individual storms will track northeastward while the entire line will move in a more easterly direction. This motion will have the storms affecting the Lafayette area by mid-morning or closer to lunchtime.

Chief Meteorologist Rob Perillo with KATC Television suggested in his 10 p.m. weather segment that some of the storms passing through Acadiana this morning could have wind gusts above 50 mph.

High Winds Are Just One of the Hazards Louisiana Could Face Today

In addition to wind gusts over tropical storm strength, many of these storms will carry the potential for very heavy rainfall too. There is a risk of excessive rainfall with many of these storms. However, forecasters with the Weather Prediction Center believe the heaviest rains will fall north of US 190 and along and south of I-20.

Of course, the larger storms will have other threats to be concerned with besides the heavy rain and gusty winds. Among those is the possibility of rotating storms or tornadoes and large hail too.

The good news with this system is that it does appear to moving eastward at a fairly good pace. This should mean that the worst of the weather in cities like Lake Charles and Shreveport will be over later this afternoon. Conditions in Lafayette should start to improve by lunchtime or shortly after. Cities further to the east such as Baton Rouge and New Orleans can expect the storms to arrive later today and move out later this afternoon and evening.

Weekend Forecast for Louisiana Looks to be Much Improved

Once this area of inclement weather passes through the state Louisiana should have several very nice days of weather. The outlook for Thursday through the weekend calls for sunny skies and seasonable temperatures. By next week daytime highs in southern Louisiana could reach the middle 80s, can the 90s be too far behind?

You might want to get a jump start on the "too hot" season by taking care of some of these things right now.