Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

I hope that you and your family have a very Happy Easter! 

Short Term:  It was a beautiful weekend for Easter as we had plenty of sunny skies, and we are starting this Easter Monday off with clear skies.  However, it is a chilly morning with temperatures around 40.  Be sure to grab your coat as you head out the door. 

This afternoon will be another fantastic one with sunny skies, but it will be cool.  A cold front moved through Sunday night, and that is drawing in the cool northerly winds.  High temperatures will be in the mid 60s as high pressure sits over us. 

Tonight, we will once again have clear skies, but we will have good radational cooling.  This will allow the temperatures to be even colder.  Lows will fall to the upper 30s in Baton Rouge, but in southern Mississippi, lows could get to around freezing!  Be sure to cover any plants so they don't get burned by the possible frost! 

Week Ahead:  High pressure will be sliding to the east, and this will allow for those southerly winds to return on Tuesday.  We will have mostly sunny skies, and it will become warmer.  Highs will be in the lower 70s. 

The warming trend continues on Wednesday, and we will have a few more clouds popping up since there will be more moisture in the air.  Highs will be in the mid 70s.  Partly cloudy skies will greet us on Thursday, and it will continue to warm up with afternoon highs in the upper 70s. 

On Friday, a cold front will move near Louisiana.  The computer forecast models are showing the front, but they do not move it through Baton Rouge.  This means we will still have warm temperatures, but it will be close enough to set off a few showers.  High temperatures will be in the lower 80s. 

River Levels:  In light of the recent rains in the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys, major flooding has occurred there.  These waters will slowly make their way down the Mississippi River, and into Baton Rouge. 

At this time, the River stage in Baton Rouge on the Mississippi was at 31.3 feet.  Flood Stage is 35 feet, but with the levees we will be protected to around 44-45 feet.  The river is forecast to crest at 39 feet on April 8th. 

The Mississippi River at Red River Landing is currently under a Flood WARNING as the current level is at 48 feet.  Flood Stage is at 48 feet.  The river is forecast to crest at 56 feet on April 7th.  Click here for more information on the Flood Warning.

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