Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  We are dealing with some cold weather this morning!  Under clear skies, the mercury has fallen to the mid 30s across the viewing area.  In places across the Felicianas, and southern Mississippi, temperatures are near freezing!  However, a long freeze is not expected.  Be sure to grab that warm coat as you head out this morning! 

You will not need that warm coat this afternoon!  The area of high pressure that was sitting over us yesterday has now moved to the east, and this will bring back the southerly winds today.  We will still have plenty of sunny skies, but it will be warmer.  High temperatures will be in the lower 70s. 

Tonight, the southerly winds will continue, and that will help to keep the temperatures up.  We will also have a few clouds as some moisture returns to the area.  Lows will fall to near 50. 

Week Ahead:  The pleasant weather will last into Wednesday and Thursday, and it will gradually become warmer each day.  You can expect partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid to upper 70s. 

On Friday, a cold front will be approaching Louisiana, but it looks like it will remain to the north of Baton Rouge.  However, it will be close enough to give us more clouds, and also a few showers.  It will still be warm with highs in the lower 80s. 

Weekend Outlook:  That front will likely stall north of Baton Rouge, and eventually dissipate.  It will help to set off isolated showers and thunderstorms on both Saturday and Sunday.  We will not have a wash out, but you might have to dodge a shower or two.  It will remain warm as the southerly winds will still be in place, and our highs will be in the lower 80s.  A second cold front will move through on next Tuesday, and that will put an end to the rain. 

Mississippi River Levels:  The Mississippi River continues to rise here in south Louisiana from the recent rains across the Mid-Mississippi River and Ohio River Valleys.  Currently the the river in Baton Rouge was at 31.9 feet.  A River Flood Warning has been issued for this location.  The River is forecast to crest at 39 feet by Monday, April 7th.  Flood Stage is at 35 feet, however, we are protected by the levees that go to around 44-48 feet.  Click here for the latest on the Flood Warnings.

The Mississippi River at red River Landing is currently at 48.6 feet.  Flood Stage is at 48 feet, and a River Flood Warning is in effect here as well.  The river is forecast to crest here at 56 feet on the morning of April 6th.  All river islands and camps will be under water! 

Of course if there are serious flooding concerns, then the Army Corp of Enginners will open the flood gates in Morganza, and along the Bonnet Carre Spillway in New Orleans to relieve the pressure on the levees.

The Following links can be used to get the latest River Levels across SE Louisiana:

• National Weather Serivce River Summary
• USGS River Levels

We will continue to closely watch the river as it rises over the next week!  Keep it tuned to News 2 for updates!

Fire Weather:  A Red Flag WARNING is in place from 12:00 PM today until 6:00 PM for Amite, Pike, and Wilkinson Counties in our viewing area.  This means that the relative humidity levels will be lower than 35%, and the winds will be around 10 to 15 mph.  That environment will be very favorable for brush fires to start.  Try to refrain from burning anything in these locations today!! 

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Remember you can always get the latest forecast and radar information on Cox Cable channel 18 or Digital Cable channel 125, on www.2theadvocate.com/weather, or by calling the Weather 2 forecast line at (225) 336-2375.