Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  We are starting off this April Fools Day with mostly cloudy skies, and even a few showers.  A dissipating squall line is moving from north to south in north Louisiana.  This line will likely fall apart before it gets to Baton Rouge, but showers are popping up ahead of it.  These showers are light and will continue through the morning commute.  It is very warm and muggy with temperatures around 70.

Strong Storms:  That area of thunderstorms will likely re-develop this afternoon.  Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms can be expected, and some of the storm could be strong to possibly severe.  A cold front will be moving across the Deep South, and this is what is setting off the storms.  The atmosphere around Baton Rouge will become very unstable today, and that another reason why we will have some storms. 

The Storm Prediction Center has placed our entire viewing area under a Slight Risk for severe weather today.  The main threat from the storms will be damaging winds.  The strongest storms will move through during the afternoon hours, or the hottest part of the day.  High temperatures today will be around 80. 

Here are some useful and important links to keep you up-to-the-minute with severe weather watches and warnings:

• Storm Prediction Center
• Latest Weather Watches
• Latest Warnings
• National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge

Tonight, the thunderstorms will dissipate, and we will be left with some scattered showers.  Otherwise, it will be mostly cloudy, and a little cooler in the wake of the cold front.  Lows will fall to the lower 60s. 

Week Ahead:  The clouds and rain will gradually move to the east on Wednesday, so look for some partly cloudy skies by the afternoon.  Temperatures will be in the upper 70s.  Thursday will remain dry as well with partly cloudy skies, and highs will be in the lower 80s. 

On Friday, another disturbance, and cold front will move across the Southeast U.S.  These systems will set off scattered showers and thunderstorms by Friday afternoon, and they will last through Friday night.  Some heavy rain could be possible.  High temperatures on Friday will be in the lower 80s. 

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.  Here are the latest stages:

At Baton Rouge:  35.1 feet.  A River Flood Warning has been issued for this location.  The River is forecast to crest at 39 feet by Tuesday morning, April 8.  Flood Stage is at 35 feet, however, we are protected by the levees that go to around 45 feet.  Click here for the latest on the Flood Warnings.

At Red River Landing:  52.3 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 55.5 feet on the morning of April 8th.  All river islands and camps will be under water! 

At Donaldsonville:  25.3 feet.  Flood stage is 27.0 feet.  The river will crest at 29.0 feet on the evening of April 8th.  A River Flood Warning is in effect for here as well.   

Of course if there are serious flooding concerns, then the Army Corp of Engineers 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 Service 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!

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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.