Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  We are starting this Wednesday off with cloudy skies, and it is muggy!  There have been even a few areas of mist being reported.  Temperatures are in the upper 60s to lower 70s. 

The unseasonably warm weather will continue again this afternoon.  Winds will still be out of the south, and they will transport the warm and humid airmass over us from the Gulf of Mexico.  This will give us a mix of clouds and sun all day.  A cold front is located to the northwest of Louisiana, and this front will be retreating back to the north today.  Showers and thunderstorms have develop along the front, and will remain there throughout the day.  Here in town we could see a few showers popping up this afternoon, but most of you will not see any rain.  High temperatures will be in the lower to mid 80s. 

Tonight, we will keep the clouds around, and we will remain mostly dry.  It is going to be very warm and muggy for this time of the year with temperatures only falling to near 70. 

Rest of the Week:  That cold front will remain northwest of Baton Rouge on Thursday, but will begin to slowly move toward us by Thursday night.  We will have another very warm day with partly cloudy skies, but a shower could pop-up during the afternoon hours.  Highs will be in the mid 80s.  On Thursday night, that cold front will be slowly moving toward us.  This will increase the clouds, and we will have a better chance for rain and a few thunderstorms.  Some of the storms could be strong.  Lows will be near 70s again. 

On Friday, that cold front will finally move through Baton Rouge.  It will set off scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms.  Some of the storms could be strong to severe.  The Storm Prediction Center has us in a Slight Risk for severe weather.  The main threats will be damaging winds and hail at this time.  It will still be warm ahead of the front with high temperatures in the lower 80s. 

Weekend Outlook:  Once the cold front moves through by Friday night, high pressure will build across the Southeast U.S., and this will make for an awesome weekend!  Much cooler air will follow the front, and that will help to really drop our temperatures on Saturday and Sunday.  Each day will have mostly sunny skies, with high temperatures in the upper 70s on Saturday, but only in the lower 70s on Sunday.  Overnight lows will actually be chilly!!  Lows will fall to the mid and upper 40s each night!  I wouldn't put the blanket away quite yet! 

Mississippi River Levels:  We are still keeping a close eye on the Mississippi River here in south Louisiana.  It continues to slowly rise, and all areas are now ABOVE Flood Stage.  Flood Warnings are out for all areas along the river as well.  However, we are protected from the levees.  Here are the latest stages, and crest levels, some have been raised due to recent rains north of here:

At Baton Rouge:  39.5 feet.  A River Flood Warning has been issued for this location.  The River is forecast to crest at 41 feet by Wednesday, April 16th.  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:  56.7 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 58.5 feet on Wednesday morning of April 16th.  All river islands and camps will be under water! 

At Donaldsonville:  29.2 feet.  Flood stage is 27.0 feet.  The river will crest at 30.5 feet on Wednesday April 16th.  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

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