Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  We are starting the day out with very warm and breezy conditions.  It is cloudy with strong southerly winds gusting to 20 mph at times.  These winds are allowing it to be very warm with temperatures in the lower 70s. 

This afternoon will be another unseasonably warm one with mostly cloudy skies.  A few showers are possible for about 20-30% of the area.  It will remain breezy as well as a cold front moves toward Louisiana.  This cold front is expected to set off numerous thunderstorms across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois.  Those storms are going to be capable of spawning tornadoes.  If you are traveling to Little Rock, Memphis, or St. Louis today be sure to keep an eye on the weather.  Fortunately for us, the bad storms will stay away from here.  We will feel like summer in Louisiana with high temperatures in the mid 80s. 

Tonight, that cold front will move closer to us, and this will spark off a few showers and thunderstorms.  Any storm that develops could become strong with gusty winds.  However, we are not expecting anything widespread.  It will remain warm and breezy with lows in the lower 70s. 

Weekend Forecast:  On Friday, that cold front will move through Baton Rouge.  This front will bring a squall line of thunderstorms through the city during the day.  These storms could be strong to severe, and the Storm Prediction Center has us in a Slight Risk for severe weather.  Temperatures will be in the 80s again.  Be sure to keep it tuned to News 2 for the latest severe weather updates, if needed. 

Once the cold front moves through, the rain will end, but some clouds will likely linger on Saturday.  You can expect partly to mostly cloudy skies, and it will become cooler with highs in the mid 70s as an area of high pressure builds across the Southeast.  Saturday night will be mostly clear, but much colder than it has been.  Low temperatures will fall to the mid 40s!  Brrrr!

On Sunday, the clouds will move out, and we will have plenty of sunshine!  It will be cool with highs only getting to around 70.  Sunday night will be another chilly night with lows in the lower 40s. 

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.  Some minor flooding is being seen north of Baton Rouge around St. Francisville.  Here are the latest stages, and crest levels:

At Baton Rouge:  40.1 feet.  A River Flood Warning has been issued for this location.  The River is forecast to crest at 41.0 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:  57.2 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:  29.7 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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