Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  We are starting this Friday off with partly to mostly cloudy skies, and it is muggy.  Southerly winds are in place, and this is ushering in warm and humid air.  Temperatures are in the lower 70s. 

A strong cold front will move through the Baton Rouge area this afternoon and evening.  As it makes its way here, it will tap into the warm and humid air, and this will set off scattered showers and thunderstorms.  We are not expecting anything widespread, but about 40-60% of the area will see rain.  These storms could become strong to severe.  The main threats would be damaging winds and hail for us.  The Storm Prediction Center has placed us in a Slight Risk for severe weather, however, we are not expecting a major event with this.  Click on the image to the right for the latest Outlook. 

Tonight, the cold front will move through, and the storms will move through as well.  A squall line will accompany the front, and once it moves through, the storms will end.  Again, some of the storms could be strong this evening.  It will become much cooler with lows in the upper 50s. 

Weekend Forecast:  High pressure will build in across the Southeast U.S. behind the cold front, and this will make for some beautiful weather all weekend!  It will also draw in less humid northerly winds, and this will make is significantly cooler Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday, expect mostly sunny skies with highs in the lower 70s.  Saturday night will be clear, and chilly with lows falling to the mid 40s!  Sunday will be sunny and cool with highs around 70, and lows in the lower 40s.  Brrrrrr!! 

Next Week Outlook:  The unseasonably cool weather will last into the first part of next week.  The skies will remain sunny through Monday, then we will have some partly cloudy skies Tuesday through Thursday as more moisture comes back.  High temperatures will be in 70s, and lows in the 40s to start the week. 

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:  40.7 feet.  A River Flood Warning has been issued for this location.  The River is forecast to crest at 42.0 feet by April 21st.  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:  57.9 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 59.5 feet on the morning of April 21st.  All river islands and camps will be under water! 

At Donaldsonville:  30.2 feet.  Flood stage is 27.0 feet.  The river will crest at 31.0 feet on April 18th.  A River Flood Warning is in effect for here as well.   

**The Bonnet Carre Spillway will be opened TODAY to releive some of the pressure on the levees in New Orleans!!**

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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