Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

. . .Warmer Temperatures Return Today. . .

Short Term:  It is another clear and chilly morning across the Capital City.  It is not as cold as the record low we hit yesterday of 36.  However, we will come close to the record low for today at 39 degrees set back in 1983 as our morning temperatures will fall to near 40.  Areas in southern Mississippi and across the Felicianas could have some frost to start the day with temperatures in the 30s.

It will be much warmer this afternoon!  The area of high pressure that has been sitting over us for the last 2 day will be moving to the east.  As it does, we will shift the winds from the north to the south.  These southerly winds will usher in warmer air from the Gulf of Mexico.  Afternoon high temperatures will climb into the lower 70s with mostly sunny skies. 

Tonight, the southerly winds will continue, and this will make it much warmer than it has been.  We will have mostly clear skies with lows in the lower 50s.   

Rest of the Week:  That area of high pressure will remain along the East Coast, and the southerly winds will continue here.  You will notice it becoming more humid tomorrow, and we will have more clouds around too.  Temperatures will be warming to the upper 70s with partly cloudy skies. 

On Friday, a cold front will move across Louisiana.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead and along the front.  These storms will move into Baton Rouge starting in the afternoon and will continue overnight.  Some of the storms could be strong with gusty winds and heavy rain.  Temperatures will be down a few degrees because of the rain with highs in the mid 70s. 

Weekend Outlook:  Once the cold front moves through by Early Saturday morning, the skies will become partly cloudy as high pressure moves into the Southeast U.S.  We are not going to have a cool down with this cold front, but rather get warmer.  The reason is that the airmass behind this front is coming from the Tropical Pacific verses the Arctic.  With that in mind, Saturday and Sunday will have high temperatures in the lower 80s. 

Mississippi River Levels:  This Mississippi River continues to rise across South Louisiana.  Some flooding has occurred around the St. Francisville area, and some seepage is occurring across the Baton Rouge area.  We will continue to see a small rise on the river before it crests next week.  Here are the latest stages, and crest levels, and they have been raised:

At Baton Rouge:  41.9 feet.  A River Flood Warning has been issued for this location.  The River is forecast to crest at 42.5 feet by April 22nd.  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:  59.2 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 60.0 feet on the morning of April 22nd.  All river islands and camps will be under water! 

At Donaldsonville:  30.7 feet.  Flood stage is 27.0 feet.  The river will crest at 31.5 feet on April 22nd  A River Flood Warning is in effect for here as well.   

**The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened Friday to relieve some of the pressure on the levees in New Orleans!!  However, this will have very little effect on the river levels here in Baton Rouge.

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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