Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

. . .Some Strong Storms Are Possible Today. . .

Short Term:  We begin this Wednesday morning with mostly cloudy skies, and even a few showers.  It is much warmer and more humid with temperatures in the lower 70s. 

This afternoon will be another warm one, but we are expecting to have scattered showers and thunderstorms across the entire viewing area.  This will be some much needed rain!  These storms are part of a stalled cold front that is located northwest of Louisiana.  This front will be sitting in place for the next 2 days.  Small disturbances will be moving out of Texas and riding along the front.  As they do this, they will tap into the very warm and humid air mass in place over Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.  High temperatures will be in the mid 80s today. 

Thunderstorms will develop from that, and move to the east.  Some of these storms will become strong to severe.  The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed all of Louisiana and much of Mississippi in a Slight Risk for severe weather today.  The main threats with the storms will be damaging winds and hail.  We could also have heavy rain.  Click on the Image to the right for more information.

The thunderstorms will continue tonight, but not be as widespread.  Some of the storms could still be strong, but the main threat will be heavy rain.  Low temperatures will fall to the lower 70s. 

Rest of the Week:  The stalled front will remain in place for Thursday, and the rains will continue.  Again, thunderstorms will develop with the daytime heating, and move to the east.  Some of the storms could move pretty slow, and heavy rain is likely.  Rainfall totals could be around 1 to 2 inches in a few places.  Temperatures will climb to the lower to mid 80s. 

Finally on Friday, the cold front will get a nudge forward from an upper-level low.  This will allow the cold front to move through Baton Rouge by Friday morning.  Once it does, it will put an end to the rain, and look for a "cooler" day.  It will also become less humid and very comfortable.  High temperatures will be around 80.  On Friday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and our low temperatures will be in the upper 50s. 

Weekend Outlook:  High pressure will build in over the weekend, and this will make for a nice one!  Partly cloudy skies are expected on both Saturday and Sunday, and it will remain warm.  Highs on Saturday will be in the lower 80s, but will be in the upper 80s on Sunday. 

Mississippi River Levels:  The Mississippi River is SLOWLY falling. Click here for the latest on the Flood Warnings.  Here are the latest stages as of this morning:

Baton Rouge:  35.8 feet.  Flood Stage is at 35 feet. 

Red River Landing:  52.8 feet.  Flood Stage is at 48 feet.  

The Following links can be used to get the latest River Levels across SE Louisiana:
National Weather Service River Summary
USGS River Levels

If you would like to have the Weather Blog in your e-mail Inbox every morning during the week, click here and sign up for FREE! 

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.