Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

. . .More Severe Weather Possible Today. . .

. . .Tornado Watch in effect until 11 AM. . .
. . .Flash Flood Watch in effect Through Tonight. . .

Short Term / Severe Weather:  Strong to Severe thunderstorms will be moving across the Capital City area this morning.  These storms will contain strong damaging winds, hail, and possibly a few tornadoes.  We are in a Slight Risk for severe weather again today.  These storms are part of the same system that set off the severe weather across the Baton Rouge area yesterday. 

We are also expecting very heavy rain today, and flash flooding is also likely especially with rainfall totals of around 4.00 inches yesterday.  Please watch streams, creeks, drainage ditches and local small rivers today for rapid rises.  It is also warm and muggy with temperatures in the lower 70s this morning.  Click on the image to the right for the lastest from the Storm Prediction Center.

The thunderstorms will continue into the afternoon, and they could still be strong to severe with the same threats.  These storms are being set off by a slow moving cold front that is still located back into Texas.  Along the front, small disturbances are riding along it, and they are helping to set off the strong storms.  Plus a low-level jet stream is ushing in the warm, moist and unstable air from the Gulf of Mexico.  You add in all of these factors, and you get the strong to severe thunderstorms.  Very heavy rain can also be expected today.  Rainfall totals could be around 2 to 4 inches once again.  That is why there is a Flash Flood Watch out through tonight!!  It will be warm this afternoon with temperatures in the lower 80s. 

The storms will taper off to some showers overnight as the cold front finally makes its way toward Baton Rouge.  A few thunderstorms can be expected as the front moves through during early Friday morning.  Lows will be in the upper 60s. 

Weekend Outlook:  On Friday, that cold front will finally push through the region, and that will put an end to the severe weather.  The skies will gradually break up, and we will have partly cloudy skies by the afternoon.  It will be cooler with high temperatures in the upper 70s.  On Friday night, the skies will clear, and it will be cool with lows in the upper 50s.  Very refreshing!! 

Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny as high pressure sits over the area.  This will also bring in some less humid air as northerly winds move over us.  High temperatures will be in the mid 80s both days. 

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:  35.7 feet.  Flood Stage is at 35 feet. 

Red River Landing:  52.5 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

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