Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  Once again it is a very warm and muggy morning across the Baton Rouge area.  Temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s under mostly clear skies. 

By the afternoon, the large area of high pressure that has been sitting over us will be moving to the east.  This will allow for more southerly winds to come back to the area, and that will increase the moisture over us.  Breezy conditions are expected as an area of low pressure strengthens over Oklahoma, and this will tighten the pressure gradient between the high and the low.  Winds will be around 10 to 15 mph. 

With all of this new moisture in place, a few showers will be possible this afternoon.  Only about 20% of the area will actually see one, but that is better than none!  High temperatures will still be hot as they climb into the lower 90s.  The Heat Index will be 95 to 100. 

Tonight, any showers will dissipate, and then we will be left with partly cloudy skies.  It will remain very warm and humid with lows in the mid 70s. 

Weekend Outlook:  The hot and humid weather will last into the weekend as the large area of high pressure remains off to the east of us, and weakens.  Southerly winds will persist, and we will continue to have a chance of a stray shower or two each day due to the weaker ridge of high pressure.  Only about 20% of the area will see a daily shower.  Otherwise, it will be partly cloudy with highs in the lower 90s each day. 

Tropical Update:  The Atlantic tropical basin still looks pretty quiet.  There is an elongated trough of low pressure across the Western Caribbean, but nothing is expected to develop there.  Elsewhere, it is also calm, and tropical storm development is not expected through Friday. 

Mississippi River Levels:  The Mississippi River continues to fall slowly. Click here for the latest on the Flood Warnings.  Here are the latest stages as of this morning:

• Baton Rouge:  32.4 feet.  Flood Stage is at 35 feet.    
• Red River Landing:  49.2 feet.  Flood Stage is at 48 feet.  A river flood warning remains in effect! 

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