LOUISIANA WEATHER 01-09-10

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: Today will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms mainly after midnight. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after noon. Winds will be out of the south between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of isolated showers before midnight then a gradual clearing. Thursday through Sunday will be mostly sunny and clear each day.
Temperatures: Tuesday: 71/60, Wednesday: 71/53, Thursday: 73/47, Friday: 67/45, Saturday: 66/41, Sunday: 68/45
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will become better developed through the day with the isolated threat that some storms will produce winds in excess of 60 mph; large hail and isolated tornados are possible. Activity is expected to taper off after sunset. Isolated severe weather is possible on Wednesday with the approach of a Texas cold front. Showers and thunderstorms may organize in lines. Frequent lightning and localized heavy rain are the primary threats. Showers and thunderstorms will be coming to an end from west to east by Wednesday evening as the cold front exits into southeast Louisiana.

The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City is currently at 4.79 feet (minor flood stage). Minor flooding is occurring. Flood stage is 4.0 feet. The river is expected to continue to slowly fall throughout the next couple of days. At 4 to 5 feet, water may move up the bank and across access roads below the city dock. Floodwall gates should be closed by the 5 foot stage to protect against higher stages. Vessel traffic will be affected by stronger river current and vessel traffic safety rules will be strictly enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard. The impact on river side industry will lessen as the river begins to recede.

The Sabine River at Deweyville is currently at 24.04 feet (minor flood stage). Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 24.0 feet. The river will continue rising to near 24.9 feet by Friday evening then begin falling. At 24.0 feet, minor lowland flooding will occur. Low lying roads in southwestern Beauregard Parish including Robert Clark Road will have water over them.

SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA: Today through this evening will be mostly cloudy with a 50 to 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Wednesday will be cloudy and breezy with a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be out of the south between 10 and 20 mph. Wednesday night will be cloudy with a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before midnight. Thursday through Sunday will be partly to mostly sunny and clear each day.
Temperatures: Tuesday: 64/59, Wednesday: 67/60, Thursday: 73/52, Friday: 69/50, Saturday: 64/46, Sunday: 66/46
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Scattered to numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected through tonight. The best chance for thunderstorms will be north of the Interstate 10 and 12 corridors this afternoon and tonight. An isolated strong thunderstorm is possible. Small Craft Advisory conditions are expected to develop late Wednesday and Wednesday night as onshore flow increases.

CENTRAL LOUISIANA: Today will be mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be out of the south between 10 and 15 mph. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly after midnight. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Wednesday night will be cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight then a gradual clearing. Thursday through Sunday will be mostly sunny and clear each day.
Temperatures: Tuesday: 70/59, Wednesday: 72/54, Thursday: 74/47, Friday: 66/42, Saturday: 62/42, Sunday: 67/43
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will become better developed through the day with the isolated threat that some storms will produce winds in excess of 60 mph; large hail and isolated tornados are possible. Activity is expected to taper off after sunset. Isolated severe weather is possible on Wednesday with the approach of a Texas cold front. Showers and thunderstorms may organize in lines. Frequent lightning and localized heavy rain are the primary threats. Showers and thunderstorms will be coming to an end from west to east by Wednesday evening as the cold front exits into southeast Louisiana.

The Calcasieu River near Glenmora is currently at 12.9 feet (minor flood stage). Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 12 to 16 feet. The river will continue to fall to below flood stage by Friday morning. At 12 feet, when the river is rising some roads upstream from Glenmora, including Strothers crossing road near the community of Calcasieu and Price Crossing Road near Hineston have water on them and are subject to being closed. At 12 feet, when the river is falling, flooding of forested areas near the river may occur.

NORTHERN LOUISIANA: Today will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms while tonight will be mostly cloudy. Winds will be out of the south around 15 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms decreasing to a 30 percent chance of showers overnight. Thursday will be mostly sunny turning mostly cloudy overnight with a 20 percent chance of showers. Friday through Sunday will be partly to mostly sunny each day and partly to mostly cloudy each night.
Temperatures: Tuesday: 74/57, Wednesday: 72/48, Thursday: 73/44, Friday: 64/44, Saturday: 61/43, Sunday: 63/43
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: No hazardous weather to report

Bodcau Bayou at Bayou Bodcau Lake is currently at 177.5 feet (minor flood stage). Minor flood stage is between 172 and 192 feet. The river will continue to fall to a stage of 177.1 feet by Wednesday morning. Between 170 to192 feet, expect minor lowland flooding along the lake. Red Chute Bayou below the lake may be at bank full. Some secondary roadways may suffer flooding.