LOUISIANA WEATHER - April 23, 2010

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: Today there is a 40% chance for thunderstorms throughout the day. Saturday has a 50% chance of thunderstorms with mostly clear skies in the evening. Sunday through Tuesday is forecast to be sunny and clear to cloudy in the evenings.
Temperatures: Today: 80/70, Saturday: 80/59, Sunday: 81/57, Monday: 79/51, Tuesday: 79/59
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: A strong upper level storm system will move into the southern plains during the day and allow for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop across the area. Increasing atmospheric instability and strengthening wind shear profiles indicate that any storms that develop may become strong to severe during the late morning and afternoon hours. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are all possible in the stronger storms. The highest risk for severe weather will be across central and south central Louisiana. A break in precipitation is expected during the evening hours as a strong capping inversion limits activity. After midnight, the upper level storm system will move across the area with a second round of scattered showers and thunderstorms expected by sunrise. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will be possible with any thunderstorms that develop. The highest risk for severe weather will be across central and south central Louisiana. As the upper level storm system and associated cold front move across the region early Saturday, additional showers and thunderstorms are expected area wide. All precipitation will come to an end Saturday afternoon as the cold front moves rapidly eastward away from the area.

The Atchafalya River at Morgan City is currently at 4.66 feet (Minor flood stage). Minor flood stage is from 4 to 7 feet. The river is expected to recede over the next few days. At 4 to 5 feet, water may move up the bank and across access roads below the city dock.

SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA: Today there is a 40% chance for thunderstorms during throughout the day. Saturday has a 90% chance of thunderstorms and gradually clearing in the evening. Sunday through Tuesday is forecast to be sunny and mostly clear in the evenings.
Temperatures: Today: 81/69, Saturday: 80/61, Sunday: 83/58, Monday: 81/54, Tuesday: 79/57
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in advance of an approaching spring storm mainly during the afternoon and evening hours today. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes. Winds and seas will continue to increase to around 25 mph over all marine areas today through Saturday. Small craft advisories are posted today through Saturday for most areas. Winds will ease tonight for a short while before increasing once again Saturday. Strong to severe thunderstorms will continue to be possible Saturday as a cold front slowly moves through the area. A moderate risk of severe weather will exist over the northern half of the area while a slight risk of severe thunderstorms will cover the southern half. Damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes will all be possible. The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City will remain above flood stage through the weekend.

CENTRAL LOUISIANA: Today there is a 40% chance for thunderstorms throughout the day. Saturday has a 50% chance of thunderstorms with mostly clear skies in the evening. Sunday through Tuesday is forecast to be sunny and clear to cloudy in the evenings.
Temperatures: Today:: 81/70, Saturday: 79/57, Sunday: 80/55, Monday: 78/54, Tuesday: 78/56
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: A strong upper level storm system will move into the southern plains during the day and allow for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop across the area. Increasing atmospheric instability and strengthening wind shear profiles indicate that any storms that develop may become strong to severe during the late morning and afternoon hours. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are all possible in the stronger storms. The highest risk for severe weather will be across central and south central Louisiana. A break in precipitation is expected during the evening hours as a strong capping inversion limits activity. After midnight...the upper level storm system will move across the area with a second round of scattered showers and thunderstorms expected by sunrise. Large hail, damaging winds...and tornadoes will be possible with any thunderstorms that develop. The highest risk for severe weather will be across central and south central Louisiana. As the upper level storm system and associated cold front move across the region early Saturday, additional showers and thunderstorms are expected area wide. The highest risk for severe weather will be across central and south central Louisiana. All precipitation will come to an end Saturday afternoon as the cold front moves rapidly eastward away from the area.

NORTHERN LOUISIANA: Today there is a 50-60% chance for thunderstorms throughout the day. Saturday has a 70% chance of thunderstorms with mostly clear skies in the evening. Sunday through Tuesday is forecast to be sunny and cloudy in the evenings, except for Monday evening has a 20% chance of thunderstorms.
Temperatures: Today: 78/65, Saturday: 77/56, Sunday: 76/53, Monday: 75/54, Tuesday: 77/56.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: A vigorous storm system is forecast to move across the region late this afternoon into this evening. A combination of unstable air, strong wind shear and increased low-level moisture will allow for an environment conducive to strong to severe thunderstorms, with the main threat being damaging winds, hail, isolated tornadoes and flash flooding. A secondary upper-level disturbance will allow for a continued threat of severe weather Saturday morning from around 3 am through noon across the majority of the four state region. Rainfall amounts approaching three inches can be expected along a line from Jacksonville Texas., through Shreveport and into El Dorado Arkansas. Along with heavy rainfall, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes will be possible.