LOUISIANA WEATHER - June 10, 2010

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA: Today has a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms with a decrease to 20 percent chance in the evening. Friday through Monday has a 20 percent slight chance of thunderstorms each day.
Temperatures: Today: 92/77, Friday: 94/77, Saturday: 92/77, Sunday: 93/76, Monday: 93/75.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: An upper level low moving into northeast Texas today will still trigger showers and thunderstorms across interior southeast Texas as one or more disturbance brushes this area. Elsewhere, rain chances decrease markedly as you move further away from this upper level disturbance. Tonight, shower and thunderstorm activity will cease early due to the loss of daytime heating. Due to the high moisture content, locally heavy rainfall will be possible this evening. Rainfall rates will be 1 to 2 inches per hour which may cause some street flooding if this rainfall occurs over urban areas. Frequent cloud to ground lightning will also be possible. Friday through Wednesday the upper low will exit the region so rain chances will decrease and a more stable pattern will develop. Maximum afternoon heat index values from Friday into the weekend will range from 102 to 105 degrees.

The Atchafalaya River at Morgan City is currently at 5.27 feet (Minor flood stage). Minor flood stage is from 4 to 7 feet. The river is expected to remain at this level throughout the week. At 5 to 6 feet, the city dock may be under water. Water may cover the lower end of Belleview Front Street in Berwick. Vessel traffic may be affected by stronger river current and vessel traffic safety rules will be strictly enforced by the U. S. Coast Guard.

SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA: Today will be mostly sunny and partly cloudy in the evening. Friday through Monday has a 20 percent slight chance of thunderstorms each day.
Temperatures: Today: 94/76, Friday: 93/76, Saturday: 93/75, Sunday: 95/76, Monday: 93/74.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: Heat index values will climb to around 105 degrees today and tomorrow afternoon, mainly for areas along and south of a line from metropolitan Baton Rouge to Hammond to New Orleans including the southeast Louisiana coast. A heat advisory remains in effect. Elsewhere across the area, expect afternoon heat index values to top out around 100 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms are expected mainly this afternoon across inland areas. While organized severe weather is not expected, some of the storms may become strong, with gusty winds to 45 mph, frequent lightning and heavy downpours. This weekend, heat index values will climb to near or above 100 degrees each afternoon across the area. Primarily afternoon and evening thunderstorms will be isolated in nature on Friday and into the weekend. Thunderstorms will become more scattered on Monday through Wednesday as a weak front advances toward the area. While organized severe weather is not expected, a few storms on Friday could become strong with gusty winds to 45 mph, frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall.

CENTRAL LOUISIANA: Today has a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms with a decrease to 20 percent chance in the evening. Friday through Monday has a 20 percent slight chance of thunderstorms each day.
Temperatures: Today: 92/75, Friday: 95/76, Saturday: 96/75, Sunday: 96/74, Monday: 96/74.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: An upper level low moving into northeast Texas today will still trigger showers and thunderstorms across interior southeast Texas as one or more disturbance brushes this area. Elsewhere, rain chances decrease markedly as you move further away from this upper level disturbance. Tonight, shower and thunderstorm activity will cease early due to the loss of daytime heating. Due to the high moisture content, locally heavy rainfall will be possible this evening. Rainfall rates will be 1 to 2 inches per hour which may cause some street flooding if this rainfall occurs over urban areas. Frequent cloud to ground lightning will also be possible. Friday through Wednesday the upper low will exit the region so rain chances will decrease and a more stable pattern will develop. Max afternoon heat index values from Friday into the weekend will range from 102 to 105 degrees.

NORTHERN LOUISIANA: Today has an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms during the day with an decrease to 50 percent in the evening. Friday through Monday has a 20-40 percent chance of thunderstorms each day.
Temperatures: Today: 84/73, Friday: 94/76, Saturday: 96/75, Sunday: 96/75 Monday: 95/74.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER: An upper level low pressure system will move slowly across northeast Texas into extreme southwest Arkansas by this evening. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches will be possible through the evening hours, resulting in significant flooding across portions of the area. As a result, a flash flood watch is in effect until 7 am Friday morning. In addition, strong to severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening as this upper level disturbance combines with a moist and unstable air mass. The primary threat with the strongest storms will be damaging winds. However, brief isolated tornadoes will also be a concern. This severe activity should begin to die down this evening. Showers and thunderstorms will lift north of the area and mostly diminish on Friday.