Weather Service Pinpoints Louisiana Severe Threat for Saturday
This past weekend was not a pleasant weekend for weather across Louisiana and much of the Gulf South. Louisiana in particular was hit by several lines of strong showers and storms that rumbled into the state on Friday and didn't exit until early Sunday morning.
In the wake of those storms were copious amounts of rain, which we needed. And some wind and water damage, which we didn't need. If you're a fan of high school football in Louisiana you probably had to sit through several hours of weather delays as the LHSAA Playoffs were attempting to complete the semi-final round.
Will Louisiana Have a Repeat Round of Severe Storms This Weekend?
The best answer we can provide for that question is this, maybe. The conditions are certainly favorable for strong to severe storms to form. However, it doesn't appear as though the abundant moisture we had in place last weekend will be in place this weekend.
Here's where the Storm Prediction Center is forecasting the strongest of the storms on Saturday. The yellow slight risk area covers much of Louisiana and that's a pretty strong indicator of the confidence in this forecast.
The Weather Prediction Center is also keying in on this potential spate of severe weather for Louisiana. The graphic below suggests most of the state will be at a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. Excessive rainfall is when rainfall rates exceed a particular location's ability to drain. In Lafayette, Louisiana think Ambassador Caffery Parkway.
As of now, rainfall forecast models are suggesting the I-10 corridor will receive anywhere from half of an inch of rain to just under an inch of rain. This won't be a big washout event but it does appear as though the worst of the weather will sweep through the state during the day on Saturday. The fact that the system is forecast to move quickly should keep rainfall totals well below what we experienced just a week ago.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins