Enhanced Risk of Severe Weather Across Louisiana Today and Tonight

(Lake Charles, LA) Ominous, that's one word you use to describe the threat of severe storms and tornadoes across most of Louisiana today. The entire state is at risk for strong storms from early this morning extending well into Saturday. When the storms arrive in your hometown will be determined by your specific location in the state.

Residents of Shreveport/Bossier City, Monroe, Ruston, Alexandria, Leesville, Marksville, and Mansura will face an enhanced risk of severe weather for the balance of Friday, with the threat ending from the west by early Saturday morning. Meanwhile, if you live in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans, or Morgan City, you have a slight risk of severe weather where you live. 

Severe Storms Cause Fire Damage in Louisiana

Yesterday, Thursday, a line of storms swept across the state during the early morning hours, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings from Lake Charles to Lafayette. Officials in Lafayette believe lightning from one of those storms was the catalyst for a house fire in that city. Lightning, strong winds, heavy downpours, small hail, and possible tornadoes will be possible across much of that same area again today.

As you can see in the graphic from the Storm Prediction Center, today and Saturday's severe weather outbreak could be very widespread with an enhanced threat of severe weather extending from south central Texas through most of Louisiana and into Mississippi.

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Residents along the I-20 corridor will likely see strong storms enter the picture after 10 this morning. That risk of heavy rain and storms will continue across the area through Friday night and begin to end in the wee small hours of Saturday.

When Will Severe Weather Move Into Louisiana Today?

For residents who are more closely connected to the I-10 corridor in Louisiana, your threat of storms will start in the late afternoon hours and spread eastward as the evening progresses. Forecasters think the heaviest weather won't move into the southern part of the state until just before midnight. That threat of strong storms should remain in the area through mid-morning or early afternoon on Saturday.

With today's enhanced risk of severe storms, it is suggested that you have an alert weather radio or download our station app.

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Once you've downloaded the app, go to the settings to turn on "Alerts". We suggest you turn on Breaking News and Weather alerts so that any bulletins from the National Weather Service or local emergency management officials can be sent directly to your phone, even in the middle of the night if necessary.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say conditions across the state will improve by early Saturday in north Louisiana and by Saturday afternoon in the southern parishes. The outlook for Sunday is mostly sunny with springlike temperatures.

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The next threat of showers across the region will move into the area on Tuesday night, with showers becoming more likely by mid-week.