Storm in the Gulf – Louisiana’s Tropical Risk For the Next 48 Hours

(KMDL-FM) National Hurricane Center forecasters are currently monitoring two areas of concern in the tropical Atlantic Basin. One of those is the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly, which could be a player in the Gulf. The other is an area of low pressure centered near the Mouth of the Mississippi River, which will affect Louisiana and the northern Gulf Coast over the next 48 hours.

Tropical Low Already Producing Showers, Storms Along the Gulf Coast

That system has already produced showers and storms along the northern Gulf. The fact that the system is centered so close to the Louisiana coastline is cause for concern and, if we're honest, not a bad thing at all for a couple of reasons.

This could be a case of Good News/Better News for the I-10 corridor as we move into the new work and school week ahead of the Labor Day Holiday. Forecasters with the NHC do not give the system much of a chance of strengthening, even over the next seven days.

nhc.noaa.gov

The current guidance suggests only a 20% probability of something more than "an area of disturbed weather". But there is still enough warm water in the Gulf, and conditions could change, especially if the system drifts further south over water than its forecast track, which keeps it close to or actually on shore.

READ MORE: Peak Of Hurricane Season Looming - Louisiana Landfall Probabilities

Over the next two days, the Weather Prediction Center has much of southern Louisiana at risk for heavy downpours and "excessive rainfall". The excessive rainfall refers to a storm that creates rainfall rates that overwhelm municipal drainage systems for a short period of time. The outlook does not suggest widespread flooding caused by copious rainfall totals.

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles appears to be viewing this low-pressure system in the Gulf as more of a threat for those who go offshore. They are not wrong. Things could be "not pleasant" and even more dangerous, so please check the forecasts before heading out and follow best practices when it comes to keeping yourself safe.

weather.gov/lch

If you're leaving on a cruise out of New Orleans, you might experience some showers, storms, and a less-than-smooth sail out of the mouth of the Mississippi River, but thanks to modern cruise ship technology, you probably won't even feel it.

When WIll South Louisiana Feel The Effects of this Tropical Low?

In a word, South Louisiana and the I-10 corridor will experience an enhanced threat of showers and storms beginning this afternoon through at least much of next week. Wait, that was a lot more than "a word", it was several. Sorry.  Probabilities for precipitation are listed at 50% for today, with better chances east of Lafayette, slightly less chances west of Lafayette.

Heather Diehl, Getty Images

The rain threat is forecast to be 70%, mainly in the afternoon, for all of Southern Louisiana on Monday and Tuesday, with rain chances remaining higher than the typical summer rain chances as we move into the Labor Day weekend.

The remnants of what was Tropical Storm Dolly could eventually be a factor for some portions of the Gulf Coast. You can see the current track forecast for that storm system below.

nhc.noaa.gov

With so many Louisiana Parishes under burn bans for dry conditions, a nice soaking tropical rain would not be a bad thing. It would also keep the late August and early September temperatures on the cooler side, which would not be a bad thing at all.

READ MORE: Are You Ready for a Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiania? It's Next Weekend

And one more thing: with the Labor Day holiday upon us, you can find some really great end-of-season sales happening on a lot of things we still have months to use here along the Gulf. Check out the list; some of these even work well when it's raining.