Excessive Rainfall Forecast for Louisiana Thursday and Friday

(KMDL-FM) Forecasters with the National Weather Service say Monday's rain event across the I-10 corridor should be mild in comparison to what's looming for Louisiana over the next two days.

Monday's showers, combined with colder temperatures, snarled traffic on major roads across the region, and it appears that we could see a repeat of those weather conditions, possibly worse, on Thursday and Friday.

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First things first, the outlook for today, Wednesday, is not bad at all. Temperatures across much of Louisiana will be close to or just below the freezing mark, depending on where in the state you happen to be located. We can expect a mix of clouds and sunshine today. The afternoon temperatures should rise to near 70 in some locales.

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When is the Heavy Rain Expected to Start in South Louisiana?

Forecasters with the National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles expect the weather scenario to unfold this way. After a nice day today, clouds, showers, and storms will begin to move into the state this evening. The current model guidance does not show heavy rain moving into Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge until well past midnight.

Thursday will be a cold, wet, dreary day with gusty breezes and intermittent rainfall. Some of the rainfall could be heavy at times. The Weather Prediction Center has all of the I-10 corridor on notice for an excessive rainfall event both Thursday and Friday.

How Much Rain Could South Louisiana Receive In This Storm?

As of now, rainfall amounts of one to two inches will be common from Lake Charles eastward through Lafayette and into Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The probability of rain is listed at 90% during the day Thursday.

As you can see in the graphic from Rob Perillo at KATC TV, the GRAF Model is forecasting quite a soaking for much of the southern third of the state over the next two days.

Rain chances stay high at 80% for Thursday night and again on Friday. It is expected that the threat of heavier showers and storms will move out of the area afternoon. However, Friday night still holds a 50% probability of more showers.

Rain chances will taper off completely on Saturday, and by Saturday afternoon and Sunday, conditions should improve greatly.