Louisiana Facing Statewide Severe Weather Risk Today

(Lake Charles, LA) Forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center have some good news and bad news for Louisiana when it comes to today's anticipated stormy forecast. The bad news is that just about everybody in the state is at risk for experiencing severe storms.

Shreveport, Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe might be right on the edge of that severe threat, but it's still close enough for us to suggest that the entire state could be shaken by rowdy storms on Wednesday.

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The catalyst for today's anticipated storms is an upper-level disturbance in the atmosphere. It's centered over Texas and is interacting with the abundant moisture from the Gulf. Combine that instability with daytime heating, and the potential for rowdy thunderstorms will start to grow as the day wears on.

When Is Severe Weather Expected in Louisiana Today?

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles suggests that showers or thunderstorms could begin later today and become more numerous and heavier by later this afternoon. That's when the heavier downpours are expected, generally after 4 pm, but you could get a shower or a storm at any time during the day. 

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The Weather Prediction Center says the I-10 corridor is also at a marginal risk of an excessive rainfall event. That's when it rains very hard over a short period of time, and municipal drainage systems can't handle the amount of water. As of now, it does look as though the "prime time" for bigger storms across South Louisiana will be between 2 pm and 7 pm today. 

What is the Weather Forecast For Louisiana This Weekend?

Thursday will bring another risk of strong storms, severe weather, and heavy downpours to the region. However, the forecast for the weekend does show conditions improving by Friday.