Louisiana Under Severe Weather Threat Through Wednesday

Forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma are keeping a watchful eye on a frontal system that is expected to sweep through the Mid-South over the next two days. That frontal system should provide enough lift in the atmosphere to create the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms over much of Louisiana today and tomorrow.

As of now, the SPC outlook has the extreme northern sections of the state under the gun for severe storms today. I say under the gun, the severe threat is listed as marginal but that's enough of a threat that we should pay attention to it.

And speaking of paying attention, that marginal risk area shifts south and east during the day on Wednesday to cover the rest of the state with a similar risk of severe storms during that period of time.

Forecasters do not believe this system will be the catalyst for a major severe weather outbreak but they do think that a large portion of the country will see some heavy showers or thunderstorms as the system marches eastward.

Here in South Louisiana, our forecast is calling for mainly afternoon thundershowers today. The storms could kick up with the daytime heating as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico begins to stream across the state on some gusty southerly breezes today and tomorrow.

Rain chances in the area today will range from 30% to 40% depending on where you happen to be in South Louisiana. By tomorrow those rain chances will leap up with the approach of the cold front. We could be looking at rain chances as high as 80% during the afternoon on Wednesday. Again some of the storms late in the day Wednesday could be strong or even severe.

The good news for the holiday weekend is that once the system moves out of the area we should have nice weather for the Easter holiday weekend. Although temperatures will be on the cool side. In fact, we could touch the 30s one last time this year at sunrise on Good Friday. The forecast for Easter Sunday is calling for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower 70s.

Oh, and if you're having friends and family over for Easter, you might want to consider some of these ideas. It will make your party a special event whether it's held inside in the dining room or outside in the yard.