Louisiana Bracing For Thunderstorms And Possible Flooding

(KMDL-FM) The Storm Prediction Center, the wing of the National Weather Service that focuses its forecasts on predicting severe storms, has a large portion of Louisiana right in the crosshairs for a stormy day. In fact, you could say a couple of stormy days, as strong storms will begin in the state today and continue to affect portions of Louisiana well into Thursday.

READ MORE: Has "Tornado Alley" Shifted Eastward to Include Louisiana? 

The greatest risk that Louisiana residents will face as a result of this inclement weather is heavy thunderstorms and flooding rains. The Weather Prediction Center has most of the state at a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. That's when it rains harder than municipal drainage systems can keep up. This results in localized street flooding.

While that's not likely over all of Louisiana, the potential for that to happen will certainly be a part of the planning that you need to consider before the worst of the weather arrives. Some of that "worst weather" could include small hail and damaging winds during the height of some of the stronger thunderstorms.

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Portions of Louisiana are at Risk for Tornadoes, Damaging Winds, and Small Hail Today

However, the official guidance from the Storm Prediction Center suggests that hail and high winds will be more likely in storms that affect central and northern Louisiana as opposed to the I-10 corridor in the southern portion of the state.

READ MORE: Which Louisiana Parishes Have the Most Tornadoes? 

There will be a slight risk for rotating storms that could spawn tornadoes. Again, that threat appears to be most likely for the portion of the state that is along and well north of U.S. 190.

Weather conditions will worsen from the northwest to the southeast across the state during the day today. In the Lafayette and Lake Charles area, we might see a passing shower later this morning or into the early afternoon hours, but our greatest threat for rain and storms will arrive much later tonight.

When Will the I-10 Corridor See Strong Storms and Heavy Rain?

Showers and storms will be the rule as you rise for work and school on Thursday morning. That rain threat will carry through the rest of the day into the nighttime hours. Then, on Friday, rain chances will once again ramp up with a significant risk of rain during the day, the evening, and again on Saturday. 

Sunday's forecast includes a threat of rain and storms as well. Conditions should begin to improve by late Sunday evening into Monday morning. Temperatures will be slightly cooler as we begin the new workweek.