Weather Service Says Louisiana ‘Gumbo Weather’ On The Way

Every day across Louisiana, especially along the I-10 corridor you can see the faithful making their way to Mass. For people who call places like Kaplan, Abbeville, Pierre Part, and Cossinade home it's an expression of their deep Catholic faith. And let's face it, we've lived through enough Louisiana summer days not to want to spend eternity in a place that could even be hotter.

If you didn't notice, it's October y'all. September is done, and we're past the peak of Hurricane Season. Our favorite football teams have a few games under their belts and there appears to be just one more thing missing. Shouldn't we be cooking gumbo by now?

I get it, there are some of you that make gumbo all year round. There are also some of you that like to go camping in August. I accept you for what you are, it doesn't mean I have to understand you though. Look, a good gumbo, when made on the stove, can really raise the temperature in the house. Plus it's hard to eat a hot dish on a hot day, at least it is for me.

This is why I am so excited by the release of the latest forecast from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. That's the forecast unit that specializes in long range forecasts and they have released to official outlook for fall across the nation.

Here is what the CPC thinks about our chances of getting rain between now and the end of the year.

And here's what the CPC is thinking about our temperatures for the final three months of 2024.

If you didn't get the interpretation of those maps here's what they tell us. The winter will be a little milder than normal and probably a little drier than normal. But wait, I want you to "Zoom In" with me.

The maps you see above are for October, November, and December. We want gumbo now, so let's look at just October. That's the graphic we have displayed below.

The forecast calls for "average" temperatures which for Louisiana in October means we're going to have a "cold snap".  It looks as if it is going to happen right in time for Festivals Acadiens et Creoles the weekend of October 11-13.

When Will Louisiana Temperatures Drop Into the 50s?

Based on our unofficial record keeping and prognostications it usually happens before October 15th. Based on an actual scientific forecast we have reason to believe your child's first chance to leave his coat on the bus will come a week from today.

Current forecast models suggest the I-10 corridor could experience overnight low temperatures in the upper 50s just seven days from today. Of course, cool in the morning means pleasant in the afternoon and the forecast corroborates that thinking as well.

Today might be our last day to touch 90 degrees in the afternoon until next spring. Of course with the good there comes some bad. We are still watching the Gulf of Mexico this morning for potential tropical issues. And the forecast does call for thunderstorms over the weekend ahead of a cold front that will drop our temperatures in the "gumbo" range by the middle of next week.