Weather Service – Severe Storms Possible in Louisiana for Weekend

Most of Louisiana was praying for rain to fall throughout much of 2023. Now that the calendar has flipped to 2024 the once oppressive drought that engulfed the state has eased and the return to normal rainfall is now putting a crimp in Louisiana's celebration of Mardi Gras.

This past weekend (02/3-02/4) most of the state received a good soaking from a weekend storm that moved through during the day on Saturday. Those storms brought very heavy rains to many sections of the state and through a major monkey wrench into many Mardi Gras events, parades, and celebrations.

It's entirely possible that we could have a repeat of "Mother Nature messing with Mardi Gras" this weekend. And, in addition to potential downpours portions of Louisiana could be under the gun for strong and even severe storms, especially on Sunday. 

Below is the Storm Prediction Center's graphic look at Saturday's severe storm hot spots. As you can see the greater threat of stronger storms is in Central Texas on Saturday.

Now if you look at the projections for Sunday, also from the Storm Prediction Center, but localized by the National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, you will see that the area of stronger weather has shifted to the east and covers the majority of central and southern Louisiana.

As of now, it does appear as though the heavier weather will affect northern portions of the state on Saturday. But as the system slides further to the east the parishes along I-10 will be under the gun. There is also an excessive rainfall threat from the Weather Prediction Center. That graphic, (shown below) suggests that late Saturday into Saturday evening there could be heavy rains that cause some ponding of water on the roadways and perhaps some flash flooding.

Along the I-10 corridor which includes cities such as Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, the heavier rain will move in from the west Saturday afternoon and there could be a rain threat for Saturday night's parades across the state.

Sunday morning will still see some showers in the area but by afternoon forecasters believe round two of heavier showers and storms will move across the area. The showers and storms should begin to subside by Sunday evening leaving Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras to be mostly sunny and rain-free.