Acadiana to Close Out 2020 with Threat of Strong Storms

The COVID-19 health crisis will likely keep a lot of people "in" this New Year's Eve. This might actually be a good thing when you consider what Mother Nature has planned for South Louisiana to close out the year 2020.

Yes in a year that saw five landfalling tropical systems in our state we will apparently kiss 2020 goodbye with a round of strong or possibly severe storms. The current model guidance suggests that much of South Louisiana will be under a slight risk for severe storms for at least part of the day on New Year's Eve. This information comes courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center. 

The National Weather Service Office Lake Charles believes, according to their forecast, that most of the stronger weather will be out of the area by the time midnight rolls around to welcome in 2021. However, there could be some significant storm activity beginning as early as Wednesday evening.

The Weather Service Forecast calls for an 80% chance of rain and storms on the final day of the year but does call for beautiful sunshine and cooler temperatures to begin January.

Meanwhile, our forecast crew at KATC is calling for a similar situation as a low-pressure system and cold front move from south to north across the western edge of the state during the day Thursday. This system could produce significant rainfall totals over much of south Louisiana during the day Thursday. As far as how much rain we might see we will have to let Rob Perillo and the crew at KATC sort that out for us later this week.