Super Soaker Headed for South Louisiana This Weekend – How Much Rain to Expect

(KMDL-FM) Weekend plans along the I-10 corridor in South Louisiana, from Lake Charles through Lafayette and into Baton Rouge and New Orleans, will need to have a rain plan. The remnants of Pacific Hurricane Polo, combined with a frontal system, are poised to create a super soaker weekend across southern Louisiana.

a close-up of a water splash

Forecasters say rain chances will be minimal today, Wednesday, holding at about 30% for mainly afternoon and early evening showers. But the rain threat ramps up significantly by Thursday. The forecast calls for a significant rain threat during the day on Friday, lasting all the way through late Saturday evening.

If you look at the pluses and minuses of this weekend's forecast, the good news is that the area does need the rain. We are in drought conditions in South Louisiana; you may have a burn ban in effect in your parish. So, a good soaking rain would be welcome. However, many of our agricultural interests are involved in harvesting. So that might mean more mud on the roads in and around the cane fields.

Heavy Rains Will Usher in First "Feels Like Fall" Temperatures for Louisiana

Temperatures will also be cooler. The clouds and the rain will keep temperatures closer to 90 and heat indices out of the triple digits. Then later in the weekend, the frontal system that is partially responsible for the rain will move through. That will mean actual "feels like fall" conditions to start the workweek next week.

weather.gov/lch

This storm system might be less about how much rain falls and more about how fast that rain falls over your town. The Weather Prediction Center has South Louisiana at risk for excessive rain on Friday and especially on Saturday. Rainfall totals are forecast to be between two and four inches, but heavier amounts are possible.

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The bigger concern would be that a heavy downpour would inundate a localized area with heavy rain over a short period of time. This could lead to street and nuisance flooding; residents of Lafayette can picture what Ambassador Caffery Parkway looks like after a downpour.

What is Louisiana's Severe Weather Threat This Weekend?

The Storm Prediction Center has not identified any risk factors for strong storms across South Louisiana this weekend, so it does appear as though this will be a rain and heavy rain event.

Stacy Revere, Getty Images

Unfortunately, it will put a major damper on the University of Louisiana's Homecoming Festivities as well as the in-state football game between McNeese State and LSU.

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Fortunately, the threat of heavy downpours should not interfere with our plans for drinking this weekend. If you're looking for options, we've got 'em.