Louisiana Bracing for Excessive Heat, Threat of Severe Storms

Forecasters say Louisiana residents from Lake Charles to Shreveport, Monroe to Lafayette, and Tallulah to Baton Rouge will be under the gun for not one but two dangerous weather scenarios for the next 24 to 48 hours. Those scenarios include dangerous heat and life-threatening storms or a combination of the two.

What is the Severe Weather Threat in Louisiana Today?

The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of Louisiana, with the exception of the southeastern corner under a marginal risk of severe storms today. The most likely time for these big storms to blow up will be later this afternoon. Normally, afternoon showers or storms start to fire up just after lunch. However, in this scenario, forecasters are suggesting that the strongest of the storms will likely fire up closer to 5 pm or later into the early hours of the evening.

Forecasters with the SPC say not all of the area will receive strong storms but those areas that do should expect strong gusty winds, very heavy downpours, and the potential for small hail. That being said, forecasters are suggesting that only 30% of the forecast area will get precipitation today. So, most of us won't see any storms or sprinkles at all. however, those that do, could see quite a downpour.

How Hot Will it be in Louisiana Today?

Let's just say you have a much better chance of being too hot today than you do of being inundated with a severe thunderstorm. The entire state of Louisiana is under some kind of heat advisory. The majority of the state should look for afternoon temperatures in the low triple digits. A reading of 102 would not be out of the question for any destination along the I-10 corridor today.

Forecasters say the worst time to be outside will be between 11 am and 7 pm. That's when actual air temperatures could reach 102 and heat indices top out at 112. Unfortunately, there will not be much of a break in the heat anytime soon. Forecasters say high temperatures for cities such as Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge will top 100 degrees every day this week, through the weekend.

The long-range forecast does not suggest that high temperatures will be less than 100 degrees until the first of next week, but even then they'll be a few degrees above normal as many school children head back to class in the weeks ahead.