Stormy Pattern to Wrap up Louisiana’s Holiday Workweek

Tuesday's July 4th holiday wasn't just a day off of work for most folks in Louisiana, it was a day without the excessive heat and it certainly was welcome. The day away from work was because of the celebration of Independence Day.

The cooler temperatures were a gift from Mother Nature who finally allowed the "heat dome" to move off to the east and break its grip on the excessively hot temperatures the Gulf South has experienced over the past three to four weeks.

Climatologists say that this past June was the warmest June on record for Lafayette Louisiana. Now, we should temper that statement by saying temperatures were below normal for Lafayette during the month of May this year too, so I guess it does all even out.

Monday was the first day in several weeks that no location in Louisiana was under a heat advisory or excessive heat warning. Today doesn't show any signs of warnings or watches of those kinds either. But there will be showers and thunderstorms. Some of those storms could get heavy but it doesn't look as if they will reach severe limits. But there is always a threat that could come from lightning or heavy downpours of rain over a short period of time.

As you can see the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles is including a substantial threat of rain in each day remaining in the workweek. The threat of rain is being bolstered by an upper-level disturbance that is providing instability to the atmosphere. That coupled with the high heat and humidity around the region is the reason for the influx of storms that build across the area during the afternoon hours.

Today's rain chances will be between 50% and 70% with a slightly higher risk of heavier showers for the late afternoon hours. Rain chances will be 80% on Thursday and Friday and will taper off just a bit as we move into the weekend.

And don't think we are done with the excessive heat advisories for the summer either. In fact, looking at the 14-Day Forecast for South Louisiana we could see temperatures in the triple digits or pretty close to them by the middle of next week, so enjoy the "normal" heat while you can.

Then again you can always "rent" a way to cool yourself off. Who knew you could rent people's pools? Apparently, that's a very real thing these days.