Tropical Funnel Clouds Likely in South Louisiana Monday

It doesn't matter whether you are looking off into the distance across the vast Cajun Prairie near Eunice, Louisiana, or staring down the endless ribbon of roadway that is I-10 across Calcasieu, Jeff Davis, Acadia, or Lafayette parishes when you see a funnel cloud dancing above the horizon, it will get your attention.

All of Louisiana's 64 parishes have tornadoes. In fact, some parishes are a bit more prone to experience those rotating violent windstorms than others. You can see which parishes those are, right here. And while the Storm Prediction Center has not included Louisiana in any severe weather threats for today. It is possible you could see a funnel cloud or two. And, there is a possibility that one or maybe more of those funnel clouds could reach the ground.

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles says much of the I-10 corridor could experience a tropical funnel cloud or two today as daytime heating destabilizes the atmosphere and air mass thunderstorms begin to form. The combination of outflow from these storms interacting with the sea breeze creates the opportunity for rotation in the atmosphere.

Basically what happens is the rain from an onshore thunderstorm cools the air around it. This cooler air sinks and drops down toward the ground. The air then spreads out when it hits the ground. This outflow of air then runs into the seabreeze which is air moving from the Gulf of Mexico on shore. And when those two air flows meet you can get rotation in the atmosphere.

Here is how the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles explains it.

The forecast for much of the I-10 corridor suggests there will be plenty of air mass thunderstorms across the area today. We know the sea breeze will be blowing too. So don't be surprised if you glance skyward and see a few wispy rope-like tails fluttering beneath a storm cloud. Rain chances this afternoon across the region range from 20% to as high as 70%.

The National Weather Service will dispatch a Special Weather Statement should conditions warrant and should some of the tropical funnel clouds reach the ground appropriate watches and warnings will be issued.

Speaking of warnings and advisories, there is a heat advisory posted in all but the southwestern corner of Louisiana. That will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. tonight. Heat indices of 108 to 110 will be common from Lake Charles through Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans this afternoon.