NWS Extends Tornado Watch for Lafayette Parish

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has extended its previous Tornado Watch to include Lafayette Parish.

The threat of severe storms, including damaging winds and tornadoes, has increased; meteorologists at the National Weather Service urge residents to ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather alerts this afternoon and into the evening hours.

The probability of a tornado is between 5 and 14% within 25 miles of any location in the watch area.

The text of the watch is as follows:

TORNADO WATCH 21 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 7 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR
THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN LOUISIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 PARISHES

IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA

AVOYELLES             ST. LANDRY

IN SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA

IBERIA                LAFAYETTE             ST. MARTIN
ST. MARY

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BAYOU VISTA, BERWICK, BREAUX BRIDGE,
BUNKIE, BURNS POINT, CADE, CENTERVILLE, COTTONPORT, EFFIE,
EUNICE, FRANKLIN, LAFAYETTE, LAWTELL, MANSURA, MARKSVILLE,
MORGAN CITY, NEW IBERIA, OPELOUSAS, PATTERSON, SIMMESPORT,
ST. MARTINVILLE, AND STEPHENSVILLE.

A High Wind Warning also remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening.

Odd and Unbelievable Tornado Facts

As far as we've come in the technology surrounding severe weather and tornadoes, there's still a massive amount science still doesn't understand. Yes, there is a generally agreed idea of how they begin, the conditions needed, and the usual atmospheric conditions, but twisters are still wildly unpredictable. Even more fascinating are the strange and almost terrifying facts about these powerful displays of nature.

Gallery Credit: Kelso