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Showing posts from April, 2013

Heavy Rain and Storms Expected Today

Short Term Forecast :  It is a pretty quiet start to this Tuesday Morning with partly to mostly cloudy skies and some patchy fog.  The fog could get dense at times with visibilities less than 1/4 mile, so please use caution as you travel this morning.  Temperatures are in the lower to mid 60s. There is a significant change to the weather forecast today.  It now appears that an upper-level low, or disturbance, will slowly move out of Texas and right over Louisiana today.  It will tap into the warm and humid air mass that is sitting over us.  This will allow for scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms to develop over Southeast Louisiana.  Some of the rain will be heavy at times and we could pick up a few inches of rain.  Watch out for flash flooding later today!  High temperatures will be a little cooler thanks to the rain as they only climb to around 80. The low will stay over us tonight, and that means we will have more scattered showers with a few thunderstorms.  Some he

Warm and Humid With Spotty Storms Today

Short Term Forecast :  We have partly cloudy skies with some patchy dense fog forming this morning across the Capital City.  It is mild and muggy with temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s. The fog will give way to partly cloudy skies this afternoon.  Some drier air will move over Baton Rouge today, and that will limit the amount of rain/storms we will see.  However, with the cold front stalling along the Louisiana Coast, it will be close enough to help set off a few showers and thunderstorms.  Not all of you will see rain, but the best chance of see any will be from I-10 south to the coast.  We will be warm and humid with highs in the lower 80s. Watch out of some fog again tonight, otherwise, we will have a few lingering clouds.  Expect more mild and muggy conditions with low temperatures in the lower 60s. Week Ahead :  More of the same weather is expected on Tuesday with partly cloudy skies and a few afternoon showers and storms.  Highs will be in the lower 80s and lows in

Warmer With Storms Returning This Weekend

Short Term Forecast :  It is a pretty quiet and cool start to the day across the Capital City.  We have partly to mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the lower 50s. You can expect some pleasant weather this afternoon as the area of high pressure moves east of Louisiana.  This will bring back southeast winds over the state and that will give us partly cloudy skies.  A stray shower is possible as well, but most of you will not see any rain.  We will be warmer too with high temperatures in the lower 80s. It will not be as cool tonight thanks to the southeast winds.  We will have some clouds with lows falling to the lower 60s. Weekend Forecast :  Some unsettled weather will return this weekend.  Saturday is looking to be the best day with only a slight chance of seeing some rain/storms, but a lot of rain is expected on Sunday. Saturday will be partly cloudy, warm and more humid as a weak disturbance moves across the state.  This disturbance, or upper-level low, will set off

Tornado in Kenner and Metairie Yesterday

A supercell thunderstorm, or a thunderstorm that is rotating, developed over Ramah, LA yesterday.  A tornado watch was issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and numerous tornado warnings were issued as well for this storm. The storm tracked just south of Baton Rouge over Plaquemine to Saint Gabriel to Prairieville and Gonzales.  It didn't produce a tornado around the Baton Rouge area, but did produce winds around 60-70 mph.  The only damage we could find were some downed trees and branches around Saint Gabriel, LA.  Meteorologist Ryan Davidson was there when it traveled over him.  The National Weather Service (NWS) will survey this area later today to see if it was straight-line winds or a possible tornado that caused this damage. The storm continued down I-10 toward New Orleans and got stronger as it approached LaPlace, but still did not produce a tornado - even though the rotation was pretty strong. Once the storm arrived in Kenner it looked incredibly impressive on

Mostly Cloudy and Calmer Weather Today

Short Term Forecast :  We start out this Thursday with much calmer weather over South Louisiana.  It is mostly cloudy and cooler with temperatures in the lower 50s. The calmer weather will persist today as the cold front has stalled along the coast.  This will keep mostly cloudy skies over the area, but it will be a little warmer since some sunshine will pop-out from time to time. It will be less humid too.   High temperatures will be in the mid 70s. The cooler temperatures will continue tonight with some lingering clouds.  Lows will fall to the lower 50s. Friday will be a pretty nice day as high pressure sits to the northeast of Louisiana.  We will be partly cloudy and it will become warmer with highs in the lower 80s.  Friday Night will have some clouds and it will not be as cool with lows in the lower 60s. Weekend Forecast :  It looks like the cold front will retreat back to the north this weekend and stall along the I-10 corridor.  At the same time, some upper-level di

Tornado Watch Until 1 PM for SE LA

Storm Prediction Center issues TORNADO watch until 1 PM for the WBRZ Viewing area!! A line of showers and thunderstorms will move into Southeast Louisiana this morning.  These storms are ahead and behind a strong cold front.  The atmosphere ahead of the storms is unstable and that is fuel for the storms. Not only could these storms produce tornadoes, they can also have damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain.  The storms will likely be in a squall line or bowing segments.  It is the front end of these where tornadoes could form, but damaging winds would likely be the greater threat.   Stay tuned to my Facebook & Twitter feeds, WBRZ, WBRZ Weather Channel and WBRZ.com for updates & any warnings! 

A Cold Front Brings Us Rain and Storms Today

Short Term Forecast :  It is a very warm and muggy start to this Wednesday across the Capital City.  We have mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 70s. The cold front will move into Baton Rouge later this morning.  It will bring us scattered showers and thunderstorms.  Some of the storms could be strong with gusty winds, heavy rain and some hail.  High temperatures will be in the lower 70s and reached this morning before the cold front moves through.  Then the temperatures will fall into the mid 60s. The cold front will stall along the coast tonight and slowly fall apart.  We will have mostly cloudy skies with a few showers around town.  It will turn much cooler with lows in the lower 50s. Rest of the Week :  The front will continue to fall apart on Thursday, but it will still impact the area by sending us mostly cloudy skies.  It will be a mild and less humid day with highs in the lower to mid 70s.  Thursday Night will have some clouds with lows in the mid 50s. Frid

Warm and Muggy With Spotty Showers

Short Term Forecast :  It is a mostly cloudy start on this Tuesday Morning.  We are also much warmer and muggier than we were on Monday with temperatures in the mid 60s. You can expect a warm and humid afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds along with some spotty showers.  This is thanks to southerly winds pumping up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico today as the area of high pressure sits well east of Louisiana.  Any rain we get will be light.  High temperatures will be in the lower 80s. The clouds will stick around tonight along with the muggy weather.  Some patchy fog is possible.  It will be pretty warm with low temperatures only falling to the mid 60s. Week Ahead :  A cold front will slowly move into Baton Rouge on Wednesday.  This front will be falling apart as it moves closer to the city.  We will have scattered showers and thunderstorms developing late in the morning and continuing into the afternoon.  A few storms could become strong at times with gusty winds and hea

Warm With Unsettled Weather This Week

Happy Earth Day! Short Term Forecast :  It is a quiet start to this Monday Morning with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 40s to lower 50s. We will have another pleasant afternoon across the Capital City.  An area of high pressure is located east of Louisiana, so we will have some southeast winds returning to the state.  These winds will help to bring in some Gulf Moisture which will make it partly cloudy.  Some coastal showers will be possible today, but we should remain dry in Baton Rouge.  High temperatures will be in the upper 70s. Clouds will stick around tonight making it partly to mostly cloudy with patchy fog.  It will be a warmer night with lows in the lower 60s. Week Ahead :  Gulf Moisture will continue to be pumped up over the city on Tuesday and that will lead to partly to mostly cloudy skies with spotty showers.  We will be warmer and more humid with highs in the lower 80s.  Tuesday Night will be mostly cloudy with some fog and a stray shower or two.  Low

Much Cooler Today With A Record Low Possible Tonight

Short Term Forecast :  We start this Friday Morning with mostly cloudy skies and a few leftover showers as the cold front moves east of Baton Rouge.  It is MUCH COOLER with temperatures in the upper 40s to lower 50s.  Take your jacket with you today as the cool air will last all day! The clouds will gradually decrease this afternoon and we will become partly cloudy.  We will have breezy northerly winds and much cooler with highs only in the mid 60s. Get ready for a MUCH COLDER night across the Capital City with a possible record low!  We will be clear with low temperatures falling to the upper 30s.  This would break the record low of 40 set back in 1953.   Bring in or cover any plants tonight since we may have some patchy frost! Weekend Forecast :  An area of high pressure will sit over the Southeast U.S. this weekend.  This will make it sunny and warmer both days.  Highs will be in the lower 70s on Saturday with lows in the mid 40s Saturday Night.  Sunday will be warmer with h

Strong to Severe Storms Possible Tonight and On Friday Morning

A strong cold front will move across Louisiana tonight and through Baton Rouge overnight.  A squall line of thunderstorms is moving ahead of the front.  Some of these storms could become strong to severe at times.  Additionally, some storms could form ahead of the squall line, and these storms could also be strong to severe.  However, the threat is low for Baton Rouge now!! SPC no longer has the Baton Rouge area in a Slight Risk for severe storms.  However, we could still have a few develop.  The main threat from the storms will still be damaging winds.  However, a few tornadoes and some hail can't be ruled out.  Fortunate for us, the worst threat for severe weather is across Mississippi and Alabama now, not Louisiana. Once the cold front moves through by Early Friday Morning, the severe weather threat will be over.  Then we will have some lingering showers with a few rumbles of thunder the rest of the morning into the afternoon hours.  Eventually, we will clear out the rain

Warm and Muggy With Some Drizzle Today

...Dense Fog Advisory Until 10 AM... Short Term Forecast :  We have a mostly cloudy, warm, muggy and foggy start to this Tuesday across the Capital City.  Visibilities are less than 1/4 mile in some areas, so please use caution!  Temperatures are in the lower 70s. The clouds look like they will stick around today just like yesterday.  This will keep us from getting too warm.  Some drizzle or mist will be possible throughout the afternoon as well as moisture continues to be drawn up from the Gulf of Mexico.  High temperatures will be in the lower 80s. More clouds and dense fog can be expected tonight along with some mist or drizzle.  It will remain muggy with lows in the lower 70s. Week Ahead :  Expect to have a mix of sun and clouds on Wednesday with a few showers popping up.  It will stay warm and humid with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the lower 70s. Much of Thursday will have some pretty quiet weather with partly to mostly cloudy skies as a cold front moves closer to

A Very Warm and Humid Start To The Week

Short Term Forecast :  We begin this new work week with some patchy dense fog across Southeast Louisiana.  Visibilities could be less than 1/4 mile at times.  Otherwise, it is mostly clear and mild with temperatures in the 60s. An area of high pressure will sit over the Southeast U.S. today, that will bring southerly winds over the state. This is going to lead to partly cloudy, very warm and humid weather this afternoon.  High temperatures will be in the mid 80s. Expect mostly clear skies with patchy fog again tonight.  It will be warm and muggy with lows near 70. Week Ahead :  The area of high pressure will stay east of Louisiana on Tuesday and Wednesday.  We will have more partly cloudy, warm and humid weather each day with a few sprinkles possible.  Highs will be in the mid 80s and lows near 70 each night. The weather will start to change on Thursday thanks to a cold front moving toward Louisiana.  We will be partly to mostly cloudy during the day with a few showers or storm

Sunny Weather Today With Storms Returning By Sunday

Short Term Forecast :  We have a much calmer morning across the Capital City.  The skies are clear to mostly clear and it is much cooler with temperatures in the mid to upper 40s.  You may want that jacket as you head out the door! Expect a gorgeous afternoon thanks to an area of high pressure building over the Southeast U.S.  This will make it sunny and we will stay warm with high temperatures in the mid 70s. It will be clear and cool tonight.  Low temperatures will fall to the upper 40s. Weekend Forecast :  The area of high pressure will move east of Louisiana on Saturday.  This will allow east to southeast winds to replace the northeast winds.  We will become warmer with plenty of sunshine and high temperatures will be in the upper 70s.  Saturday Night will be mostly clear with some patchy fog.  Low temperatures will be in the upper 50s. The weather will drastically go downhill on Sunday.  This is thanks to a warm front moving up from the Gulf of Mexico and a disturbance m

Tornado Watch Until 3 PM For Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch until 3 PM for the WBRZ viewing area.  Thunderstorms are expected to increase in coverage through the morning and into the afternoon hours ahead of a strong cold front.  These storms may rotate and could produce a few tornadoes.  The storms could also contain large hail and damaging winds over 60 mph.  On top of the severe weather threats today, we will have have some heavy rain.  Rainfall totals could be around 1 to 3 inches.  Flash flooding is possible in low-lying areas.  Stay tuned to WBRZ, WBRZ.com, WBRZ's Weather Channel and my Facebook and Twitter feeds.  

Heavy Rain and Some Strong To Severe Storms Today In Baton Rouge

Short Term Forecast :  A slow-moving cold front is inching closer to Baton Rouge this morning.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forming ahead and along the front.  Some of these storms could become strong to severe.  Large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible.  SPC has us in a Slight Risk for severe weather today.  Right now, it looks like the severe weather threat is pretty low.  Otherwise, it is warm and muggy with temperatures in the 70s. The cold front will finally move through Baton Rouge this afternoon.  We will have numerous showers and thunderstorms - some could be strong to severe at times.  Fortunately, I am NOT expecting a widespread severe weather event and the threat will remain low.  These storms could still produce damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes.  Additionally, heavy rain is expected and we could pick up 1 to 3 inches across Southeast Louisiana.  This could cause some flash flooding, but since it has been dry lately, the gr

Severe Weather Possible Tonight and On Thursday

The threat for severe weather remains tonight and into Thursday across the Baton Rouge area.  A slow-moving squall line of thunderstorms will move into town tonight.  Showers and thunderstorms will become more widespread between midnight and 6 AM.  The atmosphere will be unstable and this will allow the storms to become strong to severe.  The main threats would be damaging winds and large hail.  A few tornadoes will also be possible, but the threat is low.  SPC has the Baton Rouge area in a Slight Risk for severe weather tonight and Thursday.  It is possible that severe weather watches may be issued overnight.  Watch the WBRZ Weather Channel for updates on that. The forecast models show the rain and storms continuing through midday.  Then we will gradually clear the skies by Thursday Night. On top of the severe weather threat, heavy rains are expected due to the slow movement of the front.  We could pick up 2 to 3 inches, and this could cause some minor flooding. Be sure to

Warm With Showers and Storms Popping Up Today

Short Term Forecast :  We have a very warm and breezy morning across the Baton Rouge area under mostly cloudy skies.  Temperatures are in the lower 70s and it is muggy. We will transition from the nice weather yesterday to stormy weather today.  A strong cold front will be moving closer to Louisiana this afternoon.  Ahead of it we will be very warm, humid and breezy.  This will allow the atmosphere to become very unstable.  Isolated showers and thunderstorms will pop-up through the afternoon and into the evening.  Some of the storms could become strong to possibly severe.  SPC has a Slight Risk for severe weather over Baton Rouge today, but it is mainly in effect for tonight.  The storms this afternoon could produce damaging winds and large hail.  High temperatures will be in the lower 80s. Showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous overnight as a squall line moves closer to town.  This line will be ahead and along the cold front.  These storms could be strong to severe

Warm and Windy With A Few Sprinkles Today

Short Term Forecast :  We have a very warm start to this Tuesday with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 60s.  It is pretty breezy too with winds out of the southeast at 5 to 15 mph. We will be unseasonably warm and pretty windy this afternoon as strong southerly winds pump in the warm/humid air from the Gulf.  Winds will be around 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts.  This will give us mostly cloudy skies and we could have a few light rain showers or sprinkles popping up.  High temperatures will be in the lower 80s. It will remain mostly cloudy, warm and windy tonight.  Lows will be in the upper 60s to around 70. Week Ahead :  A cold front will move into North Louisiana on Wednesday and that will set off some isolated showers and thunderstorms ahead of it in Baton Rouge.  Some of the storms could become strong to severe at times with large hail and damaging winds.  Otherwise, it will be mostly cloudy, warm and windy with highs in the lower 80s.  Winds will be out of th

The Great Flood of 1983

It was 30 years ago that the Baton Rouge area experienced what is likely the worst flood in its history!  On April 5-9, 1983 we were hit with 6 to 13 inches of rain from a slow-moving storm.  This rain quickly ran off into the Amite, Comite, Tickfaw and Tangipahoa River Basins.  Some of the highest rainfall totals were in the headwaters of the Amite River in the Felicianas and South Mississippi.  Also, there were some strong easterly winds which slowed down the water from draining into Lake Maurepas and Pontchartrain.  These were some of the reasons why the flooding occurred in Baton Rouge & Denham Springs.  The weather map to the right shows the weather for April 8, 1983. A stalled front over the Southeast U.S. lead to the heavy rain event and flooding. The rivers quickly rose and spilled out of their banks.  The rain didn't stop, so the water continued to rise and rise.  Rivers rose to what are still the record levels.  The Amite in Denham Springs got to 41.5 feet, the Comi

Partly Cloudy and Warmer Today

Short Term Forecast :  It is a mild start to the day with mostly clear to partly cloudy skies across the Baton Rouge area.  Some patchy fog is possible.  Temperatures are in the upper 50s. We will have another pleasant afternoon thanks to high pressure sitting east of Louisiana.  This is allowing south to southeast winds to usher in the warm and more humid air from the Gulf of Mexico.  We will have partly to mostly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the lower 80s. We will keep the clouds tonight and some fog will be possible again.  It will be a pretty warm night with low temperatures only in the mid 60s. Week Ahead :  More of the same weather is on tap for Tuesday with partly cloudy skies.  Highs will be in the lower 80s and lows in the upper 60s on Tuesday Night with some fog and clouds. The weather will start to change on Wednesday as a cold front moves toward Louisiana.  Most of the day will be dry with partly to mostly cloudy skies.  However, later in the day we will s

Sunshine And Warmer Temperatures Return Today

Are you ready for the sunshine to return?! I know I am, and guess what...it will later today!  We will also have some fantastic weather this weekend.  Check it out... Short Term Forecast :  It is a chilly start to this Friday with mostly cloudy skies and some mist across the Capital City.  Temperatures are in the lower to mid 40s.  Better take that jacket with you as you head to work and school. An area of high pressure will build across the Southeast U.S. this afternoon.  This will clear out the clouds and make for some sunny skies.  It will also allow us to warm up thanks to the high sun angle.  High temperatures will climb to around 70. It is expected to be clear and chilly again tonight.  Lows will fall to the mid 40s. Weekend Outlook :  The area of high pressure will sit right over the Deep South on Saturday.  This will keep us mostly sunny as a few high clouds stream by overhead during the day.  We will become warmer as the winds shift from the northeast to the southe