By Tom Konvicka Chief Meteorologist
This past week brought crazy weather to central Louisiana. Several locations touched the 90° mark Tuesday or Wednesday. Locally, International Airport reached 90° on Tuesday. On Wednesday, several other locations hit 90°, including Simmesport, Atlanta, Bellwood, and Eunice. No records were broken that I am aware of; 90° in April is unusual but not unprecedented.
The warm weather combined with humidity to make things a bit uncomfortable at times and served to make the atmosphere unstable. As a result, a convective complex affected portions of central Louisiana Tuesday evening through the wee hours Wednesday. Very heavy rainfall occurred in selected areas and here is a summary of some of the highest totals:
Hornbeck...4.50
Red River Lock #2...2.95
Cotile Lake...2.59
Peason Ridge...2.43
DeRidder...2.00
Otis...2.00
Hail reached the size of golfballs near Hornbeck and a thunderstorm wind gust to 64 mph was clocked at International Airport Tuesday evening. In contrast, much of Winn, Grant, LaSalle, Catahoula, and Concordia Parishes as well as Adams County in Mississippi stayed dry.
More rain is expected this weekend but have a safe and productive one anyway.
Best,
Tom Konvicka