Risk For Severe Weather, Overnight

Posted: Updated:

Wednesday, December 20

12:00pm

Overview
A Strong Low Pressure System is moving fast from the Texas Pan-handle, through the Central Plains and toward the Great Lakes Region. There is a significant cold front stretched SW through the Southern Plains and into Mexico. This front is bringing with it, a VERY likely chance for rain, coupled with a slight risk for severe weather.
In the wake of this front, a deep ridge of high pressure is building in, clearing skies and cooling temps. This same system will bring high chances for heavy snow throughout parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes Region and Ohio River Valley, during the next couple of days.

Discussion
Warm weather continues for one more day before a strong front moves through Central Louisiana, overnight. Extreme conditions (Heavy rainfall, strong winds, etc.) will not be a major issue until after midnight. However we will see slight rain chances this afternoon and rising rain chances through the evening and into the overnight hours.
There is a slight risk for severe weather for Central Louisiana (issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK). The high Forward-speed of the storms moving through the area, will set the stage for some advanced thunderstorm development. This will lead to the possibility of a few, isolated severe thunderstorms. The brunt of the front will move through after midnight and this is when some areas will see the rough weather. Minor wind damage is possible (Downed trees power outages, etc…)
On Thursday, in the wake of this front, expect a much different picture. There will be a much cooler and drier air-mass over our region. Highs will only climb into the lower 60's with falling temperatures throughout the day.

For the rest of the day,
Major changes are coming to the area during the next 24 hours. Southerly winds will pump significant moisture Northward, from the Gulf of Mexico. Clouds will continue to increase as the day moves forward. Ceilings will lower throughout the day as even more cover works into the forecast. All of this is in advance of a quickly moving, strong cold front after midnight.
So, expect to see increasing clouds through the afternoon and rising rain chances through the evening and in advance of the approaching cold front.

For the rest of the 7day planner
A ridge of high pressure will move over Cenla, in the wake of this front. During this time (on Thursday), the lack of cloud cover and absence of significant wind speeds will lead to temperatures dropping below the freezing mark. These freezing temperatures will reach as far south as the I-10 corridor and remain the trend for overnight lows into the weekend.
By Sunday, the Ridge of high pressure moves East and "Return Flow" sets up, bringing southerly winds back into our forecast and forcing temperatures up. Another warming trend begins.
The next cold front will move through around Christmas and drop temperatures back down, again.

THIS AFTERNOON...Continued increasing clouds, becoming mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles developing by 5PM. Highs 73-78. South wind 12-25 mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Cloudy skies with a likely chance for rain and a few thunderstorms with frontal passage. Strong wind may occur with some storms. Temps holding between 65-70 degrees. Variable wind.

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~DEW