Weather Service Warns – Excessive Rain This Weekend in Louisiana

The Weather Prediction Center has issued an ominous alert for cities such as Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Shreveport. That alert which covers the entire state over the next three days suggests that several "life-threatening" weather events could occur and residents should be prepared.

The catalyst for the inclement weather is actually quite an anomaly for Louisiana this time of year. It's a cold front. Cold fronts don't usually make it into or through Louisiana during the middle of the summer. But as of this morning, a cold front and associated low-pressure system are centered over northwest Louisiana.

This weather maker is expected to drift slowly southward during the day on Friday and eventually approach Louisiana's Gulf Coast by later this weekend.

The storm system is forecast to be a prodigious rain producer and that's where the concerns from the Weather Prediction Center come in.

Over the next three days, at least some portion of Louisiana will at risk for an excessive rainfall event. That means that forecasters believe some of the storms that pass through the area will be capable of dropping large amounts of water over a small area in a short period of time.

This deluge could overwhelm municipal drainage systems and result in localized street flooding. The current forecast scenario from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles suggests that rainfall probabilities will be as high as 90% for much of south Louisiana through Monday.

Now, if you have weekend plans, don't cancel them because in most cases the rain and storms will move in and move out quickly so we won't call this weekend a washout. But do be prepared to move to a place of safety or shelter should a heavy rainstorm move over your area. If it does, it shouldn't linger too long.

The Storm Prediction Center does not forecast widespread severe weather with this storm system. But, some of the thunderstorms could reach severe limits. There was actually a tornado warning that occurred in South Louisiana yesterday during one of the heavier storms. But that scenario is more the exception than the rule.

Don't look for rain chances to ease up after the weekend either. Current long-range forecasts suggest Louisiana could have much higher than average rain chances all the way through next weekend. Just remember, if you encounter high water on the roadway, turn around and don't drown.