Baton Rouge area could see strong to severe storms Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Widespread showers and storms will be occurring just to the west over the Texas/Louisiana border and northern Louisiana on Tuesday.

These storms will eventually make their way eastward Tuesday night through Wednesday ahead of a cold front. Widespread to numerous severe storms are probable over portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Storm Prediction Center has placed areas near and north of the 10/12 corridors under a moderate risk (4/5) with an enhanced risk (3/5) elsewhere.

Threats:
All modes of severe weather will be a possibility where tornadoes and damaging winds look to be the main hazard. The area is placed under a hatched significant severe probability below: that means that strong tornadoes (EF2+) and damaging wind gusts 74mph+ are possible. Some large hail will also be a threat.

School closures in, near Baton Rouge due to Wednesday severe weather threat

Tornado Risk
Tornado Risk
Severe Wind Risk
Severe Wind Risk

There will be a chance for heavy rainfall that could lead to isolated instances of flash flooding. The rain should be pretty fast-moving, but a quick 2-4″ of rainfall could occur which might cause some flooding concerns, especially for low-lying and poor drainage areas. The heaviest rain looks to remain near and north of the 10/12 corridors. A slight risk (2/4) for flash flooding is placed over most of the area.

Wed. Flash Flood Risk
Wed. Flash Flood Risk
3-Day Rainfall
3-Day Rainfall

A Flood Watch has been issued for northern areas over the Florida Parishes and Southwest Mississippi counties from 7am-7pm Wednesday.

Winds outside of any storms will be rather gusty. Southerly winds around 20-30 mph gusting up to 40-45 mph has prompted a Wind Advisory to be in effect from 9am-6pm Wednesday.

Timing:
Scattered rain and a few storms will be possible late Tuesday night before the bulk of the rain and thunderstorms move in Wednesday morning. Storms should persist through the morning into the afternoon, eventually clearing from west to east into the evening. The best time frame for severe weather will between 7am-5pm for our area.

As the cold front sweeps through and the surface low exists to the northeast, some wrap-around lingering showers will be possible early Thursday before we dry out.

  • Pre-dawn
    Pre-dawn
  • Morning
    Morning
  • Afternoon
    Afternoon
  • Evening
    Evening
  • Thur. Monrning
    Thur. Monrning

How to Prepare

Be sure to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and stay tuned to updated forecasts during the day. Make sure your phone is unmuted, charged and turned on for notifications. Turn off your do not disturb and take your phone off of silent mode so those alerts can push through to you.

‘Ahead of the Storm’: What to know, how to get ready before tornadoes, strong storms, heavy rain

With an overnight aspect to this event, make sure any alerts or warnings can wake you up as well.

Have a plan and a safe place to go if a warning is issued for your location. Find a lower-level, interior room away from windows.

You can always check out the Interactive Radar here. For the latest forecast information, check out our weather page.

Remember that you can download our weather app available in the App Store and on Google Play. Just search for “BR Proud Weather”.

Follow and keep up to date with the Storm Tracker Team:

Chief Meteorologist Sam Parish –  Twitter | Facebook | sparish@brproud.com

Meteorologist Brandon Lashbrook – Twitter | Facebook | blashbrook@brproud.com

Meteorologist Ashley ReneeTwitter | Facebook | arenee@brproud.com

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