Louisiana Storm Update: Tornado Watch Now, Freeze Warning Monday

As we approach Noon in Louisiana the National Weather Service Radar Mosaic combining images from Lake Charles and Shreveport as well as other Weather Service sites shows the leading edge of a line of strong storms has entered Caddo, Bossier, and Desoto Parishes.  Here's what that radar scan looked like at Noon.

You can see the live radar from the NWS Mosaic, here. If you do look at the live scan you should be able to pinpoint the issue that Louisiana will be facing this Sunday afternoon and evening. It does appear that the greater threat of stronger storms will be confined to east-central and northeastern Louisiana and west-central Mississippi.

The area of "Enhanced" concern does include the cities of Alexandria and Monroe in Louisiana. It also includes the cities of Jackson and Vicksburg in Mississippi. The majority of the rest of the state has been placed at a slight risk for severe storms.

Because of that threat, forecasters with the Storm Prediction Center have issued Tornado Watch #1 for Louisiana and portions of southeastern Texas too. The tornado watch includes the following parishes in Louisiana.

ALLEN, BEAUREGARD, BIENVILLE, BOSSIER, CADDO, CALDWELL, CLAIBORNE, DE SOTO, GRANT, JACKSON, LA SALLE, LINCOLN, MOREHOUSE, NATCHITOCHES, OUACHITA, RAPIDES,RED RIVER, SABINE, UNION, VERNON, WEBSTER, and WINN

That Tornado Watch is in effect until 6 pm Sunday. We don't mean to speculate but based on the forecast for the evening and the way conditions appear to be shaping up do not be surprised if more severe weather watches and perhaps warnings aren't issued as we move through the afternoon.

Assuming we make it through the evening hours unscatched our next major weather issue in Louisiana will be upon us before you wake up on Monday. The National Weather Service has posted a COLD WEATHER ADVISORY for the I-10 corridor and this is more than "it got a few degrees colder".

Temperatures will begin dropping across western and southwestern Louisiana shortly after sundown or the front passes, whichever comes first. The temperatures will fall rapidly dropping as much as ten degrees in an hours time in some locations. If you include a stiff northerly breeze, it will feel even colder than that.

The graphic above from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles gives a very succinct explanation of what you will be waking up to and walking out into on Monday morning.

Please make sure your children have the proper coats, jackets, pants, sweaters, hoodies, and whatever cold-weather gear they need lined up and ready to go. Otherwise, the return to school in 2025 will be a bit chaotic.

Forecasters do expect cold temperatures across the region for the next several days. Overnight low temperatures near freezing will be likely at least through mid-week. Afternoon high temperatures will struggle to get out of the 40s until next Saturday.

But skies should be clear for those wanted to catch a glimpse of the first full moon of January on the 13th. It's called the Wolf Moon. We assume it earned that moniker from the howls that early people used to hear on cold winter nights as the wolfpacks were communicating and congregating.  It would also be a great reason to snuggle. Valentine's Day is coming up in about six weeks, so you might as well start planning for that too.