Weather Service – Excessive Rainfall Event Likely for Louisiana

The NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, often called the Weather Prediction Center is one of nine National Centers for Environmental Protection that make up the National Weather Service. As you might imagine, the Weather Prediction Center's main job is to forecast weather conditions for Louisiana and the rest of the nation. For the first part of this week, Louisiana will figure prominently in the WPC's forecasts.

A frontal system is currently pushing across the nation and by later this evening that frontal system will begin kicking off showers and some strong thunderstorms in east Texas and northwestern Louisiana. Those showers and storms are expected to spread southward over Tuesday and Wednesday and that will put a large portion of Louisiana under the gun for severe storms.

Pictured above is the graphic outline from the Storm Prediction Center for Tuesday's forecast. As you can see a large portion of Louisiana is in the slight risk or marginal risk of severe storms. There is also a very concerning area of west-central Louisiana that has been placed at an enhanced risk of severe storms. That's never a good sign.

One of the bigger issues residents in the state might face from this week's storm system is the threat of heavy rain. The National Weather Service Office in Lake Charles has posted this graphic, you can see it below, of where the heaviest rain is most likely to fall over the next several days.

As you can see the areas along and north of I-10 are under the gun for heavier rainfall than those who live south of I-10 might be. Because of that heavy rainfall potential, the Weather Prediction Center has placed a large portion of Louisiana in the slight and marginal risk categories for an excessive rainfall event. Some portions of northern Louisiana are at a moderate risk for heavier downpours during the same forecast period.

What Is An Excessive Rainfall Event?

In a nutshell, an excessive rainfall event happens when rainfall rates exceed an area's ability to drain. When that happens you're likely to see street flooding, some ponding of water on roadways and bridge floors, and some lanes and some entire roadways closed down because of high water.

As we mentioned, the National Weather Service is anticipating anywhere from one to three inches of rainfall between now and Wednesday evening. Some locales will receive more rain while others will get less than the forecast amount. Please be cognizant of the potential for high water across roadways and please, turn around, and don't drown should you encounter such an issue in your travels.