Weather forecasting is not an exact science but the winning percentages of today's modern meteorologists are far better than the winning percentages of those that play Claw Grabber games.  I say that so you won't be too upset if we don't nail this forecast down to the hour. However, I do think we have enough information so you can plan your Mardi Gras activities on Sunday accordingly.

First, the Storm Prediction Center has placed the eastern half of Acadiana under a marginal threat for severe storms on Sunday. Forecasters believe the heaviest of Sunday's storms will develop over eastern Louisiana and Central and Southern Mississippi.

The National Weather Service office in Lake Charles indicated in their forecast that the greatest threat for thunderstorms and heavy rain in the Lafayette area will come between 1 PM and 7 PM. Forecasters believe once the system moves out the rain will end quickly but gusty northerly winds and falling temperatures will become the concern.

Our local weather experts, the Storm Team Three Weather Team at KATC TV is thinking along the same lines as National Weather Service forecasters. The KATC Futurecast shows scattered showers in the area for Sunday morning but the more organized areas of rain and thunderstorms pushing into western Acadiana about 1 PM.

The KATC Futurecast is a little more succinct on the storm system's timing. Their forecast puts the heaviest activity in the heart of Acadiana somewhere between 3 PM and 6 PM.

If that forecast holds then things should be clearing out by the time the music kicks in at Cajun Field.  And looking at the Mardi Gras Parades scheduled for Sunday in Acadiana I don't see any of those parades having a real issue with strong storms. A passing shower could certainly put a damper on things but most of the parades and events are set to get started fairly early in the afternoon.

 

 

 

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