Drew's Wonderful World of Weather: Next Cold Front on Track...Super Spring Weather to Round Out Work Week..

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

SW Louisiana Forecast Discussion...This is an abbreviated text version of the forecast. For the complete rundown of the weather for the next week listen to the audio blog.

Due to time constraints, here are some bulleted points about what lies ahead in the world of weather.

-Intermittent light rain and/or drizzle overnight ahead of our next cold front.

-Next cold front currently sliding through Central Texas, and will push ESE through the night. An MCS has developed ahead the front, and will move through the forecast area in the time frame between 6a.m. and noon Thursday.

-No severe weather is anticipated with lacking dynamics and instability, but certainly some thunderstorms are expected Thursday morning ahead of the boundary. The prospects of severe weather are low, but will be monitored in more instability is present than models currently project. One or two severe cells couldn't be ruled out, but that appears to be a more likely occurrence further N and E of the forecast area. Rain chances in the likely category tonight and Thursday morning before coming to an end around lunch time.

-Fast moving system, rainfall totals around 1-2-1" expected.

-Front clears the forecast area in its entirety by noon Thursday, and conditions improve rapidly with modest CAA and drier air taking over in its wake Thursday afternoon. Some sunshine is expected before day's end. So, pack the umbrella for your morning drive, and the sunglasses for the afternoon drive.

-Above normal temperatures tonight and Thursday. Lows near 60 while Thursday highs should be in the mid 70s. Cooling off Thursday night with clear skies and modest CAA...mid 40s.

-Beautiful weather on tap Friday and Saturday as Pacific high pressure dominates. Sunny skies and very pleasant temperatures in store for the end of the work week and first half of the weekend. Cool, refreshing mornings, and pleasant afternoons. Lows 45-50 each day and highs 67-72 Friday, and 70-75 Saturday.

-Progressive late March pattern in place with another cold front scheduled for early on Palm Sunday. Moisture limited, but a return flow will be noted by Saturday evening. Expect increasing clouds with the possibility of a few sprinkles or a light shower in the wee morning hours of Sunday, but no big deal. Milder weather in store for Saturday night/Sunday morning with the return flow. Lows back into the mid 50s. Clouds decrease during the day Sunday with clear skies returning in the afternoon, and much drier air in place. Little or no temperature change for Sunday maximums compared to Saturday...low to mid 70s.

-High pressure dominates the rest of the forecast next week for Spring Break. Beautiful weather Monday-Wednesday. No mention of rain, and likely cloud free weather all 3 days. Perfection for Spring Break! Seasonable temperatures expected with lows in the mid 40s to around 50 and highs in the low to mid 70s. Slow moderation of temperatures is noted.

Can you believe we'll slide into April next week? That's just beyond the forecast period right now, but briefly looking at the extended shows dry weather for the latter half of Spring Break week, however, temperatures may trend to above normal with a pronounced Southerly flow established by that time. High temperatures could approach 80 by Good Friday with morning lows climbing back into the 50s. Models insistent on a big storm Easter weekend, but I won't be too specific about that at this time, since it's still in that proverbial "gray area" so to speak. I will hone in on that with more specificity next week.

Zone Forecast & 7 Day Outlook to follow...all other text products will be produced tonight! Normal format should return tomorrow!

Tonight...Cloudy with off and on light rain and/or drizzle through the night transitioning to showers & thunderstorms by morning. Low 61. SSE wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Thursday...Cloudy with showers & thunderstorms likely in the morning. Ending with Decreasing Cloudiness in the afternoon. High 75. SSE wind 10-15 mph becoming NNW 15-20 mph and gusty by noon. Chance of rain 70% in the morning.

Thursday Night...Clear and Cooler. Low 45. NNW wind 10 mph.

Friday...Sunny. High 68. North wind 5-10 mph.

Friday Night...Clear. Low 48. NE wind 5 mph.

Saturday...Sunny. High 73. SE wind 5-10 mph.

Drew's 7 Day Outlook

Thursday

3-25-10