Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Strong Storms Possible Early Thursday

By Jay Grymes & Steve Caparotta


(Heads Up!  The December Solstice -- the “official” start of winter -- arrives at 5:12AM on Friday.)
The clouds were slow to build over the WAFB region today -- no complaints there, I’m sure! --  and the mild afternoon with highs in the upper 70°s may have left many wondering about the stormy forecast we’ve been chatting up for Thursday morning.
Yes, the rains and t-storms are still coming!  And it looks like it could be a real mess for the Thursday morning commute, with rains and t-storms.  Some of those t-storms could be on the strong side, and as we reported on Tuesday, most of the WAFB viewing area along and north of the I-10/12 corridor is included in a zone for a “Slight Risk” of severe weather by the NWS Storm Prediction Center.  The main severe-weather threat will be straight-line winds; thankfully, the tornado threat remains extremely low.

The other bit of good news is that the forecast still calls for this front to be a relatively “fast mover.”  The rains should end in the metro Baton Rouge area by mid-morning, with skies clearing by, if not before, lunch-time. (Rains end and skies clear later for areas south and east of BR.)
Thursday will be an “upside down” day temperature-wise.  Sunrise temps for many will be in the upper 60°s to near 70°, but once the front moves through, temps will begin a steady fall throughout the day.  Look for sunny skies by Thursday afternoon, but temps will be in the 50°s and gusty winds will give it an even cooler “feel.”  By the evening, many of us will be in the 40°s ... and by Friday morning, a good portion of the WAFB viewing area will be dealing with a light freeze!
Highs on Friday will top out in the upper 50°s for most of us, with another light freeze for Saturday morning.
Last-minute shoppers will be pleased to know that the weekend weather will be cooperative: mainly sunny with highs in the low 60°s for Saturday followed by a mild, partly cloudy Sunday with highs approaching 70°!

The weather on Monday and Tuesday may not do much for those looking outdoors for some added Christmas spirit -- we’ve got scattered rains in the extended outlook for Monday and our next cold front scheduled to arrive on Christmas Day.  As of now, we’re posting highs in the 70°s for both days, with another significant chill-down as we head into the mid-week.
So ... 70°s today, freezes for Friday and Saturday, then back to 70°s for Christmas -- enjoy the ride on our Louisiana Winter-Weather Roller-Coaster!

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