We've warned you for close to a week about to the potential for severe weather and that threat appears to be playing out. A Tornado Watch is posted for metro Baton Rouge and SW Mississippi through 8 p.m., with a Watch for Acadiana and SW Louisiana through 4 p.m.
You may think that with the watch set to expire at 8 p.m. locally, that would mark the end of the severe weather threat. However, we're likely to either see an extension of that watch or a new watch issued later tonight. We are essentially facing the potential for two separate rounds of severe weather. The initial round will be in the form of scattered strong to severe storms well in advance of the cold front. These 'discrete' thunderstorm cells will have a somewhat better chance of becoming tornadic, although any tornadoes are still expected to be isolated.
The second, primary threat of severe weather will accompany a squall line. Typically squall lines produce more in the way of straight-line wind damage, but isolated tornadoes will remain possible. It is the squall line that will impact most of the area late tonight. Radar trends suggest that the models may be a little too slow in moving the squall line eastward, but look for the primary threat window to be roughly 8 p.m. - midnight for metro Baton Rouge.
A Flash Flood Watch also remains in effect for all of our viewing area through 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
We don't expect rains as bad as what we experienced in late October, but widespread totals of 2" to 4" can be expected, with locally higher amounts possible.
Stay with the First Alert Storm Team throughout the remainder of today and tonight as we track the approaching storms. We'll have coverage on air, online and in our free weather app. Also, make sure you have a way to receive weather warnings before going to bed tonight. We highly recommend a NOAA Weather Radio which will sound an alarm if a warning is issued for your area.
