Flash Flood Warning 23, NWS Lake Charles, LA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1106 AM CDT Wed May 3 2017

.UPDATE...
Busy morning underway with svr storms already ongoing. Convection
was occurring along a warm frontal boundary that is lifting north
acrs the area. Abundant moisture spreading northward will interact
with the unstable warm-sector airmass and this will maintain the
potential for numerous showers and tstms through the day. PW
values near 2 inches will allow for very efficient rain rates
within storms and flash flooding will be likely in some areas.
Adjusted QPF values slightly based on recent radar trends
resulting in storm totals of 4 to 6 inches, especially acrs the
southern half of the area. Some localized amounts of 8 to 10
inches could be possible in isolated spots.

In addition, fcst soundings indicate deep layer shear and ample
instability acrs the area maintaining the potential for some
strong to severe storms through the day before a squall line
approaches this evening and overnight in association with a cold
front. Tweaked PoPs/WX slightly to reflect recent trends and
latest Hi Res guidance.

Meanwhile, gradient winds will strengthen within the warm sector
as sfc low pres deepens over northern TX along the cold front.
Winds around 20 MPH with gusts to 30 MPH will be possible mainly
along and southeast of a line from BPT to AEX. Adjusted the Wind
Advisory to include the Acadiana region prior to 00Z.

24

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 633 AM CDT Wed May 3 2017/

AVIATION...
Ongoing thunderstorms will continue to develop and expand in
coverage throughout the morning. Thunderstorms are expected to
become prevailing at most of the area TAF sites by this
afternoon. A squall line with strong winds...heavy rainfall...and
possibly hail is expected to move from NW to SE across the region
late this afternoon into this evening. The squall line is forecast
to clear AEX/BPT/LCH by 06Z tonight and LFT/ARA by 09Z. Behind the
front winds will shift to the NW and remain elevated through the
night.

26

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 434 AM CDT Wed May 3 2017/

DISCUSSION...
Rapid changes with deteriorating weather conditions expected
today. Severe thunderstorms possible, heavy rains leading to
additional flooding, strong south to southeast winds inland and
offshore with small craft advisories in effect, along with minor
tidal coastal flooding possible.

First wave of convection expected to ramp up significantly across
Southeast Texas around daybreak, with significant moisture and
lift allowing thunderstorms to spread across the remainder of the
region later this morning and afternoon. Reasoning: Significant
mid/upper level shortwave moving through the southern U.S. will
allow for surface low pressure to move East Texas and Louisiana
followed by a strong cold front for early May. The frontal passage
will likely result in a significant squall line either just ahead
or along the frontal passage later this evening, exiting from
northwest to southeast late this evening into early Thursday
morning. A quick summary of the hazards expected today include:

Severe weather threat:
SPC has upgraded entire area to an Enhanced Risk, with large hail
possible and damaging winds the primary severe weather threat.

Flash Flood Watch:
Moderate risk of excessive rainfall today with rain amounts of 3
to 6 inches are expected across Southern Louisiana, with isolated
amounts exceeding 8 inches possible. Elsewhere slight risk of
excessive rainfall with rain amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected
with isolated amounts exceeding 5 inches possible across
Southeast Texas and Central Louisiana.

Coastal Flood Advisory:
South to southeasterly winds will continue strengthening today
ahead of the next cold front this evening and early Thursday
morning. The increased onshore flow will lead to elevated tides of
1.5 to 2.0 feet above predicted levels this afternoon and evening.
This will result in tidal levels between 3.3 - 3.8 feet MLLW later
this afternoon and evening.

Once the front passes, the precipitation will come to an end, with
cooler than normal temperatures expected though Saturday. A
warming trend with no precipitation is expected Sunday through
Tuesday.

DML

MARINE...
South to southeasterly winds will continue strengthening today
ahead of the next cold front this evening and early Thursday
morning. The increased onshore flow will lead to elevated tides
of 1.5 to 2.0 feet above predicted levels this afternoon and
evening. Abundant moisture and lift along and ahead of the front
will bring increasing shower and thunderstorms today, with the
strongest storms expected with the frontal passage later this
evening into Thursday morning. Moderate to strong offshore flow is
expected Thursday through early Friday as high pressure builds
over the region. For the increased winds today and post frontal
overnight, issued Small Craft Advisories for all marine zones,
tapering off Thursday evening for the lakes/bays into the
overnight hours Friday morning for the remaining zones.

DML

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  77  54  71  51 / 100 100  10   0
LCH  79  58  74  54 / 100 100  10   0
LFT  80  59  74  54 / 100 100  10   0
BPT  81  57  75  54 / 100 100  10   0

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for LAZ027>033-
     041>045-052>055-073-074.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 1 AM CDT Thursday for LAZ073-074.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Thursday for LAZ044-045-052>055-073-
     074.

     Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LAZ028-029-031>033-
     041>043.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 4 AM CDT Thursday for LAZ052>054.

TX...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for TXZ180-201-215-
     216-259>262.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 1 AM CDT Thursday for TXZ215-216.

     Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for TXZ215-216.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM CDT Friday for GMZ470-472-475.

     Small Craft Exercise Caution from Thursday evening through
     Friday morning for GMZ470-472-475.

     Small Craft Advisory from 7 AM to 4 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ430-
     432-435.

     Small Craft Exercise Caution through Thursday morning for GMZ430-
     432-435.

     Small Craft Advisory until 1 AM CDT Friday for GMZ450-452-455.

&&

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
515 AM CDT Wed May 3 2017

LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-
041100-
Vernon-Rapides-Avoyelles-Beauregard-Allen-Evangeline-St. Landry-
Calcasieu-Jefferson Davis-Acadia-Lafayette-Upper St. Martin-
Vermilion-Iberia-St. Mary-Lower St. Martin-West Cameron-
East Cameron-Tyler-Hardin-Jefferson-Orange-Northern Jasper-
Northern Newton-Southern Jasper-Southern Newton-
515 AM CDT Wed May 3 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Louisiana, south central Louisiana, southwest Louisiana, west
central Louisiana, and southeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight
Rapid changes with deteriorating weather conditions expected
today. The Storm Prediction Center has entire area with an Enhanced
Risk of severe thunderstorms, with large hail possible and
damaging winds the primary severe weather threat.

Moderate risk of excessive rainfall today with rain amounts of 3
to 6 inches are expected across Southern Louisiana, with isolated
amounts exceeding 8 inches possible. Elsewhere slight risk of
excessive rainfall with rain amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected
with isolated amounts exceeding 5 inches possible across
Southeast Texas and Central Louisiana.

Elevated south to southeasterly winds will lead to elevated tides
of 1.5 to 2.0 feet above predicted levels this afternoon and
evening. This will result in tidal levels between 3.3 - 3.8 feet
MLLW later this afternoon and evening along coastal Southern
Louisiana and Southeast Texas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday
Precipitation expected to end once the cold front passes, with
cooler than normal temperatures expected though Saturday. A
warming trend with no precipitation is expected Sunday through
Tuesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation likely needed later this morning through the
evening hours.

GMZ430-432-435-450-452-455-470-472-475-041100-
Sabine Lake-Calcasieu Lake-Vermilion Bay-
Coastal waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City
LA out 20 NM-
Waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from  Intracoastal City to Cameron LA from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA from
20 to 60 NM-
515 AM CDT Wed May 3 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Gulf of Mexico.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight
South to southeasterly winds will continue strengthening today
ahead of the next cold front this evening and early Thursday
morning. Moderate to strong offshore flow is expected behind the
cold front. Small craft advisories are in effect for all marine
zones.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday
Moderate to strong offshore flow will continue behind the cold
front on Thursday, subsiding on Friday. Small craft advisories
will continue into Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation likely needed later this morning through the
evening hours.

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
1043 AM CDT WED MAY 03 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0905 AM     HAIL             2 E FOREST HILL         31.05N 92.49W
05/03/2017  E2.75 INCH       RAPIDES            LA   PUBLIC

            MULTIPLE PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS SHOWED HAIL ESTIMATED
            AT TENNIS TO BASEBALL SIZED HAIL NEAR FOREST HILL. TIME
            ESTIMATED BY RADAR.

&&

RACKLEY

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
1045 AM CDT WED MAY 03 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1030 AM     HAIL             INTRACOASTAL CITY       29.78N 92.16W
05/03/2017  E1.75 INCH       VERMILION          LA   PUBLIC

            PUBLIC REPORT OF GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL.

&&

STW

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
1051 AM CDT WED MAY 03 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0810 AM     HAIL             KINDER                  30.49N 92.85W
05/03/2017  E1.75 INCH       ALLEN              LA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL IN KINDER
            FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MINUTES.

&&

RACKLEY

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
1058 AM CDT WED MAY 03 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0908 AM     HAIL             SSE FOREST HILL         31.05N 92.52W
05/03/2017  E2.00 INCH       RAPIDES            LA   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS SPOTTER REPORTED 2 INCH HAIL AND BROKEN
            WINDSHIELD IN FOREST HILL.

&&

RACKLEY

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
1109 AM CDT WED MAY 03 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1109 AM     FLASH FLOOD      LAFAYETTE               30.22N 92.03W
05/03/2017                   LAFAYETTE          LA   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF A COUPLE OF CARS STALLED ON JOHNSON ST. WITH
            WATER ABOUT A FOOT DEEP.

&&

STW

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
1112 AM CDT WED MAY 03 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1105 AM     HAIL             2 NW FRANKLIN           29.82N 91.54W
05/03/2017  E1.75 INCH       ST. MARY           LA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER REPORT OF GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL WHICH BUSTED
            WINDSHEILD OF TRUCK.

&&

STW