Alert archive / Louisiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 16, NWS Lake Charles, LA

January 20, 2017Beauregard Parish, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jan 20, 2017, 9:16 PM CST for Beauregard Parish, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 23 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Jan 20, 2017, 9:16 PM CST (03:16 UTC)
Expired: Jan 20, 2017, 9:39 PM CST
In force: 23 min
Issued by: NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 1.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Beauregard Parish, LA, Calcasieu Parish, LA

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 36 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:20 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jan 20, 7:32 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 00:00Z, 3.3 hours before the alert went out and 36 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 627 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -37 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 842 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 68 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 156 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.2
Supercell composite: 0.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

611 
WUUS54 KLCH 210316
SVRLCH
LAC011-019-210400-
/O.NEW.KLCH.SV.W.0016.170121T0316Z-170121T0400Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
916 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Beauregard Parish in southwestern Louisiana...
  Northern Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 1000 PM CST

* At 916 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm was located near De Quincy,
  moving northeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage 
           to roofs, siding, and trees. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Lake Charles, De Quincy, Ragley, Dequincy, Longville, Buhler,
  Oretta and Gillis.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can
develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not
immediately likely, if one is spotted, act quickly and move to a
place of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a small interior
room.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

A tornado watch remains in effect until 200 AM CST for southwestern
Louisiana.

LAT...LON 3054 9313 3038 9313 3038 9307 3034 9305
      3027 9351 3045 9360 3066 9318
TIME...MOT...LOC 0316Z 243DEG 37KT 3037 9346 

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

24

1 follow-up statement

103 
WWUS54 KLCH 210339
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
939 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

LAC011-019-210349-
/O.CAN.KLCH.SV.W.0016.000000T0000Z-170121T0400Z/
Beauregard LA-Calcasieu LA-
939 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BEAUREGARD AND
NORTHERN CALCASIEU PARISHES IS CANCELLED...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer pose an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore the warning has been cancelled.  However small hail and
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 200 AM CST for southwestern
Louisiana.

LAT...LON 3054 9313 3038 9313 3038 9307 3034 9305
      3027 9351 3045 9360 3066 9318
TIME...MOT...LOC 0337Z 243DEG 37KT 3048 9321 

$$

24

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jan 20, 5:53 PM CST, 3 hours 23 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 20, 5:53 PM CST, 3 hours 23 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
553 PM CST Fri Jan 20 2017

.DISCUSSION...
21/00Z TAF Issuance.

&&

.AVIATION...
A cluster of showers and tstms currently approaching
Houston/Galveston Bay will move northeast into the area, and
expected to reach the BPT terminal by 02Z. This activity will
spread east acrs the area during the evening and overnight, with
minimal changes with respect to timing as convection reaches LCH
between 02-04Z and LFT/ARA by 04-06Z. Although not depicted in
TAFs at this time, there is the potential for some strong or svr
storms, capable of producing strong gusty winds and large hail.
Activity should remain a little more sctd near AEX but anticipate
a period of TSRA between 04-08Z. The typical lowering of
cigs/vsbys with convection can be expected (into MVFR/IFR
categories) but LIFR cigs/vsbys are expected to develop once the
convection exits to the east late tonight. Vsbys should improve to
VFR with cigs lifting to MVFR by 16Z Saturday while southwesterly
winds develop and strengthen to around 10 kt.

24

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 334 PM CST Fri Jan 20 2017/

DISCUSSION...Another very mild day ongoing which seems to have
become more of the norm this winter season. Surface obs showing
temps generally in the mid 70s, about 15 degrees above climo.
Morning LCH sounding indicating a very dry atmosphere overhead on
a west to southwest flow through the column. Precipitable water
very low coming in at 0.61 inches. Changes are on the way and
beginning to see that with showers and thunderstorms forming just
inland of the Texas coast.

Water vapor imagery showing mid and upper level moisture
beginning to advance into the region along and ahead of incoming
associated southern trof. Eastward advancing feature progged
similarly by models to move across the forecast area through the
overnight hours. Impressive wind fields noted ahead of trof with
100-120 kt southwest upper jet, southwest 50-60 kt at 500 mb and a
30-40 kt low level southerly jet. Latter feature will bring a
rapid influx of moisture which will add to the already then
established mid and upper moisture with precipitable water values
rocketing up to above 1.5 inches. Deep ascent is expected to
develop and will continue to maintain high end pops. Plenty of
shear will be available for development of initially elevated
rotating storms transitioning to possibly surface based with time
and eastward progression. SPC carrying the western half of the
forecast area within a slight risk of severe thunderstorms and the
eastern half in a more ominous enhanced outlook. Damaging winds
and hail will be possible, as well as isolated tornadoes.
Progressive nature of system will keep the severe threat
relatively short and rain totals generally under one inch.
Saturday expected to be very mild once again and just a slight
chance for a few showers and thunderstorms. Next weather maker
then moving through Saturday night.

Next trof will advance across the southwest conus Saturday with
rapid and deep cyclogenesis occurring as feature advances into the
Texas panhandle. Continuing deepening and vigorous low will
maintain an eastward trek advancing into the lower Mississippi
valley Saturday night. An associated cold front will sweep across
the area during this time-frame. Another severe weather threat
will emerge as wind fields remain impressive with increasingly
sharp lapse rates developing. Moisture return at this time however
appears somewhat limited and maintaining lower pops with this
next system. SPC is maintaining a slight risk of severe
thunderstorms for all of Louisiana and into the lakes area of
interior southeast Texas. Over the remainder of southeast Texas, a
lesser marginal risk is in place. Sunday them looks dry but
breezy to windy as tight pressure gradient comes into play
associated with 990 plus low moving through the lower Mississippi
valley and into the southeast conus.

Temperatures then cool for the first few days of the new week, but
will trend back upward beginning Tuesday ahead of a more robust
cold front advancing across the area late Wednesday.

MARINE...Moderate southerlies will remain in place overnight and
Saturday. Numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight as
a vigorous upper level disturbance advances across the gulf
waters. Rain chances will then taper off Saturday but increase
Saturday night as strong low pressure advances through the lower
Mississippi valley and into the southeast conus sending a cold
front through the northwest gulf. Dangerously strong winds are
expected to develop in the wake of the front along with unusually
high seas. A gale watch is in effect.

23

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  58  72  54  65 /  50  30  50  10
LCH  63  74  58  68 /  80  20  40  10
LFT  65  76  59  69 /  80  30  50  10
BPT  63  76  57  69 /  80  20  40  10

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
TX...None.
GM...Gale Watch from late Saturday night through late Sunday night
     for GMZ450-452-455-470-472-475.

&&

AVIATION...24

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 20, 4:57 PM CST, 4 hours 19 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
457 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-
212300-
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-
457 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
LOUISIANA, SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA, SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, WEST
CENTRAL LOUISIANA, AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AS A SIGNIFICANT
UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE ADVANCES ACROSS THE REGION. THE STORM
PREDICTION CENTER HAS PLACED THE WESTERN PORTION OF THE FORECAST
AREA WITHIN A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. THE EASTERN
PORTION OF THE AREA IS WITHIN A SLIGHTLY HIGHER ENHANCED THREAT.
DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL ARE POSSIBLE AS WELL AS AN ISOLATED
TORNADO.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

PATCHY FOG WILL BE POSSIBLE EARLY SATURDAY WITH RAINS TAPERING OFF.
STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL RETURN AGAIN FOR SATURDAY
NIGHT AS A COLD FRONT SPEEDS ACROSS THE AREA. COOLER TEMPERATURES
AND DRIER AIR WILL THEN BE IN PLACE FOR SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURES WILL BE ON THE INCREASE FOR MID-WEEK
AHEAD OF A MORE ROBUST COLD FRONT ADVANCING ACROSS THE AREA.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE
REQUIRED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT.

GMZ430-432-435-450-452-455-470-472-475-212300-
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-
457 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF GULF OF MEXICO.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AS A SIGNIFICANT
UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE ADVANCES ACROSS THE REGION. SOME LATE
NIGHT FOG WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE AS RAINS DIMINISH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

EARLY MORNING FOG WILL BE POSSIBLE. OTHERWISE ANOTHER ROUND OF
POTENTIALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE ON THE DOCKET FOR SATURDAY
NIGHT AS A COLD FRONT SPEEDS ACROSS THE NORTHWEST GULF. THIS
FRONT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY DANGEROUSLY STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS FOR
SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT...AS WELL AS UNUSUALLY HIGH SEAS AS DEEP
LOW PRESSURE ADVANCES THROUGH THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND
INTO THE SOUTHEAST CONUS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 20, 7:55 PM CST, 1 hour 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
755 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

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

0752 PM     HAIL             VIDOR                   30.13N 94.00W
01/20/2017  E0.88 INCH       ORANGE             TX   PUBLIC

&&

MOGGED

Local storm report, Jan 20, 8:12 PM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
812 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

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

0753 PM     HAIL             VIDOR                   30.13N 94.00W
01/20/2017  E1.00 INCH       ORANGE             TX   PUBLIC

0805 PM     TSTM WND GST     BEAUMONT                30.09N 94.14W
01/20/2017  E70 MPH          JEFFERSON          TX   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ASSOCIATED WITH WALL CLOUD.

&&

MOGGED

Local storm report, Jan 20, 8:14 PM CST, 1 hour 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
814 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

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

0755 PM     HAIL             LAKEVIEW                30.22N 94.11W
01/20/2017  E1.00 INCH       HARDIN             TX   PUBLIC

&&

MOGGED

Local storm report, Jan 20, 8:16 PM CST, 1 hour before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
816 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

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

0814 PM     HAIL             ORANGE                  30.10N 93.76W
01/20/2017  E1.00 INCH       ORANGE             TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SD REPORTS DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

&&

MOGGED

Local storm report, Jan 20, 8:39 PM CST, 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
839 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

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

0835 PM     HAIL             MAURICEVILLE            30.22N 93.87W
01/20/2017  E0.25 INCH       ORANGE             TX   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

MOGGED

Local storm report, Jan 20, 9:05 PM CST, 11 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
905 PM CST FRI JAN 20 2017

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

0840 PM     HAIL             ORANGE                  30.10N 93.76W
01/20/2017  E1.75 INCH       ORANGE             TX   PUBLIC

&&

MOGGED

The office that day

Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 20, 8:03 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Beauregard	42 min
Jan 20, 8:32 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	28 min
Jan 20, 8:56 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	21 min
Jan 20, 9:38 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Calcasieu	37 min
Jan 20, 10:05 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard	25 min
Jan 20, 10:21 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Landry	24 min
Jan 20, 10:26 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis	34 min
Jan 20, 10:44 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Jefferson Davis	31 min
Jan 20, 10:47 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Landry	28 min
Jan 20, 10:50 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	LCH		55 min
Jan 20, 10:59 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Evangeline	31 min
Jan 20, 11:05 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Jefferson Davis	25 min
Jan 20, 11:09 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	LCH		66 min
Jan 20, 11:10 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Avoyelles, Saint Landry	20 min
Jan 20, 11:28 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis	32 min
Jan 20, 11:32 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Saint Landry	28 min
Jan 20, 11:35 PM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	LCH	Calcasieu	115 min
Jan 20, 11:52 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Saint Landry	8 min
Jan 20, 11:56 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Saint Landry	19 min
Jan 21, 12:12 AM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Evangeline, Saint Landry	33 min
Jan 21, 12:16 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Avoyelles	44 min
Jan 21, 12:47 AM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Saint Landry	28 min
Jan 21, 12:53 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Vernon	67 min
Jan 21, 1:07 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Landry	68 min
Jan 21, 1:19 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Saint Landry	26 min
Jan 21, 1:34 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Avoyelles, Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin	56 min
Jan 21, 1:45 AM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	LCH	Saint Landry, Saint Martin	2 hr
Jan 21, 2:11 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Evangeline, Rapides	49 min
Jan 21, 2:50 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Avoyelles, Saint Landry	40 min
Jan 21, 2:53 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Saint Martin	52 min
Jan 21, 3:19 AM CST	Marine Dense Fog Advisory	LCH		6 hr
Jan 21, 8:53 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Allen	4 days
Jan 21, 8:53 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Allen	7 days
Jan 21, 8:53 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	5 days
Jan 21, 8:53 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion	5 days
Jan 21, 8:53 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin	57 hr
Jan 21, 9:26 AM CST	Gale Warning	LCH		45 hr
Jan 21, 9:26 AM CST	Small Craft Advisory	LCH		54 hr
Jan 21, 1:38 PM CST	Wind Advisory	LCH	Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, Evangeline, Lafayette and 4 more	34 hr
Jan 21, 2:45 PM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Saint Landry	45 hr
Jan 21, 3:35 PM CST	Low Water Advisory	LCH		18 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Louisiana, 2017 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.