Alert archive / Louisiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2023

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 238, NWS Lake Charles, LA

December 9, 2023Rapides Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Dec 9, 2023, 6:25 PM CST for Rapides Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 50 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 9, 2023, 6:25 PM CST (00:25 UTC)
Expired
Dec 9, 2023, 7:15 PM CST
In force
50 min
Issued by
NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Rapides Parish, LA

The radar

The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:29 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Jackson, MS (KJAN), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 263 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2023-12-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1356 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2023-12-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 92 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1356 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-16 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
908 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
92 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
118 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.8
Supercell composite
3.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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 Dec 9, 6:00 PM CST, 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 9, 6:00 PM CST, 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
600 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Monday night)

Wx map shows the southwest to northeast oriented strong cold front
continuing to move southeast, just west of ELD/SHV/LFK. Temperatures
ahead of the front, have risen into the lower 80s, with dewpoints
in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Southwest winds around 15 mph with
gusts to 25 mph common across the area this afternoon. Radar
showing scattered showers over Central and South Central
Louisiana, and across the coastal waters. 18z Lake Charles
sounding showing increased sfc based CAPE at 2718 J/kg but not
much low level directional shear anymore. The Storm Prediction
Center continues a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) across parts of
Southeast Texas and most of Louisiana, with the Slight Risk (Level
2 of 5) over Central Louisiana parishes of Rapides, Avoyelles, as
well as northern Evangeline and St. Landry parishes. The greatest
threat of severe weather will be damaging winds. Areas within the
Slight Risk in Central Louisiana have the higher risk of a
possible tornado ahead and along the front.

Following the frontal passage tonight into Sunday will be very
strong cold air advection, bringing colder and drier air across
the region. Northwest winds will significantly increase by
Midnight and remain elevated through Noon Sunday with wind speed
20-25 mph and gusts over 30 mph at times. For this, issued a Wind
Advisory for areas of Central Louisiana, Southern Louisiana, and
Southeast Texas. Expect Sunday morning lows in the 40s with highs
not getting out the mid 50s Sunday afternoon.

Winds expected to diminish rapidly by late Sunday afternoon
through the overnight hours as the cold surface high over Texas
builds east over our region. With clear skies and nearly calm
winds expected for Monday morning, expect lows around 28-30 north
of I-10, and lower to mid 30s further south. Highs Monday
afternoon around 60 expected. Another clear and cold night
expected Monday night with lows 28-30 over Central Louisiana, and
mid 30s along the I-10 corridor of South Louisiana. Easterly winds
may keep temperatures up across Southeast Texas, expecting lower
40s there.

08/DML

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through next Friday)

The start of the longterm period appears dry with high pressure
ridge moving overhead, and seasonably cool with the remnants of a
cool airmass still set in the region. Temperatures Tuesday will have
moderated into the low to mid 60s, which is typical climo for this
time of year. On Wednesday, though, northeast winds from high
pressure moving through the northeast US looks to send southward a
weak frontal boundary which should push area-wide daytime temps down
into the low 60s through Thursday. This boundary will be very weak
but can be seen by a reinforcement of low PWATs Wednesday on
northeast flow.

And like ironic clockwork, since we're moving towards the next
weekend, that means we get to talk about the next weather system.
Early in the work week, guidance shows a shortwave trof coming
ashore in the Pacific Northwest. It slowly lumbers to the southeast
by Wednesday, with a closed upper low developing. Model agreement
continues through Thursday morning as the low moves into west Texas.

From here, we start to see some separating solutions between the
ECMWF and GFS, which lowers forecaster confidence in how next
weekend will play out. One solution takes the low to the north
across Oklahoma (ECMWF) while the other takes the low right over the
LCH CWA; each solution having each their own complications. It's too
far out to say for sure if and how this low forms and moves across
the southeast US, and then how that will directly impact us here.
However, there is enough confidence in the active El Nino pattern
we're in to expect some moisture return Wednesday and Thursday with
an increase in rain and potentially thunderstorm chances Friday and
Saturday with the passage of a low pressure system. Confidence in
these details should increase as we move into the work week.

11/Calhoun

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 600 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

This forecast period is mainly about thunder and wind across the
forecast area. Local 88Ds show scattered convection associated
with a trof axis, an embedded disturbance and sfc cold front
currently approaching KAEX and expected to impact the swrn
terminals over the next couple of hours...eventually reaching the
Acadiana terminals later this evening. All guidance slides the
rainfall west to east across the aviation forecast area by
essentially midnight, with a stiff nrly winds expected behind the
frontal passage. VFR ceilings should prevail, although forecast
soundings indicate MVFR cigs are likely for KLFT/KARA before a
drier wrly/nwrly flow develops aloft behind the trof passage and
scours out lower moisture, leaving behind generally clear skies
for Sunday.

25

&&

.MARINE...

Moderate onshore winds will continue through this evening. A
strong cold front will move through the region tonight, bringing
widespread showers and thunderstorms along with the possibility
for severe wind gusts and frequent cloud to water lightning. The
main marine concern will be after the frontal passage from late
tonight through tomorrow as strong north winds and building seas
develop in its wake. Sustained winds near 25 to 30 knots with
gusts 35 to 40 knots can be expected across the coastal waters,
with slightly lower values across the coastal lakes and bays. Gale
Warnings continue for the 0-60nm marine zones, with Small Craft
Advisories for the Inland Lakes and Bays tonight through Sunday.

With the strong offshore flow, water will be pushed away from the
coast and low water conditions of -1.0 to -2.0 Mean Lower Low
Water can be expected for the coastal lakes and bays, with a Low
Water Advisory in effect.

Conditions will begin to improve tomorrow night into Monday as
high pressure builds in behind the front with rapidly decreasing
winds and lowering seas expected as we head into the work week.
Winds and seas will increase by Tuesday night and remain elevated
through Thursday as a tightening pressure gradient produces a
prolonged and strong easterly fetch across the Northern Gulf of
Mexico.

08/DML

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX  42  56  28  59 /  80   0   0   0
LCH  46  57  33  59 /  90   0   0   0
LFT  49  57  33  58 /  80  10   0   0
BPT  46  58  34  60 /  80   0   0   0

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Wind Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday for
     LAZ029-032-033-044-045-055-073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-
     252>254.

TX...Wind Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday for
     TXZ515-516-615-616.

GM...Small Craft Advisory from 9 PM this evening to noon CST Sunday
     for GMZ430-432-435-436.

     Low Water Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday for
     GMZ430-432-435-436.

     Gale Warning from 9 PM this evening to noon CST Sunday for
     GMZ450-452-455-470-472-475.

     Small Craft Advisory from noon to 9 PM CST Sunday for GMZ450-452-
     455-470-472.

     Small Craft Advisory from noon Sunday to midnight CST Sunday
     night for GMZ475.

&&

SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM....11
AVIATION...25

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 9, 5:05 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Dec 9, 5:18 PM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Dec 9, 5:20 PM CST, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
520 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

LAZ027-028-092345-
Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
520 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN RAPIDES AND
NORTHEASTERN VERNON PARISHES THROUGH 545 PM CST...

At 520 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hutton, or 8 miles east of Slagle, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Clifton, Flatwoods, and Simpson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3130 9270 3112 9302 3123 9310 3135 9298
      3135 9295 3137 9295 3137 9292 3139 9291
      3139 9289 3141 9288 3141 9287 3142 9287
      3142 9285 3143 9285 3144 9283
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 228DEG 25KT 3125 9299

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Tingler
Special weather statement, Dec 9, 5:47 PM CST, 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
547 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

TXZ180-100030-
Tyler TX-
547 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN TYLER COUNTY THROUGH
630 PM CST...

At 546 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Warren, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Warren, Fred, Town Bluff, Spurger, Ivanhoe, and Hillister.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3082 9419 3080 9418 3079 9415 3077 9413
      3073 9414 3072 9413 3071 9414 3070 9412
      3069 9413 3069 9409 3066 9409 3066 9407
      3064 9405 3062 9408 3061 9407 3058 9410
      3053 9454 3070 9459
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 256DEG 31KT 3062 9457

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Tingler
Special weather statement, Dec 9, 5:54 PM CST, 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
554 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

TXZ261-262-100030-
Southern Newton TX-Southern Jasper TX-
554 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN NEWTON AND
SOUTHEASTERN JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM CST...

At 554 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Buna, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Buna, Wrights Settlement, and Devils Pocket.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3053 9385 3052 9371 3048 9372 3046 9370
      3045 9371 3044 9370 3042 9372 3043 9372
      3041 9373 3039 9376 3037 9376 3033 9400
      3047 9401
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 251DEG 25KT 3043 9392

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Tingler

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 9, 6:46 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHBeauregard44 min
Dec 9, 7:14 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHRapides46 min
Dec 9, 7:19 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAllen, Beauregard41 min
Dec 9, 7:54 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAllen, Evangeline, Rapides36 min
Dec 9, 7:58 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHCalcasieu47 min
Dec 9, 8:00 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAvoyelles, Rapides45 min
Dec 9, 8:26 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAllen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Saint Landry34 min
Dec 9, 8:38 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHJefferson Davis52 min
Dec 9, 8:39 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAvoyelles51 min
Dec 9, 8:58 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHSaint Landry47 min
Dec 9, 9:26 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAcadia, Lafayette34 min
Dec 9, 9:55 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHLafayette, Saint Martin50 min
Dec 9, 10:31 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHSaint Martin44 min
Dec 9, 11:16 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHIberia, St. Mary59 min
Dec 9, 6:28 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHNewton47 min
Dec 9, 6:35 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHHardin25 min
Dec 9, 6:51 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHHardin, Jefferson39 min
Dec 9, 7:21 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementLCHOrange39 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Louisiana, 2023Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2023

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.