Alert archive / Louisiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 100, NWS Lake Charles, LA

May 20, 2025Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 20, 2025, 9:44 PM CDT for Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 33 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
May 20, 2025, 9:44 PM CDT (02:44 UTC)
Expired
May 20, 2025, 10:17 PM CDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.25 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Avoyelles Parish, LA

The radar

The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 93 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:47 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

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 00:00Z, 2.7 hours before the alert went out and 156 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, Lake Charles Mun, LA at 00:00Z on 2025-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2080 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, Lake Charles Mun, LA at 00:00Z on 2025-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 14 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
2080 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-42 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
805 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
14 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
92 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.2

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 May 20, 9:27 PM CDT, 17 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 20, 9:27 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 20, 4:50 PM CDT, 4 hours 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
450 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TXZ201-515-202245-
Hardin TX-Upper Jefferson TX-
450 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON AND
SOUTHWESTERN HARDIN COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM CDT...

At 449 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Daisetta, or 10 miles northeast of Liberty, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Sour Lake, Nome, and China.

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 3028 9431 2994 9426 2997 9444 3011 9445
      3011 9460 3023 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 266DEG 24KT 3012 9465

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Rua
Special weather statement, May 20, 5:33 PM CDT, 4 hours 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
533 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TXZ180-201-202330-
Hardin TX-Tyler TX-
533 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN TYLER AND NORTH
CENTRAL HARDIN COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM CDT...

At 533 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wildwood, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Warren, Wildwood, Village Mills, 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 3070 9433 3046 9432 3048 9457 3049 9457
      3049 9454 3064 9457 3066 9457
TIME...MOT...LOC 2233Z 267DEG 11KT 3057 9453

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Rua
Special weather statement, May 20, 7:12 PM CDT, 2 hours 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
712 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

LAZ027-TXZ180-259-260-210100-
Vernon LA-Northern Newton TX-Northern Jasper TX-Tyler TX-
712 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL VERNON PARISH...
SOUTHEASTERN TYLER...NORTHERN NEWTON AND EAST CENTRAL JASPER COUNTIES
THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 711 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles west of Toledo Bend Dam to near
Farrsville to near Jasper to near Warren. Movement was east at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Jasper, Newton, Kirbyville, Toledo Bend Dam, Fred, Warren, Town
Bluff, Burkeville, Farrsville, Magnolia Springs, Mayflower, Mt.
Union, Spurger, Jamestown, Roganville, Stringtown, Ivanhoe,
Bleakwood, Wiergate, and Hillister.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3087 9413 3102 9387 3117 9376 3118 9360
      3117 9358 3118 9355 3123 9354 3124 9356
      3124 9354 3127 9353 3092 9351 3075 9371
      3055 9409 3057 9456 3059 9456
TIME...MOT...LOC 0011Z 276DEG 16KT 3117 9367 3102 9379 3087 9405 3061
9445

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Rua
Special weather statement, May 20, 7:38 PM CDT, 2 hours 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
738 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

LAZ027-028-210130-
Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
738 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN RAPIDES AND NORTHERN
VERNON PARISHES THROUGH 830 PM CDT...

At 737 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Lee Bayou to near Colfax to near Anacoco.
Movement was southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, Leesville, Boyce, Anacoco, Alexandria
International Airport, Slagle, Lena, Ball, New Llano, Colfax,
Hornbeck, Tioga, Timber Trails, Hutton, Esler Regional Airport,
Flatwoods, Kingsville, Kurthwood, and Holloway.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3150 9268 3145 9271 3145 9268 3140 9269
      3139 9266 3148 9221 3147 9216 3140 9215
      3104 9352 3126 9354 3128 9344 3132 9342
      3137 9332 3137 9303 3135 9295 3137 9295
      3137 9292 3139 9291 3152 9272
TIME...MOT...LOC 0037Z 301DEG 20KT 3175 9162 3155 9278 3126 9340

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rua
Special weather statement, May 20, 8:32 PM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
832 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

LAZ028-029-210230-
Avoyelles LA-Rapides LA-
832 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN RAPIDES AND
NORTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH 930 PM CDT...

At 832 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Timber Trails, or near Pineville, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, Marksville, Boyce, Alexandria International
Airport, Effie, Ball, Deville, Libuse, Tioga, Timber Trails, Esler
Regional Airport, Brouillette, Kingsville, Poland, Kolin, Gardner,
Centerpoint, Ruby, and Holloway.

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.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3144 9216 3136 9208 3133 9208 3134 9203
      3132 9200 3128 9202 3127 9199 3122 9199
      3125 9194 3130 9193 3129 9190 3124 9192
      3124 9194 3123 9193 3109 9200 3130 9283
      3145 9270 3140 9269 3139 9265 3147 9225
TIME...MOT...LOC 0132Z 289DEG 28KT 3137 9248

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rua

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 7:38 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHRapides52 min
May 20, 8:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHRapides58 min
May 20, 9:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAvoyelles, Rapides44 min
May 20, 10:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHRapides43 min
May 21, 12:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHSaint Landry30 min
May 21, 6:15 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH30 min
May 21, 6:29 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH49 min
May 21, 6:56 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH64 min
May 21, 7:12 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH63 min
May 21, 7:48 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHCameron27 min
May 21, 7:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHCameron53 min
May 21, 7:58 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH62 min
May 21, 8:40 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHJefferson Davis35 min
May 21, 8:51 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAcadia24 min
May 21, 9:08 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH22 min
May 21, 9:29 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH61 min
May 21, 9:34 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHSaint Landry11 min
May 21, 9:53 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHLafayette, Saint Martin3 hr
May 21, 10:23 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH37 min
May 21, 10:46 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH14 min
May 21, 11:04 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH41 min
May 20, 7:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHJasper, Newton48 min
May 21, 9:22 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHJefferson38 min
May 21, 10:05 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHJefferson25 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Louisiana, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025

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.