Alert archive / Louisiana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 39, NWS Lake Charles, LA
NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 8, 2026, 8:26 AM CDT for Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 19 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 8, 2026, 8:26 AM CDT (13:26 UTC)
- Expired
- May 8, 2026, 8:45 AM CDT
- In force
- 19 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lake Charles, LA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Hail
- 1.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Avoyelles Parish, LA
The radar
The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:29 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 8:26 AM CDT | HAIL 2 | Dupont, LA | Delayed report. |
| May 8, 8:30 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Dupont, LA | Repots of downed trees at the intersection of HWY 1179 and LA 107. |
| May 8, 8:30 AM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | Dupont, LA | Reports of 1.5 inch hail in Dupont. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 0 minutes after it went out.
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 nearest sounding before it
Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 219 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -432 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 562 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 53 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 162 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 171 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 5.8
The text
As transmitted.
705
WUUS54 KLCH 081326
SVRLCH
LAC009-081345-
/O.NEW.KLCH.SV.W.0039.260508T1326Z-260508T1345Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
826 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Avoyelles Parish in central Louisiana...
* Until 845 AM CDT.
* At 826 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Dupont, or 7
miles southeast of Moreauville, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect
wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Simmesport, Moreauville, Plaucheville, and Dupont.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3102 9175 3099 9178 3098 9180 3087 9180
3086 9182 3085 9182 3088 9202 3103 9202
TIME...MOT...LOC 1326Z 274DEG 37KT 3094 9193
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Jones1 follow-up statement
875
WWUS54 KLCH 081335
SVSLCH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
835 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAC009-081345-
/O.CON.KLCH.SV.W.0039.000000T0000Z-260508T1345Z/
Avoyelles LA-
835 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 AM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN AVOYELLES PARISH...
At 835 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Dupont, or near
Simmesport, moving east at 45 mph.
THIS IS A DESTRUCTIVE STORM FOR Dupont.
HAZARD...Baseball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be severely injured.
Expect shattered windows, extensive damage to roofs,
siding, and vehicles.
Locations impacted include...
Simmesport, Moreauville, Plaucheville, and Dupont.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Prepare immediately for large hail and deadly cloud to ground
lightning. Seek shelter inside a well-built structure. Stay away from
windows.
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.
&&
LAT...LON 3102 9175 3099 9178 3098 9180 3087 9180
3086 9182 3085 9182 3088 9202 3103 9202
TIME...MOT...LOC 1335Z 274DEG 37KT 3094 9188
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...DESTRUCTIVE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
JonesWhat 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 8, 6:17 AM CDT, 2 hours 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Rain chances remain in place during the weekend with upper disturbances traversing the region.
- Heavy rain and flash flooding will again be possible Friday and Saturday.
- There is a low end risk for severe weather possible Friday and Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, May 8, 6:17 AM CDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 617 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... - Rain chances remain in place during the weekend with upper disturbances traversing the region. - Heavy rain and flash flooding will again be possible Friday and Saturday. - There is a low end risk for severe weather possible Friday and Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... (Today through Thursday) Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 As of 1200 AM CDT, conditions are mostly quiet with exception to widely isolated showers streaming across parts of CWA. Both temps and dewpoints are in the 60s, with high RH values and light to calm winds under broken to overcast skies. Areas of fog again will not be out of the realm if possibility, however dense fog is not expected. The cold front that moved through the CWA the other day is sitting over the Gulf waters, however it will slowly begin retrograding northward into our area today. Along with this, an upper cutoff low continues to progress eastward across northern MX and into SW TX. PWATs are already plenty high as is with the swimming pool of moisture straddling the entire Gulf Coast; the incoming system will tap into this, leading to a wet Mothers Day weekend. The good news is that overall rainfall totals have come down, and we are now only in a Marginal Risk (lvl 1/4) for excessive rainfall both today and tomorrow. However SPC has introduced a Marginal Risk (lvl 1/5) for severe weather on both days. Saturday into Sunday, the upper low will weaken and be absorbed into the broader flow along with the front washing out. Nevertheless, isolated to scattered showers will linger into Sunday before everything is pushed out by another cold front. A surface high pressure will move in Monday, with the conditions it will bring being short lived as the high moves off to the east of us on Tuesday into Wednesday, with southerly flow returning from then and into the rest of next week. For the front half of the forecast period, temperatures will be kept in check by overcast skies and rain, along with the front. They will be generally within 3 to 8 degrees from climatological averages for this time of month. A warming trend will kick off in the latter half of the forecast period as an upper ridge builds in out of the west and southerly flow prevails. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 615 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 Thunderstorms are developing across the area this morning and are anticipated to remain in the forecast through the day. IFR to MVFR conditions will remain through much of the period. NE winds will veer SE during the day. && .MARINE... Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 A cold front is currently located in the north Gulf. This front will stall and slowly retrograde north over the weekend. Conditions will be overcast with periods of heavy rain along with isolated thunderstorms. Winds will be from the north through Monday after a front and will become southerly again Tuesday into Wednesday. No hazards are expected for mariners at this time. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1201 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 Widespread wetting rain has helped drought conditions across the region. Fire weather will not be a concern for the weekend and through next week. && .LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. TX...None. GM...None. && PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...87 AVIATION...05
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 8, 6:07 AM CDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 607 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 LAZ027-030-TXZ260-081130- Beauregard LA-Vernon LA-Northern Newton TX- 607 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN BEAUREGARD AND SOUTHWESTERN VERNON PARISHES THROUGH 630 AM CDT... At 606 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Merryville, moving northeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... De Ridder, Rosepine, Merryville, Junction, and Tulla. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 3064 9337 3079 9365 3105 9335 3081 9304 TIME...MOT...LOC 1106Z 230DEG 17KT 3075 9353 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH Tingler
Special weather statement, May 8, 6:53 AM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
653 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ027-028-030>032-TXZ259-260-081230-
Evangeline LA-Allen LA-Beauregard LA-Vernon LA-Rapides LA-
Northern Newton TX-Northern Jasper TX-
653 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT RAPIDES...NORTHERN EVANGELINE...
NORTHERN BEAUREGARD...VERNON AND NORTHEASTERN ALLEN PARISHES...
NORTHERN NEWTON AND EAST CENTRAL JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 730 AM
CDT...
At 653 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Jamestown to near Elmer. Movement was east
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, De Ridder, Oakdale, Jasper, Leesville, Newton,
Rosepine, Glenmora, Merryville, Cheneyville, Elizabeth, Turkey Creek,
Fort Polk, Alexandria International Airport, Sugartown, Hineston,
Pitkin, Burkeville, and New Llano.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 55 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3096 9224 3097 9228 3094 9228 3089 9224
3084 9224 3075 9393 3092 9398 3142 9226
TIME...MOT...LOC 1153Z 261DEG 19KT 3088 9389 3106 9272
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TinglerSpecial weather statement, May 8, 7:37 AM CDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
737 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ028-029-032-081300-
Avoyelles LA-Evangeline LA-Rapides LA-
737 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL RAPIDES...NORTH CENTRAL
EVANGELINE AND NORTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH 800 AM CDT...
At 736 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Alexandria International Airport to near
Alexandria to near Cheneyville to near Turkey Creek. Movement was
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Pineville, Marksville, Glenmora, Cheneyville, Alexandria
International Airport, Effie, Ball, Lecompte, Hessmer, Tioga, Timber
Trails, Esler Regional Airport, Kingsville, Poland, Kolin, Ruby,
Holloway, Deville, and Libuse.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 54 and 93.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3137 9209 3135 9207 3134 9209 3133 9208
3133 9206 3116 9199 3093 9229 3087 9249
3097 9261 3116 9264 3126 9271 3143 9247
3144 9239
TIME...MOT...LOC 1236Z 246DEG 21KT 3125 9258 3122 9244 3104 9235 3091
9251
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TinglerSpecial weather statement, May 8, 7:38 AM CDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
738 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
TXZ180-081315-
Tyler TX-
738 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN TYLER COUNTY
THROUGH 815 AM CDT...
At 738 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Chester, 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...
Woodville, Colmesneil, and Chester.
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 3106 9456 3104 9450 3105 9449 3103 9448
3104 9445 3103 9444 3100 9445 3101 9444
3102 9442 3103 9441 3072 9432 3074 9460
3099 9466 3101 9465
TIME...MOT...LOC 1238Z 262DEG 26KT 3088 9472
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
TinglerSpecial weather statement, May 8, 7:56 AM CDT, 30 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
756 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ028-029-032-081330-
Avoyelles LA-Evangeline LA-Rapides LA-
756 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN RAPIDES...
NORTHEASTERN EVANGELINE AND SOUTHWESTERN AVOYELLES PARISHES THROUGH
830 AM CDT...
At 756 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cheneyville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
Bunkie, Moreauville, Cheneyville, Bordelonville, Cottonport, Mansura,
Hessmer, Evergreen, Plaucheville, Goudeau, Dupont, and Hamburg.
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 47 and 59.
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 3087 9234 3103 9235 3112 9189 3085 9186
TIME...MOT...LOC 1256Z 263DEG 30KT 3095 9227
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TinglerLocal storm report, May 8, 8:26 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
826 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0820 AM Hail Plaucheville 30.97N 91.98W
05/08/2026 M1.00 Inch Avoyelles LA Broadcast Media
Media reports of quarter size hail in
Plaucheville.
&&
NRSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 6:07 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Beauregard | 23 min |
| May 8, 6:53 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Rapides, Vernon | 37 min |
| May 8, 7:37 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Rapides | 23 min |
| May 8, 7:56 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Avoyelles | 34 min |
| May 8, 8:04 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LCH | Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides | 26 min |
| May 8, 8:38 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | LCH | Rapides | 7 days |
| May 8, 8:56 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LCH | Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides, Vernon | 3 hr |
| May 8, 12:01 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LCH | Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Saint Landry | 3 hr |
| May 8, 12:37 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | LCH | Lafayette | 38 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Louisiana, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.