Alert archive / Louisiana / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 30, NWS Lake Charles, LA

June 18, 2026Saint Martin Parish, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this tornado warning at Jun 18, 2026, 2:17 AM CDT for Saint Martin Parish, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 15 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
Jun 18, 2026, 2:17 AM CDT (07:17 UTC)
Expired
Jun 18, 2026, 2:32 AM CDT
In force
15 min
Issued by
NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Saint Martin Parish, LA, St. Mary Parish, LA

The radar

The Hammond radar (KHDC), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:22 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 tornado 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 17, 10:23 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC10 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 00:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 155 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2026-06-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1945 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2026-06-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 82 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1945 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
854 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
11 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
89 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

282 
WFUS54 KLCH 180717
TORLCH
LAC099-101-180745-
/O.NEW.KLCH.TO.W.0030.260618T0717Z-260618T0745Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
217 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern St. Mary Parish in south central Louisiana...
  Southeastern St. Martin Parish in south central Louisiana...

* Until 245 AM CDT.

* At 217 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Patterson Memorial Airport, or near Patterson,
  moving northeast at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, Bayou Vista, and Patterson 
  Memorial Airport around 220 AM CDT.
  Stephensville around 230 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Centerville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 2955 9137 2968 9151 2996 9125 2993 9123
      2992 9123 2990 9121 2986 9120 2985 9118
      2983 9113 2981 9110 2980 9109 2977 9110
      2975 9109
TIME...MOT...LOC 0717Z 225DEG 27KT 2968 9137 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Brazzell
3 follow-up statements
154 
WWUS54 KLCH 180721
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
221 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

LAC099-101-180745-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260618T0745Z/
St. Mary LA-St. Martin LA-
221 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 AM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ST. MARY AND SOUTHEASTERN ST. MARTIN PARISHES...

At 220 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Patterson Memorial Airport, or over Patterson,
moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, Bayou Vista, and Patterson 
  Memorial Airport around 225 AM CDT.
  Stephensville around 230 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 2963 9134 2969 9144 2992 9123 2990 9121
      2986 9120 2985 9118 2983 9113 2981 9110
      2980 9109 2977 9110 2975 9109
TIME...MOT...LOC 0720Z 224DEG 26KT 2969 9136 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Brazzell
592 
WWUS54 KLCH 180729
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
229 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

LAC099-101-180745-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260618T0745Z/
St. Mary LA-St. Martin LA-
229 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 245 AM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ST. MARY AND SOUTHEASTERN ST. MARTIN PARISHES...

At 229 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Patterson Memorial Airport, or near Patterson,
moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Berwick and Stephensville around 235 AM CDT.
  Belle River and Pierre Part around 240 AM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 2969 9131 2971 9139 2992 9123 2990 9121
      2986 9120 2985 9118 2983 9113 2981 9110
      2980 9109 2977 9110
TIME...MOT...LOC 0729Z 224DEG 26KT 2974 9131 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Brazzell
140 
WWUS54 KLCH 180732
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
232 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

LAC099-101-180742-
/O.CAN.KLCH.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-260618T0745Z/
St. Mary LA-St. Martin LA-
232 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL ST. MARY AND SOUTHEASTERN ST.
MARTIN PARISHES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However gusty winds and
heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 AM CDT for south central
Louisiana.

&&

LAT...LON 2969 9131 2971 9139 2992 9123 2990 9121
      2986 9120 2985 9118 2983 9113 2981 9110
      2980 9109 2977 9110
TIME...MOT...LOC 0727Z 225DEG 27KT 2976 9129 

$$

Brazzell

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Jun 18, 12:09 AM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Tropical Storm Warnings have been cancelled as Tropical Storm Arthur has dissipated.
  • A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Southwest Louisiana through Thursday evening.
  • A Coastal Flood advisory is in effect until Thursday afternoon. Surges of up to 2 feet are expected.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 12:09 AM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1209 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Tropical Storm Warnings have been cancelled as Tropical Storm
  Arthur has dissipated.

- A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Southwest Louisiana
  through Thursday evening.

- A Coastal Flood advisory is in effect until Thursday afternoon.
  Surges of up to 2 feet are expected.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Today through Wednesday)
Issued at 1206 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

The remnants of post-Tropical Storm Arthur are now onshore near
Galveston and are not expected to re-enter the Gulf. While further
strengthening is not a concern, we are looking at another round
of heavy rain and gusty winds overnight and into Thursday morning.
Flash flooding remains a major concern, with an additional 2 to 6
inches of rain possible across Acadiana and southwest Louisiana
tonight. Along with the heavy rain, there is also an isolated
tornado threat as backing low-level flow will enhance 0-1 km
shear, with models showing elongated low-level hodographs.

Local impacts will start to diminish on Thursday morning, with the
coastal flood advisory being downgraded as surge levels reach
roughly one to two feet above MHHW. In addition, we will be paring
back the flood watch a little early, at least for parts of
southeast Texas and central Louisiana. As Arthur continues to move
further inland, subsidence will increase, leading to less cloud
cover and an increase in temperatures, with highs in the 90s. With
the remnants of Arthur still in east Texas, tropical moisture will
cause dew points to be near 80. This combination will spike the
apparent temperature well into the triple digits, and a heat
advisory will be in effect for southeast Texas. For the rest of
the week and heading into the weekend, we are looking at a more
typical summertime pattern with temperatures in the mid-90s and
high dew points. More heat advisories may be needed through the
weekend. Over the weekend, ridging will start to build over the
region, keeping rain chances below 20% for most of the area. The
break from the rain will be much appreciated, as QPF amounts from
Friday to next Wednesday are around 0.10 inches.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1206 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are impacting LFT and ARA. Near
convection conditions will be IFR/LIFR with heavy rain and low
ceilings. Elsewhere conditions will be MVFR with low clouds. Winds
will be from the south-southeast around 10 to 15 knots.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1206 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

The remnants of post-Tropical Storm Arthur are now located inland
over Texas, and all Tropical Storm warnings have been cancelled.
Strong squalls will continue. Conditions offshore remain
dangerous, as sustained winds are between 15 and 25 knots with
wave heights up to 10 feet. Conditions will start to improve on
Thursday, with winds dropping below 20 knots Thursday night. Wave
heights will take a bit longer to subside, staying above 6 feet
well into Friday. Over the weekend and into the start of next
week, conditions will be calmer, with prevailing winds around 10
to 15 knots from the south and waves below 5 feet.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1206 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026

Multiple rounds of heavy rain will limit any fire weather concerns
for the next several days. MinRH values will remain above 50% for
the rest of the forecast period.

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Flood Watch through this evening for LAZ027>033-044-045-055-073-
     074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254.

     Wind Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for LAZ027>033-044-045-
     055-073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until noon CDT today for LAZ073-074-241-
     252>254.

TX...Wind Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for TXZ180-201-259>262-
     515-516-615-616.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until noon CDT today for TXZ615-616.

     Heat Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 9 PM CDT this evening
     for TXZ180-201-259>262-515-516-615-616.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM CDT Friday for GMZ430-432-435-
     436-450-452-455-470-472-475.

&&

PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...14
AVIATION...14

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 17, 9:29 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH61 min
Jun 17, 10:04 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH56 min
Jun 17, 10:05 PM CDTSmall Craft AdvisoryLCH33 hr
Jun 17, 10:06 PM CDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryLCHCalcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, St. Mary, Vermilion14 hr
Jun 17, 11:01 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH59 min
Jun 17, 11:03 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH57 min
Jun 18, 12:01 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH59 min
Jun 18, 12:03 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH57 min
Jun 18, 12:05 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH55 min
Jun 18, 12:53 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH52 min
Jun 18, 12:55 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH65 min
Jun 18, 1:37 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningLCHEvangeline, Saint Landry24 hr
Jun 18, 5:30 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAvoyelles, Evangeline, Saint Landry5 hr
Jun 18, 6:36 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAvoyelles3 hr
Jun 18, 7:30 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAvoyelles3 hr
Jun 18, 7:57 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAvoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides2 hr
Jun 18, 8:59 AM CDTFlash Flood Warning EmergencyCatastrophic damage threatLCHAvoyelles4 hr
Jun 18, 9:44 AM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatLCHAvoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides, Saint Landry3 hr
Jun 18, 9:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAvoyelles67 min
Jun 18, 9:57 AM CDTTornado WarningLCHAvoyelles18 min
Jun 18, 10:51 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningLCHSaint Landry6 hr
Jun 18, 10:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAvoyelles66 min
Jun 18, 11:29 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryLCHAcadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and 10 more32 hr
Jun 18, 11:31 AM CDTTornado WarningLCHAvoyelles29 min
Jun 18, 11:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAvoyelles66 min
Jun 18, 12:44 PM CDTFlash Flood Warning EmergencyCatastrophic damage threatLCHAvoyelles4 hr
Jun 18, 12:47 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAvoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides, Saint Landry4 hr
Jun 18, 4:57 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningLCHAvoyelles47 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Louisiana, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.