Alert archive / Louisiana / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 33, NWS Lake Charles, LA

September 1, 2026Rapides Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this tornado warning at Sep 1, 2026, 12:16 PM CDT for Rapides Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 14 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
Sep 1, 2026, 12:16 PM CDT (17:16 UTC)
Expired
Sep 1, 2026, 12:30 PM CDT
In force
14 min
Issued by
NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

County Rapides Parish, LA

The radar

The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 43 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:15 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 nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 12:00Z, 5.3 hours before the alert went out and 116 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 12:00Z on 2026-09-01Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 377 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 12:00Z on 2026-09-01The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 144 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
377 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-46 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
659 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
144 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
157 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
3.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

574 
WFUS54 KLCH 011716
TORLCH
LAC079-011730-
/O.NEW.KLCH.TO.W.0033.260901T1716Z-260901T1730Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1216 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  South central Rapides Parish in central Louisiana...

* Until 1230 PM CDT.

* At 1215 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
  tornado was located over Glenmora, moving northwest 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.

* Locations impacted include...
  Glenmora, Calcasieu, Forest Hill, and Mcnary.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

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

&&

LAT...LON 3116 9256 3095 9247 3095 9248 3094 9248
      3090 9257 3090 9260 3108 9277
TIME...MOT...LOC 1715Z 152DEG 26KT 3097 9257 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Silas
1 follow-up statement
009 
WWUS54 KLCH 011728
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1228 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

LAC079-011736-
/O.EXP.KLCH.TO.W.0033.000000T0000Z-260901T1730Z/
Rapides LA-
1228 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RAPIDES PARISH WILL EXPIRE
AT 1230 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However heavy rain
is still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3116 9256 3095 9247 3095 9248 3094 9248
      3090 9257 3090 9260 3108 9277
TIME...MOT...LOC 1726Z 152DEG 16KT 3097 9257 

$$

Silas

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 Sep 1, 6:35 AM CDT, 5 hours 41 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Tropical Storm Edouard is moving across the northwest Gulf and toward the southwest Louisiana/southeast Texas coast through the remaining overnight hours and with a landfall expected later this afternoon.
  • Heavy rainfall with the potential for flash flooding of urban areas will be possible around where the center of the low moves.
  • Surge impacts from TS Edouard are expected range 3 - 5 feet from High Island Tx to Vermilion / Cameron Parish line. Only minor surge impacts outside of storm surge warning. Primary wind threat is currently localized to Jefferson county and Cameron Parish.
  • A broad weakness in the mid levels will remain over the area through the week into next weekend with a series of inverted troughs and high moisture keeping a decent chance for daily scattered showers and thunderstorms with normal summertime heat.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 6:35 AM CDT, 5 hours 41 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
635 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Tropical Storm Edouard is moving across the northwest Gulf and
  toward the southwest Louisiana/southeast Texas coast through the
  remaining overnight hours and with a landfall expected later
  this afternoon.

- Heavy rainfall with the potential for flash flooding of urban
  areas will be possible around where the center of the low moves.

- Surge impacts from TS Edouard are expected range 3 - 5 feet
  from High Island Tx to Vermilion / Cameron Parish line. Only
  minor surge impacts outside of storm surge warning. Primary wind
  threat is currently localized to Jefferson county and Cameron
  Parish.

- A broad weakness in the mid levels will remain over the area
  through the week into next weekend with a series of inverted
  troughs and high moisture keeping a decent chance for daily
  scattered showers and thunderstorms with normal summertime heat.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Today through Monday)
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

Tropical Storm Edouard is currently about 160NM Southeast of Lake
Charles tracking WNW at 6 MPH. This system will continue to
maintain Tropical Storm strength while tracking toward Southeast
Texas for a landfall near Sabine, TX by this afternoon. That
amount of time along with some dry air being entrained into the
center of circulation will limit chances for rapid
intensification. That being said, portions of the circulation
center could briefly intensify winds/gusts as it nears landfall.
Therefore a hurricane watch has been added to Jefferson county and
western Cameron Parish where the greatest wind threat will be. A
storm surge warning in now in effect from High Island to Cameron /
Vermilion Parish line. Peak surge appears to be confined between
High Island, TX and Cameron, LA. Similarly, the highest flooding
rainfall threat extends from the immediate coast along South
Central LA into interior Southeast TX. Edouard has maintained
convection over the northern semi-circle suggesting that periods
of moderate to heavy rainfall will occur through the remaining
overnight hours while increasing latitude north through this
afternoon or early evening. After landfall this afternoon,
Edouard will quickly weaken but likely expand rainfall impacts.
Lingering tropical moisture will then facilitate more showers and
thunderstorms into Wednesday. Tropical threats aside, much needed
rainfall will help stall the worsening drought across south
central Louisiana and interior Southeast TX while high
temperatures remain in the 80s to low 90s.

By Thursday an upper level trough deepens over the Western Gulf
leading to continued scattered showers and thunderstorms and lower
90s toward the coast. Meanwhile, central and northern portions of
Louisiana will recover temperatures into upper 90s. This upper level
trough will hang in the western Gulf through Monday and will lend
scattered moderate daily chances for rainfall across much of the
forecast area.

 Kowalski / 30

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 633 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

Rain and storms from Edouard will cause lower vis and ceilings
today. Conditions will gradually improve through the late
afternoon into tonight. Winds will be gusty at times, especially
at LCH and BPT.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

Increasing SHRA expected across LFT, ARA, LCH, and BPT through the
remaining overnight hours into the daylight hours. Tropical Storm
Edouard will track toward Sabine, TX and make landfall during the
mid afternoon hours. BPT under a Storm Warning may see periodic
tropical storm force winds / gusts by mid morning through late
afternoon. Apart from enhanced veering east and southeast gusts,
scattered TS remains possible across all terminals through Tues
evening.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

Tropical Storm Edouard is moving WNW across the northwest Gulf at 7
MPH per this forecast update roughly 155 NM south-southeast of Lake
Charles. Increasing chances for widespread showers with gusty winds
through this afternoon as the system makes landfall near Sabine, Tx.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for all of the Gulf Marine
Zones as well as Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes. Southeast winds 20 to
35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt near the center and seas 4 to 8 ft. A
storm surge warning is in effect between High Island, Tx and the
Vermilion / Cameron Parish line. Please see advisory details for
exact surge values.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

Impacts during the forecast period will depend on the strength and
track of Tropical Storm Edouard. Best moisture will be noted near
the center of this system with minimum relative humidity values
ranging from 50 percent over central Louisiana to between 60 and 70
percent along coastal Louisiana and southeast Texas. These areas
will also see a probability of more significant rainfall. Breezy
conditions will are expected through this afternoon for coastal
southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Tropical Storm Warning for LAZ073-074-141-241-252.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Wednesday for LAZ030.

     Hurricane Watch for LAZ073.

     Storm Surge Warning for LAZ073-074.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 PM CDT Wednesday for LAZ252.

TX...Tropical Storm Warning for TXZ201-261-262-515-516-615-616.

     Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Wednesday for TXZ180-259-260.

     Hurricane Watch for TXZ615.

     Storm Surge Warning for TXZ615.

     Flood Watch through Wednesday morning for TXZ180-201-261-262-515-
     516-615-616.

GM...Tropical Storm Warning for GMZ430-432-450-452-455-470-472-475.

&&

PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...30
AVIATION...05

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 10:53 AM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1053 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

1036 AM     Tropical Cyclone 3 SW Cameron            29.77N 93.34W
09/01/2026                   GMZ432             LA   Buoy

            Tide station CAPL1 Calcasieu Pass, LA gusted
            to 42 MPH.

1031 AM     Tropical Cyclone 1 SSE Cameron           29.78N 93.29W
09/01/2026                   Cameron            LA   Mesonet

            Mesonet station XCAM Cameron gusted to 41
            MPH.

&&
Local storm report, Sep 1, 11:42 AM CDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1142 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

1106 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SW Cameron            29.77N 93.34W
09/01/2026  M52 MPH          GMZ432             LA   Buoy

            Buoy station CAPL1 Calcasieu Pass, LA.

&&
Local storm report, Sep 1, 11:43 AM CDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1143 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

1124 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SE Sabine Pass        29.68N 93.84W
09/01/2026  M44 MPH          GMZ450             TX   Buoy

            Buoy station TXPT2 Texas Point, TX.

&&
Local storm report, Sep 1, 11:47 AM CDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1147 AM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

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

0600 AM     Storm Surge      11 SE Pecan Island      29.55N 92.31W
09/01/2026                   Vermilion          LA   C-Man Station

            Tide station FRWL1 Freshwater Canal Locks,
            LA measured at 2.33 MHHW.

&&
Special weather statement, Sep 1, 12:05 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1205 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

LAZ028-032-011730-
Evangeline LA-Rapides LA-
1205 PM CDT Tue Sep 1 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL RAPIDES AND
NORTHWESTERN EVANGELINE PARISHES THROUGH 1230 PM CDT...

At 1205 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Turkey Creek, moving north at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Alexandria, Glenmora, Turkey Creek, Lecompte, Elmer, Woodworth,
Forest Hill, and Mcnary.

This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 63 and 80.

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 3086 9237 3081 9257 3087 9260 3090 9260
      3090 9261 3119 9275 3126 9244
TIME...MOT...LOC 1705Z 165DEG 28KT 3092 9250

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Silas

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 31, 10:12 PM CDTHurricane WatchLCHCameron16 hr
Aug 31, 10:12 PM CDTStorm Surge WarningLCHCameron16 hr
Sep 1, 3:37 AM CDTWind AdvisoryLCHBeauregard, Calcasieu21 hr
Sep 1, 12:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHRapides25 min
Sep 1, 2:03 PM CDTCoastal Flood WarningLCHCameron8 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.