An upper level disturbance and cold front moved across the region which resulted in an QLCS with embedded severe storms.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.
An upper level disturbance and cold front moved across the region which resulted in an QLCS with embedded severe storms.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jan 11, 3:58 AM CST, 32 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
358 AM CST Sat Jan 11 2020
.SHORT TERM DISCUSSION...
Regional radar shows a line of thunderstorms extending from
central Louisiana into the Gulf of Mexico moving eastward at
around 30 mph. Ahead of this line, the atmosphere remains
supportive of organized convection with MLCAPE in excess of 1500
J/kg and effective wind shear in excess of 50 knots. While a few
storms have developed ahead of the line, mean cloud layer wind and
bulk shear vectors aligned roughly parallel to the orientation of
the line of convection will support the upscale growth of cold
pools and a continued predominate linear storm mode. A strong low
level jet continue to contribute to strong effective helicity with
SPC mesoanalysis, KLCH and KPOE VWPs all indicating SRH in excess
of 250 m2/s2. This effective helicity will continue to support a
tornado threat, particularly within surges along the line. These
surges will also have the potential to transport stronger winds
aloft to the surface and result in damage. Therefore, the Torando
Watch continues for all of our Louisiana Parishes until 8 AM.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX 64 33 61 42 / 60 0 0 30
LCH 65 40 62 50 / 30 0 10 40
LFT 67 41 64 52 / 100 0 10 50
BPT 63 40 61 50 / 10 0 0 40
&&
.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Wind Advisory until 8 AM CST this morning for LAZ027>033-041>045-
052>055-073-074.
TX...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for GMZ470-472-
475.
Small Craft Advisory until noon CST today for GMZ450-452-455.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM CST this morning for GMZ432-435.
&&
PUBLIC...26Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 408 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020 TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262-112215- Tyler-Hardin-Jefferson-Orange-Northern Jasper-Northern Newton- Southern Jasper-Southern Newton- 408 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM CST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A vigorous storm system approaching from the west will bring widespread shower and thunderstorm activity to the region today into Saturday morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop during this time-frame. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms for the entire area today into Saturday morning. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will be possible today into the overnight hours with any discrete cells that develop ahead of the front. A line of strong to severe storms are also expected to accompany the front as it moves through the area overnight into early Saturday, with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes possible. Additionally, torrential rains will be possible along with frequent and deadly cloud to ground lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-112215- Vernon-Rapides-Avoyelles-Beauregard-Allen-Evangeline-St. Landry- Calcasieu-Jefferson Davis-Acadia-Lafayette-Upper St. Martin- Vermilion-Iberia-St. Mary-Lower St. Martin-West Cameron-East Cameron- 408 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Louisiana, south central Louisiana, southwest Louisiana and west central Louisiana. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Wind Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A vigorous storm system approaching from the west will bring widespread shower and thunderstorm activity to the region today into Saturday morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop during this time-frame. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms for the entire area today into Saturday morning. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will be possible today into the overnight hours with any discrete cells that develop ahead of the front. A line of strong to severe storms are also expected to accompany the front as it moves through the area overnight into early Saturday, with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes possible. Additionally, torrential rains will be possible along with frequent and deadly cloud to ground lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. GMZ470-472-475-112215- Waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA from 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA from 20 to 60 NM- 408 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Gulf of Mexico. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. A moderate to strong onshore flow will continue today ahead of an approaching cold front expected to move across the northwest Gulf early Saturday. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will begin today and continue until the frontal passage. Stronger thunderstorms will have the potential to reach severe criteria with dangerous straight-line winds and gusts. Additionally torrential rainfall be possible as well as frequent cloud to water lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. GMZ430-432-435-112215- Sabine Lake-Calcasieu Lake-Vermilion Bay- 408 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the coastal lakes and bays of the Gulf of Mexico. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A moderate to strong onshore flow will continue today ahead of an approaching cold front expected to move across the northwest Gulf early Saturday. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will begin today and continue until the frontal passage. Stronger thunderstorms will have the potential to reach severe criteria with dangerous straight-line winds and gusts. Additionally torrential rainfall be possible as well as frequent cloud to water lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures. GMZ450-452-455-112215- Coastal waters from Cameron LA to High Island TX out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Intracoastal City to Cameron LA out 20 NM- Coastal waters from Lower Atchafalaya River to Intracoastal City LA out 20 NM- 408 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Gulf of Mexico. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Small Craft Advisory. A moderate to strong onshore flow will continue today ahead of an approaching cold front expected to move across the northwest Gulf early Saturday. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will begin today and continue until the frontal passage. Stronger thunderstorms will have the potential to reach severe criteria with dangerous straight-line winds and gusts. Additionally torrential rainfall be possible as well as frequent cloud to water lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
132 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0130 AM NON-TSTM WND DMG 1 W VIDOR 30.13N 94.02W
01/11/2020 ORANGE TX TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER REPORTING POWER LINES DOWN IN FRONT OF THE
WHATABURGER ON FM 105 IN VIDOR.
&&
SWARTHENPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
143 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0135 AM NON-TSTM WND DMG 1 WNW BUNA 30.45N 93.98W
01/11/2020 JASPER TX 911 CALL CENTER
POWER LINES REPORTED DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 715 IN BUNA.
&&
SWARTHENPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
150 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0141 AM TSTM WND GST 5 ENE SOUR LAKE 30.15N 94.32W
01/11/2020 M59 MPH HARDIN TX BROADCAST MEDIA
BROADCAST MEDIA REPORTING WEATHERNET STATION RECORDED
WIND GUST OF 59 MPH.
&&
SWARTHENPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
235 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0222 AM TSTM WND GST 3 S CENTRAL GARDENS 29.95N 94.02W
01/11/2020 M69 MPH JEFFERSON TX ASOS
THE ASOS AT JACK BROOKS AIRPORT, KBPT, RECORDED A WIND
GUST TO 60 KNOTS OR 69 MPH.
&&
JRUAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
240 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0228 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 W BURKEVILLE 30.99N 93.70W
01/11/2020 NEWTON TX 911 CALL CENTER
TREES REPORTED DOWN ACROSS HWY 63 JUST WEST OF
BURKEVILLE.
&&
SWARTHENPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
244 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0225 AM TSTM WND DMG 2 NNW BON WEIR 30.77N 93.68W
01/11/2020 NEWTON TX 911 CALL CENTER
TREES REPORTED DOWN ON US-190 SOUTH OF FM-2626.
&&
SWARTHENThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A 66 mph wind gust was recorded at a home station.
Scattered trees and power lines were blown down across the city of Lafayette. Several homes had trees land on them. One business lost its roof. At least 15 homes had roof damage. Winds were estimated at 75 to 100 mph. The path of the wind damage was 5 miles long and 2400 yards wide.
An EF-2 tornado touched down north of Krotz Springs where it flipped and and destroyed a mobile home. The tornado continued along its path tipping another mobile home on its roof and destroying 2 others by flying debris and knocking them off their blocks. The tornado continued on producing minor roof damage to 6 other homes and damaging farm equipment. Four people received minor injuries in a mobile home. The max estimated wind speed was 115 mph.
A passing line of storms produced roof damage to multiple homes.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Louisiana, 2020Warnings in Louisiana, January 2020
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 872334, 872332, 872331, 872333.