Showers and thunderstorms draped along a cold front in northern Louisiana began racing southeastward late morning on March 15th. Based on local upper air soundings, these storms were moving into an environment with ample mid and upper level instability.
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 LIX wrote it up.
Showers and thunderstorms draped along a cold front in northern Louisiana began racing southeastward late morning on March 15th. Based on local upper air soundings, these storms were moving into an environment with ample mid and upper level instability. In the lower levels, a region of dry air was noted in the midday sounding. That dry slot enhanced downward winds resulting in several wind damage reports across southeast Louisiana.
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 New Orleans, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 15, 6:47 AM CST, 5 hours 23 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
747 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...New UPDATE...
.UPDATE...
Issued at 745 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
Traffic cameras and surface observations indicate that
visibilities over much of the land based Dense Fog Advisory are
well over one mile, with the exceptions being portions of Harrison
and Hancock Counties. Have cancelled much of the advisory, with
the ZFP and NPW products already issued.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Saturday)
Issued at 348 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
Upper ridging over most of the Gulf of Mexico and the southeast
corner of the country this morning, with an upper low near Yuma,
Arizona. That has southwesterly mid and upper flow across the
western Gulf of Mexico. One shortwave trough was near Memphis this
morning with another from New Mexico into Texas. Northern stream
shortwave energy was along Interstate 80 and near the Canadian
border. At the surface, high pressure extended from Bermuda to the
Florida-Georgia line. A frontal boundary extended from New England
to Arkansas to the Big Bend area of Texas. Locally, onshore flow
has been somewhat stronger and more moist than anticipated 24
hours ago. Southeast winds of 10 to 20 mph has pumped abundant
moisture into the area, and at 3 AM CDT, temperatures across the
area were in the lower and middle 70s for the most part. That's
near or above normal highs for the day. Dew points were in the
lower 70s, about 3-5 degrees higher than anticipated. That
increased the potential for advective fog, and we've seen that
near the coast. Hasn't been quite as widespread as anticipated,
but it is still out there. Radar at 3 AM showed a fairly solid
line of showers and thunderstorms from Middle Tennessee to
southern Arkansas to north Texas, working it's way southeastward.
The northern stream troughing will continue to push the frontal
boundary southward, reaching the northern portions of our area
late this afternoon or early this evening before becoming
stationary. Moisture is already in place, with precipitable water
values around 1.6 inches, although the evening soundings showed a
bit of dry air in the mid levels. Forecast soundings erode much of
that dry air by midday with precipitable water values in the
1.6-1.8 range. Instability is certainly sufficient for strong
thunderstorms, but shear is fairly lacking with the potential
exception of southwest Mississippi. Most of the convection
allowing models have the line of storms reaching the northwest
portion of the area during the late morning hours and continuing
to sink southward. Locally heavy rain can't be ruled out, and if
there's a favored area, it would probably be the northeast quarter
of the area east of Interstate 55 and north of the Interstate
10/12 corridor, where 1-2 inch totals are possible. With the
shortwave energy departing and the loss of surface heating, areal
coverage of precipitation should diminish (if not end) pretty
quickly by early evening.
We'll again be in a favorable scenario for fog overnight tonight
and there will be a mention of fog in the forecast. For this
morning's fog, unlikely to make changes to the advisories with the
forecast issuance as we'll still be several hours away from
sunrise.
Not much change in the upper pattern for Saturday with weak lift
and a front in the area, scattered showers will be possible. Won't
be a total washout, but outdoor activities could certainly see
interruptions. Should note, however, that there are one or two
CAMs that do depict a stronger area of thunderstorms moving along
the boundary late Saturday afternoon, but they are the outliers at
this point.
Temperatures will be well above normal through Saturday south of
the frontal boundary, even without much sun. Considering where
temperatures are at now, much of the area shouldn't have much
difficulty getting close to, if not exceeding 80 today, and close
to 80 tomorrow. Some concern that forecast lows may be too cool
tonight, but that'll depend on convective trends later today.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Saturday night through Thursday)
Issued at 348 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
Sunday looks to be the wettest day of the bunch. The northern
stream troughing will be forcing the frontal boundary southward
and will combine with southern stream shortwave energy to produce
another round of showers and storms, a few potentially strong. The
favored area for this would be near and south of the Interstate 10
corridor, with another potential for widespread 1-2 inch rainfall
totals, and a few spot higher amounts. Precipitation could arrive
near or before sunrise Sunday, with a rainfall threat encompassing
much or all of the daytime hours Sunday.
Precipitation should diminish or end completely late Sunday
afternoon or early Sunday evening as the frontal boundary works
offshore. Cooler and drier air arrives for the beginning of the
workweek with temperatures 5-10 degrees below normal possible for
highs Monday and Tuesday before moderating Wednesday. Overnight
lows will be chilly Tuesday and Wednesday morning. A good portion
of the area will see overnight lows in the mid and upper 30s
Tuesday morning and near 40 Wednesday morning. While freezing
temperatures are not expected, patchy frost will be a possibility
in protected, normally cooler areas Tuesday morning.
The western upper low eventually begins to move eastward at
midweek next week, but disagreement between the global models
whether that would impact the area Thursday, or beyond that point.
For now, will keep with the NBM PoPs for Thursday.
After the frontal passage Sunday, temperatures generally will
remain below normal until perhaps Thursday or Friday of next week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 646 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
Most terminals have had periods of IFR or lower conditions for the
last several hours, but only KGPT has been approaching field
minima for any length of time, as advection type fog has not moved
inland to any significant extent this morning. The majority of
terminals at present are experiencing MVFR conditions.
Convection associated with the frontal boundary to our north has
made it as far south as Interstate 10 as of 11Z, but isn't quite
as widespread as earlier in the night.
Threat for SHRA/TSRA will increase by late morning, but expect
most TSRA to occur in the 17z-21z window. Amendments to refine
timing of TSRA can be anticipated this morning based on radar
trends. Storms will produce occasional IFR visibilities. Won't
rule out wind gusts exceeding what is mentioned in the TEMPO
groups.
At present, it appears most SHRA/TSRA should come to an end by 00z
Saturday as shortwave passes to the east of the area. Low ceilings
and/or visibilities are anticipated for a large portion of the
overnight hours, with IFR or lower conditions anticipated at most
terminals.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 348 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
No changes to this morning's Fog Advisory, with the potential for
another overnight tonight. Thunderstorms will become more of a
concern to mariners later today, and then again on Sunday. While
there may be a few periods where sustained winds get a bit above
15 knots outside of thunderstorms, it doesn't appear there will be
a need for Small Craft Advisories until perhaps later Sunday night
behind the front. Those conditions could continue into early
Tuesday before abating somewhat.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MCB 77 60 75 60 / 90 30 30 60
BTR 82 65 80 65 / 90 30 40 50
ASD 81 64 79 63 / 80 30 30 40
MSY 81 66 78 65 / 80 30 30 40
GPT 77 64 78 62 / 60 30 30 30
PQL 80 63 79 61 / 50 30 20 30
&&
.LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
GM...Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM CDT this morning for GMZ530-532-
534-536-538-550-552-555-557.
MS...Dense Fog Advisory until 10 AM CDT this morning for MSZ083-084-
086-087.
GM...Dense Fog Advisory until 11 AM CDT this morning for GMZ532-534-
536-538-550-552-555-557.
&&
SHORT TERM...RW
LONG TERM....RW
AVIATION...RW
MARINE...RW
UPDATE...RWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1140 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
LAZ058-080-082-084-151730-
Lower Tangipahoa LA-Southern Livingston LA-
Southwestern St. Tammany LA-St. John The Baptist LA-
1140 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ST. JOHN
THE BAPTIST, WEST CENTRAL ST. TAMMANY, SOUTHEASTERN LIVINGSTON AND
SOUTHEASTERN TANGIPAHOA PARISHES THROUGH 1230 PM CDT
...
At 1140 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles east of Whitehall, or 11 miles north of Reserve, moving east at
35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Killian and W Lk Pontchartrain Buoy.
This includes Interstate 55 in Louisiana between mile markers 6 and
23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near marine areas, get out of the water and move indoors or
inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from
the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be
caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
&&
LAT...LON 3047 9022 3036 9017 3036 9019 3035 9022
3018 9039 3013 9059 3030 9066 3048 9025
TIME...MOT...LOC 1640Z 248DEG 30KT 3025 9054
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KLGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1155 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
LAZ083-151730-
Northern Livingston LA-
1155 AM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN
LIVINGSTON PARISH THROUGH 1230 PM CDT
...
At 1154 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Livingston, or 12 miles east of Denham Springs, moving east at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Walker, Livingston, Albany, and Springfield.
This includes Interstate 12 between mile markers 16 and 34.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3049 9057 3047 9055 3044 9055 3041 9082
3046 9087 3055 9087 3065 9064 3065 9057
TIME...MOT...LOC 1654Z 250DEG 27KT 3051 9076
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KLGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1229 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
LAZ034>037-MSZ068-069-151830-
St. Helena LA-East Feliciana LA-Pointe Coupee LA-West Feliciana LA-
Wilkinson MS-Amite MS-
1229 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ST. HELENA,
WEST FELICIANA, POINTE COUPEE AND EAST FELICIANA PARISHES, WILKINSON
AND AMITE COUNTIES THROUGH 130 PM CDT
...
At 1229 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Meadville to near Mansura. Movement was
southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
New Roads, Jackson, St. Francisville, Clinton, Liberty, Centreville,
Woodville, Gloster, Morganza, Wilson, Norwood, Wakefield, Smithdale,
Spillman, Batchelor, Lettsworth, Fort Adams, Dolorosa, Felps, and
Gillsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
If on or near marine areas, get out of the water and move indoors or
inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from
the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close
enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be
caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Louisiana...and southern Mississippi.
&&
LAT...LON 3132 9112 3135 9102 3135 9055 3100 9055
3100 9057 3095 9057 3058 9175 3071 9173
3086 9182 3097 9181 3104 9172 3104 9165
3097 9166 3104 9156 3114 9163 3124 9156
3122 9151 3124 9148 3131 9147 3137 9123
TIME...MOT...LOC 1729Z 308DEG 35KT 3147 9092 3108 9200
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KLGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1234 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
MSZ070-071-151815-
Pike MS-Walthall MS-
1234 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF WALTHALL AND EASTERN
PIKE COUNTIES THROUGH 115 PM CDT
...
At 1234 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Magnolia, or 7 miles southeast of Mccomb, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Magnolia, Tylertown, and Salem.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southern Mississippi.
&&
LAT...LON 3135 9009 3133 9008 3133 9004 3118 9003
3117 9000 3113 9000 3113 8994 3108 8992
3107 9038 3112 9046 3130 9040 3135 9016
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 267DEG 28KT 3116 9038
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KLGSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1251 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
LAZ076-078>080-151845-
Southeast St. Tammany LA-Eastern Orleans LA-Northern St. Tammany LA-
Southwestern St. Tammany LA-
1251 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN ORLEANS
AND SOUTHERN ST. TAMMANY PARISHES THROUGH 145 PM CDT
...
At 1251 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southwest of Lacombe, or 13 miles northwest of New Orleans,
moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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 outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
New Orleans, Slidell, Pearl River, Lake Catherine, Lacombe,
Pearlington, and Slidell Airport.
This includes the following Interstates...
Interstate 10 in Louisiana between mile markers 250 and 255, and
between mile markers 259 and 273.
Interstate 10 in Mississippi near mile marker 1.
Interstate 12 between mile markers 67 and 84.
Interstate 59 in Louisiana between mile markers 1 and 6.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Louisiana...and southern Mississippi.
&&
LAT...LON 3039 8967 3031 8963 3029 8964 3023 8962
3017 8955 3007 8979 3009 8997 3017 8989
3013 8982 3017 8978 3022 8987 3024 9000
3030 9002 3034 9012 3041 9004
TIME...MOT...LOC 1751Z 261DEG 24KT 3022 9007
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KLGThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree across Hwy 965 near the Bluffs Subdivision. Time estimated by radar.
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees in Sage Hill subdivision. Time estimated by radar.
Multiple trees down, mostly pine snapped off. House damaged by falling tree. Damage all in one direction.
Doors blown open, trees down, power outages.
Damage to several small trees and fencing. Time estimated by radar.
A large tree fell on a home.
Wooden fence blown down. A few large tree limbs laying in the grass. Large tree uprooted.
A downed tree on a car.
Out building at St. Amant High School football field damaged.
Tree snapped around 8 to 10 feet above the ground and fell on a house on Susan Ln.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Louisiana, March 2024
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1168713, 1168715, 1168716, 1168719, 1168720, 1168723, 1168722, 1168724, 1168725, 1168721.