What forecasters said that day
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 48 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 15, 6:47 AM CST, 5 hours 48 minutes before
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...RWIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Mar 15, 10:55 AM CST, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Special 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, Mar 15, 11:29 AM CST, 1 hour 6 minutes before
Special 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, Mar 15, 11:34 AM CST, 1 hour 1 minute before
Special 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, Mar 15, 11:51 AM CST, 44 minutes before
Special 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
KLGSpecial weather statement, Mar 15, 12:16 PM CST, 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
116 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
LAZ037-039-071-081-MSZ069>071-077-151915-
Washington LA-Central Tangipahoa LA-St. Helena LA-
Northern Tangipahoa LA-Pike MS-Walthall MS-Amite MS-Pearl River MS-
116 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN ST.
HELENA, NORTHERN TANGIPAHOA AND WASHINGTON PARISHES, WALTHALL, PIKE,
SOUTHEASTERN AMITE AND NORTHERN PEARL RIVER COUNTIES THROUGH 215 PM
CDT
...
At 116 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Tylertown to near Gillsburg. Movement was
southeast at 40 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...
Mccomb, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Liberty, Amite City, Magnolia,
Kentwood, Summit, Tylertown, Varnado, Roseland, Osyka, Mount Herman,
Wilmer, Salem, Dexter, Gillsburg, Easleyville, Tangipahoa, and Angie.
This includes the following Interstates...
Interstate 55 in Louisiana between mile markers 50 and 66.
Interstate 55 in Mississippi between mile markers 1 and 20.
Interstate 59 in Mississippi between mile markers 36 and 42.
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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Louisiana...and southern Mississippi.
&&
LAT...LON 3133 9004 3114 9000 3113 8994 3107 8992
3107 8984 3100 8983 3101 8951 3098 8943
3101 8942 3101 8935 3096 8934 3070 9019
3071 9026 3068 9026 3064 9038 3100 9083
3101 9088 3113 9088 3135 9034 3135 9011
TIME...MOT...LOC 1816Z 302DEG 35KT 3113 9020 3100 9074
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
KLGSpecial weather statement, Mar 15, 12:26 PM CST, 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
126 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
LAZ034>037-046>048-071-079-081>085-151915-
Central Tangipahoa LA-Lower Tangipahoa LA-East Feliciana LA-
Western Ascension LA-Pointe Coupee LA-East Baton Rouge LA-
West Feliciana LA-Iberville LA-Northern Livingston LA-
Northern St. Tammany LA-St. Helena LA-Southern Livingston LA-
Northern Tangipahoa LA-West Baton Rouge LA-
126 PM CDT Fri Mar 15 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN
ASCENSION, WEST BATON ROUGE, ST. HELENA, SOUTHEASTERN WEST FELICIANA,
SOUTHERN POINTE COUPEE, WEST CENTRAL ST. TAMMANY, LIVINGSTON, EAST
FELICIANA, IBERVILLE, TANGIPAHOA AND EAST BATON ROUGE PARISHES
THROUGH 215 PM CDT
...
At 125 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from Kentwood to Fordoche.
Movement was southeast at 40 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...
Baton Rouge, Hammond, Zachary, Baker, Denham Springs, Plaquemine,
Port Allen, New Roads, Jackson, St. Francisville, Clinton,
Greensburg, Amite, Oak Hills Place, St. Gabriel, Ponchatoula, Walker,
Amite City, Addis, and Brusly.
This includes the following Interstates...
Interstate 10 in Louisiana between mile markers 128 and 174.
Interstate 12 between mile markers 1 and 50.
Interstate 55 in Louisiana between mile markers 26 and 64.
Interstate 110 in Louisiana between mile markers 1 and 8.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These storms 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.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in New Orleans.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for
southeastern Louisiana...and southern Mississippi.
&&
LAT...LON 3066 9174 3100 9064 3100 9053 3054 9010
3010 9147 3019 9147 3020 9149 3023 9148
3026 9159 3036 9164 3038 9163 3044 9164
3050 9171 3050 9175 3052 9173 3056 9176
3061 9176
TIME...MOT...LOC 1825Z 336DEG 35KT 3093 9053 3061 9159
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TJS