Environmental conditions favorable for a QLCS (Quasi-Linear Convective System) tornado event developed across southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi during the afternoon and evening hours of March 11th. An upper-level storm system moving east from Texas overspread a very moist and increasingly unstable air mass in place across the region.
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.
Environmental conditions favorable for a QLCS (Quasi-Linear Convective System) tornado event developed across southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi during the afternoon and evening hours of March 11th. An upper-level storm system moving east from Texas overspread a very moist and increasingly unstable air mass in place across the region. At the same time, intense low-level wind shear and strong atmospheric spin developed as southerly winds strengthened ahead of an approaching line of storms with bowing segments.
The combination of rich Gulf moisture, strong low-level atmospheric spin, and a fast-moving line of thunderstorms created an environment supportive of embedded rotating circulations along the leading edge of the QLCS. As that line moved west to east across the local area, several rapidly developing tornadoes formed within these circulations. A total of 8 tornadoes were confirmed across southeast Louisiana, including 2 with path lengths exceeding 10 miles. Well over a dozen additional reports of damaging straight-line winds were also received.
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 11, 5:47 PM CST, 1 hour 4 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
647 PM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026
...NEW AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 639 PM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026
- A strong trough will move through the region late Wednesday.
This will drive a cold front across the region with showers and
thunderstorms impacting the area during the overnight hours
Wednesday night. This system will have the potential to bring a
few strong to severe storms with all modes of severe weather
possible, and the entire area will have the potential of seeing
strong to severe storms. Residents should continue to monitor
the forecast for updates as this threat evolves.
- In the wake of the cold front, much cooler and drier air will
move into the area for about 36 to 48 hours Thursday into Friday.
Temperatures will moderate quickly for the weekend, but another
shot of much cooler air will arrive Sunday night.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Thursday night)
Issued at 1201 PM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026
The highlight of the short term is the frontal passage we are
expecting this evening to overnight. General timing is enter the
area about 5pm and depart around 5am. Prior to the front we
expect scattered showers to develop and in fact they are beginning
to form just to our west. Associated with the front itself will be
sufficient lift and shear to support isolated severe storms with
strong wind gusts and a few tornadoes up to EF-2 strength.
Widespread rain amounts will be in the 1" range with isolated
pockets up to 2-ish inches. This will be enough rain to make ponding
of water likely and could result in roads becoming impassable.
As always stay tuned for details as the weather evolves and have
a way to receive watches and warnings.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Friday through Tuesday night)
Issued at 1201 PM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026
Behind the near term frontal system, we expect a period of clear,
but cool weather more typical of the late winter or early spring.
Then, into the weekend warming brings well-above normal
temperatures and humidities. By late Sunday night another upper
level trough sweeps out of the plains bringing more chances of
rain and stormy weather followed by a brief cool-down.
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 639 PM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026
MVFR/VFR ongoing across the region will be reduced later this
evening as a line of convection moves east across the region.
Within the line, strong erratic winds will also be possible.
Showers may linger an hour or two behind the main convective line.
Prior to the line, a few isolated thunderstorms will be possible
over MCB and BTR (used TEMPOS until the main line arrives).
Otherwise, VIS/CIGs improve by Thursday morning with a strong
northerly flow some wind gusts in excess of 30kts will be possible
during the day on Thursday. (Frye)
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 1201 PM CDT Wed Mar 11 2026
Onshore winds around 10kt prevail ahead of the frontal passage
forecasted for this evening and tonight. Showers will occur ahead
of the front transitioning to stronger convection as the front
nears and passes with an increase in wind speed to around 15kt.
Convection will be accompanied by localized strong, gusty winds
and can't rule out waterspouts. When the front passes winds will
shift to out of the north and increase to 20-25kt which has
prompted a Small Craft Advisory. As the impacts of the passing
front decrease, wind speeds drop below 10kt and turn easterly
through the weekend. Another system very late in the weekend is
likely to produce another round of hazardous marine conditions.
&&
.LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM to 7 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ530-
532-534-536-538-550-552-555-557-570-572-575-577.
MS...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM to 7 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ532-
534-536-538-550-552-555-557-570-572-575-577.
&&
SHORT TERM...DS
LONG TERM....DS
AVIATION...RDF
MARINE...DSThe Hammond radar (KHDC), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:52 UTC.
21 thunderstorm wind, 12 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Multiple power poles knocked down along Port Hudson Cemetery Rd.
Tree down home in Maringouin on Wheelock Road.
Trained spotter reported a tree down on a home in Maringouin in Iberville Parish.
Emergency management reported trees down in Zachary on Cobb Street.
Metal roof cover partially removed from a mobile home.
Large limbs down and and power lines down.
An EF-1 tornado quickly spun up along a line of strong thunderstorms near Liverpool LA, south of LA 1043. This tornado caused predominantly uprooted and snapped tree damage as it tracked southeast. It began to track more east-southeast as it exited St Helena Parish and entered Tangipahoa Parish near LA 10 just west of I-55. Peak intensity was 95 mph and max width was 200 yards.
Broadcast media reported downed trees via social media post in Addis.
Livingston Fire reports trees down on Weiss Rd and Ligo Rd north of Livingston.
An EF-1 tornado entered Tangipahoa Parish from St Helena Parish a couple miles west of I-55 just north of LA 10. A few trees were snapped and uprooted by the tornado along the interstate before dissipating.
An EF-0 tornado with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph rapidly developed along a line of thunderstorms near Hwy 1047 and Deer Creek Rd. Minor tree damage was noted in this portion of the track. The tornado exited St Helena Parish and entered Tangipahoa Parish 1 mile north of Highway 1048.
A 65 MPH EF0 tornado touched down north of Albany, LA and tracked southeast. The damage was large branches and tree debris along the line that also lines up with the radar signature. The tornado exited Livingston Parish and entered Tangipahoa Parish just west of Kinchen Road about one half mile south of Highway 442.
Emergency Management reported trees down along State Route 1061 and J T Conerly RD.
An EF-0 tornado with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph rapidly developed along a line of thunderstorms, near the Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish border. As it cross the parish line 1 mile north of Highway 1048 into a solar farm where a weak tornado debris signature became evident on KHDC. Only minor tree damage was evident along this section of Interstate 55. Additional tree damage including uproots and snapped tree tops were evident between I-55 and Hwy 51 which was collocated with a stronger tornado debris signature on KHDC. The tornado likely peaked in strength and size in this area. Thereafter, the tornado crossed the Tangipahoa River and began moving east-southeast toward LA Hwy 10. The tornado caused mostly uprooted trees and snapped large limbs off of trees along LA Hwy 10 before it dissipated just east of LA 1054.
Trees down On HWY 51 and Arcola Rd.
Emergency management reported trees down on Commercial ST and Roseland Ave in Roseland.
A 65 MPH EF0 tornado entered Tangipahoa Parish from Livingston Parish just west of Kinchen Road about one half mile south of Highway 442. The damage was large branches and tree debris along the line that also lines up with the radar signature. The tornado lifted after reaching Woodhaven Road.
An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 95 mph and max width of 200 yards rapidly developed within a strong line of thunderstorms southeast of Lewiston, LA along LA 38. This tornado predominantly caused minor tree damage as it tracked southeastward, maintaining EF-0 intensity as it exited Tangipahoa Parish and entered Washington Parish just northwest of the intersection of LA 450 and LA 1057.
Emergency management reported trees down along Crapanzano Rd and Cannino Rd in western Hammond.
Emergency management reports trees down along Briar Patch Cemetery Rd and Neal Rd east of Amite City.
An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 95 mph and max width of 200 yards entered Washington Parish from Tangipahoa Parish just northwest of the intersection of LA 1057 and LA 450. The tornado strengthened, uprooting trees and snapping large branches and the tops of trunks as it reached LA Hwy 10 and moved into Sylvest Rd. Additional tree damage was identified downstream of the surveyed end point of this tornado via high resolution satellite imagery which evidently dissipated prior to it reaching LA Hwy 16, west of Franklinton.
A EF-0 tornado with a maximum wind speed of 65 mph touched down just east of Loranger. This was determined via a ground survey point and minor tree damage evident on high resolution satellite imagery. This track was collocated with a weak tornado debris signature evident on radar imagery from nearby KHDC.
Emergency management reports trees down at US 190 at Hart Road in Hammond.
Emergency Management reported trees down on Macedonia Rd near Springfield.
Emergency management reported trees down along Yokum Rd and I-12 service Rd in Hammond.
An EF-1 tornado quickly spun up along a line of strong thunderstorms just east of Franklinton Louisiana. The tornado tracked southeastward through southern areas of Franklinton, causing moderate roof damage to a Floral Shop and damaging a business sign. As it crossed LA 16 it caused minor roof damage to homes and an apartment building while also causing a couple trees to fall on a home and shed. After the tornado crossed south of LA 1072 it caused moderate damage to a forecast, snapping about 40-50 small pine trees. This was the peak intensity of the tornado which was 105 mph. This tornado caused several uprooted and snapped trees along its path. Finally the tornado tracked further southeast, before dissipating east of LA 1072 north of Fussell Road.
Public reported trees down on North Thibodeaux road south of Robert, LA.
An EF-0 tornado with peak wind of 80 mph and max width of 50 yards rapidly developed within a line of storms near Blond, LA in St. Tammany Parish. This tornado predominantly uprooted and damaged tree branches and rotten trunks as it tracked from Allison Rd east-southeast through LA Hwy 40 before dissipating near Lee Road Junior High School.
An EF-0 tornado with peak winds 75 mph and max width of 50 yards rapidly developed within a line of storms subsequently after the dissipation of an EF-0 tornado to its southwest. This tornado caused minor tree damage along a defined path from a private residence west of LA Hwy 1082 and Elderberry Ln east-southeast to LA Hwy 1083 near Oalmann Rd.
Tree, minor roof and window damage along Holly Street in Mandeville.
Emergency management reported doors of a general store blown open and stock scattered inside.
Multiple trees down along Robert Rd most of the damage was between Chanticleer Dr and Haas Rd.
Large limbs from a Live Oak tree down, some minor roof damage and scattered small to medium limbs down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Louisiana, 2026Warnings in Louisiana, March 2026
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: 1324405, 1324406, 1324408, 1324411, 1324412, 1324413, 1323925, 1324414, 1324415, 1323927, 1323980, 1323959, 1324416, 1323981, 1324417, 1324418, 1323971, 1324344, 1324419, 1324420, 1324345, 1323984, 1324421, 1324422, 1324423, 1324346, 1324424, 1324352, 1324356, 1324425, 1324426, 1324427, 1324428.