4 things to know about the weather
- No clouds today
- Temperatures back near average
- Tropical Storm Francine strengthening
- No tropical rains for us
The long stretch of quiet weather in the tropics has come to an end.
Francine is now a tropical storm and will soon become a hurricane. There is good agreement among the forecast models that Francine will make landfall along the west central coast of Louisiana around sunset Wednesday - most likely as a Category 2 storm.
Even the most optimistic outlook for rain keeps us dry through at least the next five to six days before any rain can materialize. So the drought continues.
In the meantime, September sunshine will rule. Daytime highs will reach the low-80s today and the mid-80s on Wednesday and Thursday.
We should get some high clouds from Francine by Friday and the weekend. That, plus a change in wind direction to the Southeast, should keep highs in the low 80s for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tropical Storm Francine's impacts in the South
This forecast is not good news for New Orleans. The strongest storm surge will be pushed up the mouth of the Mississippi River, with the heaviest rain coming just upriver from New Orleans.
Significant inland flooding will occur from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge. By Thursday's sunset, the core of Francine will travel up the Mississippi and be near Memphis, Tennessee.
There is less certainty about where all that tropical moisture will go from there but, as of now, it looks as though our dominating ridge of high pressure will hold firm and keep from getting any of the rainfall we so desperately need.
Further out into the future, there are hints of a tropical storm organizing off the Carolina coast about a week from now. If that happens (and that is a big if seven days out) we might finally get a soaking rain. StormTeam4 will follow all of this closely.
Weather radar
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10-day forecast
Quickcast
TODAY:
Mostly Sunny
Super Low Humidity
Light Breeze
Wind: Northwest 4-8 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 78° - 84°
TONIGHT:
Mainly Clear
Comfortable
Coolest In Rural Areas
Chance Of Rain: 0%
Wind: Variable 2-5 mph
LOWS: 54° - 64°
WEDNESDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Slightly More Humid
Light Breeze
Chance Of Rain: 0%
Wind: Southeast 4-8 mph
HIGHS: 82° - 86°
THURSDAY:
Sunny Morning
Increasing Clouds
Staying Dry
Wind: Southeast 5-10 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 78° - 84°
FRIDAY:
Partly Sunny
A Bit Humid
Staying Dry
Wind: Southeast 5-10 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 78° - 84°
Sunrise 6:46 Sunset 7:23
Average High: 83° Average Low: 66°
