Another round of hefty storms moved through the area earlier today. Strongest activity developed over the Basin and then traveled southwestward across St Martin and then Vermilion Parishes. I’ve seen this happen numerous times over the years…when a developing storm has a little extra instability aloft, drifts westward
across the swamp and then meets additional instability from heating over the land areas in central Upper St Martin Parish. The result is usually strong downdrafts anywhere from near Butte La Rose southward to Catahoula, Coteau Holmes and then Parks. Today wind damage occurred near Catahoula with a number of mobile homes heavily damaged, carports and trampolines tossed, and fairly large trees snapped. Based on the video assessment this afternoon, it looked like at least 80mph winds. Rainfall rates of 2-3†per hour occurred once again across portions of St Martin and Vermilion Parishes today.Â
As mentioned yesterday, the weak upper system should enhance our rain chances for one more day as high pressure to the northeast pushes this system back into Texas. Therefore, our rain chances should go down for Friday into the weekend while temperatures climb back into the mid-upper 80s. Another disturbance, or part of the same one, should push eastward back out of Texas early next week with rain chances going back up. This may set the stage for another nice cool front late next week…so keep your fingers crossed! Â