Tropical moisture is being squeezed into the Acadiana area thanks to two big weather systems on each side of us and plenty of moisture rolling in from the Gulf. Piece #1 is a ridge of high pressure covering much of the eastern half of the nation. Piece #2 is an upper level low currently over Texas. This is the same upper level low responsible for keeping T.D. #10 weak until it moved inland Friday evening. Piece #3 is a broad area of low pressure (94L) is centered over the southern Gulf of Mexico near the Yucatan. This low might have some potential for Tropical Development over the next couple of days, as it is looking more impressive on the visible sats this morning. Hurricane hunters are on stand by to investigate if needed. The surface low should continue on a track toward the Texas/Mexico coast. The result, occasional rain, some thunder, a few heavy downpours, and about 1″ accumulation on average each day through Thursday. Heavier amounts might fall near the coast and especially into the lower parts of St. Mary, Terrebonne, and Lafourche Parishes. Down the road as the upper level low fizzles out, a cold front will push southward from the mid part of the U.S. allowing drier air to move in for the weekend. We might see a strong line of storms with the front Thursday, clearing Friday and dry and pleasant weather for Saturday and Sunday. Lower humidities might get our temps back in the mid 60s over the weekend.
Tropical weather is active, although nothing threatening Acadiana in the near future. Tropical Storm Jerry should wind down over the northern Atlantic today and tomorrow. A disturbance near Barbados (97L) will move westward into the Caribbean and has a pretty good chance for development. Another disturbance (96L) about half way across the Atlantic looks the most promising this morning. Long range models bring it within 400 miles of the Lesser Antilles, then a northward motion into the open Atlantic. Like I said, nothing threatening the area in the near future, but I’ll keep my eye on the Barbados thing later this week if it develops.