KATC StormTeam 3 Weather BLOG

Scattered tropical showers and some rumbles of thunder popped up across Acadiana this afternoon in response to left over moisture from the convective complex that moved through the area late last night.  Some showers this afternoon were quite heavy particularly across the northern portions of Acadiana with a tropical funnel cloud also spotted just south of Eunice around 300pm.  This is typical of more summer like weather patterns with warm and humid conditions along with some instability allowing for rapid development of shower activity today.  Funnel clouds are a result of quick updrafts combined with cooling downdrafts from the rain.  Rarely do these funnels touch the ground but we certainly get to see more of them through the summer months when tropical moisture is most robust across the area.  Tomorrow should bring a more stable atmosphere across the region allowing for fewer showers, more sun and consequently warmer temperatures.  Right now we are going less than a 20% chance of shower for tomorrow.  While models are indicating not much shower activity there may be a slightly better chance of an afternoon storm Thursday due to a slightly more unstable atmosphere.  Rain chances should stay near 20% or less Friday and Saturday while a pattern more conducive to storm complexes and enhanced rain chances could develop late Sunday and may carry into the middle part of next week.  There are some signals that we could see rather heavy storms for next Tuesday with an approach of a frontal boundary…we’ll see how future model runs look.  Temperature-wise we will be mired in the mid-80s the rest of the week and will be creeping toward the upper 80s this weekend.