KATC StormTeam 3 Weather BLOG

Another strong storm system developing on the West Coast will be a big weather-maker for the nation’s mid-section Wednesday and Thursday.  In Acadiana, this will translate to the possibility of a couple of rounds of severe weather and several inches of rain.  The Storm Prediction Centerhas portions of Acadiana hatched in for a “slight” risk of severe storms Wednesday into Thursday but based on the dynamics of this weather system there may be an upgrade to a “moderate” risk especially for Central Louisiana on northward.  I would expect scattered showers and storms to develop Wednesday afternoon with the possibility of rotating storms.  Veering winds aloft with this energetic storm system could produce tornadoes so expect a tornado watch to be issued for portions of the area by late Wednesday into Wednesday night.  The main frontal trough and upper low won’t get here until late Wednesday night or very early Thursday and there will likely be a continued threat of severe weather with the primary mode switching to wind damaging thunderstorms associated with a squall line, but isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out.  As Dave indicated in the previous entry the greatest risk of severe weather should be over northern portions of Acadiana and points to the north but we’ll be watching this one closely.  Skies should begin to clear for Thursday afternoon with sunny and cool conditions likely for Christmas Day into the weekend.  The pattern will stay active with another wet-weather-maker likely by the 29th/30th and a couple more in the first week of the new year…our ground is quite saturated so the threat of flood hazards may stay with us into 2010.  I’ll be enjoying Christmas with the family over the next few days and will be back on shift Sunday so have a very Merry Christmas!  Rob