KATC StormTeam 3 Weather BLOG

After nine straight mornings with sub-freezing temperatures in Acadiana a moderating temperature trend is expected while a storm system begins to develop in the Gulf tomorrow and Friday.  High and mid-level clouds should keep our temperatures in the upper 30s to lower 40s tonight with highs Thursday approaching the lower 60s under mostly cloudy skies.  An upper level disturbance in Texas is helping to induce the cloudiness this evening and will continue to do so Thursday.  Underneath these mid-level clouds there will be the possibility of a few sprinkles Thursday afternoon and evening but our best rain chances will likely hold-off until Friday night and Saturday as a stronger disturbace in the SW US helps to deepen surface low pressure in the Gulf.  The track of this storm system will put the low south of the Louisiana coast by Saturday morning trekking toward the northeastern Gulf Sunday.  This path should keep the heavier showers and storms well offshore or to the east of us with mostly light to moderate rain in-store for Acadiana.  Expect lots is clouds and breezy easterly winds on Friday with increasing rain chances developing late in the day or into the evening.  Periods of rain are a good bet  for Saturday.  Rain totals should be no higher than 1-2″ other than in St Mary Parish where isolated higher amounts will be possible.  Portions of Southeastern Louisiana could see a fair bit more depending on the track of the storm and its associated precipitation field.  So expect on and off rain with lots of clouds and maybe some fog Saturday (while your watching the Saints game!) with clearing conditions likely for Sunday.  It should be partly sunny and milder early next week with highs pushing into the mid-60s.  The next storm system will likely present a good chance of healthier thunderstorms Wednesday with the following weather system bringing the threat of stormy weather back to the area for following weekend.