Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall Update - Friday April 9, 2020

Click HERE is the latest update concerning the severe weather and heavy rainfall threat through tomorrow morning.

Changes from previous update:

• Highlighted potential for "significant' severe wind gusts across areas north of the I-10/12 corridor

• Introduced Enhanced Risk of severe weather lingering into Saturday for portions of Jackson County and lower Plaquemines Parish

• Otherwise, no appreciable changes since this morning's update.

Overview:

WHAT: Marginal to Moderate of severe weather Marginal to Slight Risk of excessive rainfall/flash flooding

WHEN: A few isolated severe storms will be possible this afternoon, but the main threat will be overnight tonight into Saturday morning.

WHERE: The greatest severe weather and heavy rain threats will be across areas north of the I-10/12 corridor

CONFIDENCE:

• We are confident there will be thunderstorms across the area and that a few of them will become severe

• We are less confident in the exact rainfall totals

Impacts:

Severe Weather Impacts This Afternoon:

• Large hail will be the primary threat this afternoon (golf ball or larger hail isn't out of the question)

Severe Weather Impacts Overnight tonight into Saturday morning:

• Damaging wind gusts will be the primary threat, though a few tornadoes and large hail will also be possible

• Winds in excess of 65 mph can down trees and powerlines, and cause minor structural damage

• There is some chance of "significant" severe wind gusts in excess of 75 mph across areas generally north of the I-10/12 corridor. Winds of this magnitude can cause widespread damage to trees and powerlines and can result in damage even to well built structures

Heavy Rain Impacts:

• 1 to 3 inches of rain is forecast across most of SE LA and S MS

• Isolated areas could see 3 to 6 inches, especially across areas north of the I-10/12 corridor

• Ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas is likely, with localized flash flooding possible

• Rises on area rivers are expected, with additional or worsening river flooding possible - especially across the north shore and MS Gulf coastal basins

The attached briefing contains graphics and information highlighting the expected threats and a more detailed breakdown of current timing. Additional graphics and weather safety messages will be posted to our social media accounts throughout the day. Please feel free to retweet and/or share these graphics for wider distribution.

Additional Information and Resources:

NWS New Orleans Website: www.weather.gov/neworleans
NWS New Orleans DSS Website: http://www.weather.gov/lix/embrief
River Gauges and Forecasts: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lix
NWS New Orleans Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSNewOrleans
NWS New Orleans Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSNewOrleans
Online Severe Weather Reporting: https://www.weather.gov/lix/submit_storm_report
Storm Prediction Center: www.spc.noaa.gov
Weather Prediction Center: www.wpc.noaa.gov

Next Update and Contact Information:

Unless there are any significant changes, the next update will be sent by 10pm this evening primarily focused on updated timing. If you have any questions in the interim or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We can be reached by phone at 504-522-7330 or 985-649-0429.  Use extension 4 to speak with a forecaster.  Alternatively, you can reach us by email by replying to this message or sending an email to sr-lix.forecasters@noaa.gov. Both methods will be delivered to the forecasters on shift at the office.

Regards,
Danielle Manning
Meteorologist
NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge