Much of Louisiana is bracing for potentially damaging weather.
The National Weather Service says, "Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop beginning Saturday morning and continuing into the late evening hours."
WWL TV Meteorologist Alexa Trischler says the worst of the weather moves in starting after sunrise.
"What we're closely watching is a strong upper trough/low, currently moving across the western part of the US, which will send a cold front into the area on Saturday, triggering a chance for storms with some potentially becoming severe. Exact timing seems consistent with models calling for the greatest threat from the late morning through the early evening."
She posted that the risk level is higher than we usually see in Southeast Louisiana.
"The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has also increased the likelihood of severe weather across SE LA and S MS to include from the Metro Area to the River Parishes and the Northshore, also including all of S MS, under a level 4 out of 5 threat."
Trischler says strong, long-duration tornadoes are possible.
"Along with tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail are possible. It will also be windy all Saturday with south winds coming in 15 to 25 mph, gusting above 40 mph at times."
Sunday and Monday look very nice with highs in the low 70s, lower humidity, and mostly sunny skies.
Detailed Forecast
TODAY:
Mostly cloudy. 20% chance PM rain. Low threat strong/severe. Warm, humid. Windy. High: 84. Winds: S 10-20+ mph.
SATURDAY:
70% chance showers and storms late morning through early evening. Many severe storms possible. Windy, warm, muggy. Low: S 70, N 67. High: 83.
SUNDAY:
Cooler, less humid. Breezy. Mostly sunny. Low: S 57, N 53. High: 72.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY:
Mostly sunny. Cool and pleasant! Low: S 50, N 42. High: 71.
TUESDAY:
Mostly sunny. Warmer. Nice. Low: S 52, N 44. High: 75.
WEDNESDAY:
Partly to mostly cloudy. Warmer, a bit more humid. Breezy. 20% chance late night showers, storms. Low: S 60, N 57. High: 79.
THURSDAY:
Sun and clouds. Cooler, less humid. Breezy. Low: S 55, N 49. High: 70.