The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., has issued a tornado watch for western and central Louisiana, southern Arkansas, western Mississippi and eastern Texas until 9 p.m. today. Tornadoes, large hail, strong thunderstorm gusts and dangerous lightning are possible in the watch area, which extends are far east as Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes but does not include parishes in the Capital Region. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area, and persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
Meanwhile, the SPC has issued a public severe weather outlook for the possible development of strong and long-lived tornadoes and damaging wind gusts tonight across eastern Louisiana, southeast Arkansas and most of Mississippi. “While overall severe thunderstorm coverage is not expected to be widespread, the potential for a significant tornado after dark warrants heightened safety precautions,” the outlook says. For more information, go to the Storm Prediction Center website here or the National Weather Service’s New Orleans-Baton Rouge office website here.
