Hazardous Weather Outlook, Excessive Rainfall Outlook, and Flood Watch Issued for Southwest Louisiana August 25

Lake Charles, Louisiana – Early on August 25, 2022, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles indicated that the main concern for today is again the risk of very heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding. Gulf moisture will continue to collide with a stationary frontal boundary. This will allow numerous showers and thunderstorms to develop throughout the day. The best time for areal coverage and intensity will be in the late morning through the afternoon.

Continued abundant moisture, a weak stalled frontal boundary, and an upper-level disturbance will result in several rounds of showers and storms. Some storms could produce very heavy rainfall, with rates between 1 and 3 inches per hour, and this will lead to the potential for flooding in poor drainage and urban areas. Also, with grounds becoming saturated in some locations, excessive runoff from the rainfall may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Therefore, a Flood Watch will be in effect until 7 pm for locations along and northwest of a Port Arthur to Opelousas line. For those outside the Flood Watch, there is still a Slight Risk Potential (level 2 out of 4,) or at least a 15 percent chance, of Excessive Rainfall that may lead to flooding.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight. Stronger storms could produce locally higher winds and seas, along with occasional cloud-to-water lightning and
heavy rainfall reducing visibility to less than one mile at times.

On Friday through Wednesday, scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected each day through the weekend. Locally higher winds and seas along with occasional to frequent cloud to water lightning and heavy rainfall can be expected with the storms.