Recent rainfall events have not produced heafty rainfall amounts especially in north-central Louisiana, allowing for farming and outdoor construction projects to be done on time or ahead of schedule. The current Front Street road project in Natchitoches is currently ahead of schedule by about one week according to City of Natchitoches Community Development Director Randy S. LaCaze and John Belle, project manager for Progressive Construction. Laying bricks on Natchitoches’ original brick Front Street began in 1904 and was added on to during 1927. Workers began to remove a portion of bricks on the street during March. Current rainfall for May at Natchitoches is 0.37 inches. For Shreveport, the total is 0.27 inches or 0.86 inches below normal to date for May, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport.
Curtis Kerik works on Front Street drainage during Thursday, May 8.
Chris Simmons of Flatwoods, LA and Josh Hadwin of Deville, LA make surveys on Front Street on May 8. Photos by W. Butler.
W BUTLER
Our cold front that was responsible for the squall line and its associated severe weather last evening, has moved into eastern Louisiana late this morning. The cold front is providing relatively cooler and drier air today in the Ark-La-Tex. Yesterday, at noon in Shreveport, the humidity value was 71%. Today at noon, the value was 57% .
The broken squall line swept across most of northwest Louisiana last night, moving rapidly causing one-inch rainfall or less at most locations. Some totals include: Shreveport Airport 0.18″; El Dorado .50″; Monroe 0.52″; Provencal 0.64″; Homer 0.39″ and Natchitoches (downtown) 0.29 inches. Heavier rainfall fell around Longview, TX with 1″ to 2″ inches being reported.
W BUTLER
The storms that moved through the Arklatex Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday morning brought strong, damaging winds many areas around and south of I-20.
We’ve had NO reports of tornadoes, but lots of reports of trees blown down by the strong thunderstorm winds. The red arrows on the above map show locations that reported some wind damage.
No “bad” weather is expected now through the weekend. However, we are looking at a chance of showers for Sunday Morning.
Mark Rowlett
The Storm Prediction Center has issued a tornado watch until 3-A.M. which includes the following locations: Bienville, Claiborne, Natchitoches, Grant, Lincoln and Winn.
Update: THE SHREVEPORT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS THE LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS HAS A HISTORY OF PRODUCING WIDESPREAD WIND DAMAGE ACROSS HARRISON COUNTY TEXAS, AS WELL AS CADDO, BOSSIER AND DESOTO PARISHES IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA.
A squall line was tracking across northwest Louisiana during the 9-P.M. hour this evening.. continue to watch KTBS TV 3 or KPXJ TV 21 for further weather updates this evening or listen to NOAA Weather Radio serving your area.
W BUTLER
It appears that we have more than one set of eyes on the severe weather potential for tonight. Thanks Mr. Butler for your input.
When you get a chance, can you call us.
Joe Haynes
A tornado watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for the western half of the ArkLaTex for the rest of the evening (red box). As mentioned in the last blog, storm ingredients are starting to come together increasing the severe weather threat for the next few hours. Stay tuned for the latest.
A tornado watch has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for this evening….
THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF:
* WESTERN ARKANSAS
* NORTHWESTERN LOUISIANA
* EASTERN OKLAHOMA
* NORTHEASTERN TEXAS
EFFECTIVE THIS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FROM 5:30 P.M. UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT. REMEMBER, A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Graphic: NOAA
Satellite image at 5:25 P.M. shows a squall line of thunderstorms in E. Texas
Update: The National Weather Service in Shreveport reports thunderstorm wind damage has occurred in Rusk, Texas around 7:23 p.m. Wind damage has been reported to have occurred near Jacksonville, TX this evening.
Watch KTBS TV 3 and KPXJ TV 21 for updated watches and warnings that maybe issued this evening or listen to NOAA Weather Radio serving your area.
W BUTLER
Our moderate risk of severe storms continues for the next few hours. A prefrontal trough has formed some storms from Texarkana to Longview as of 5 pm. The line is moving east at 25 mph. The upper level storm is still in SW OK. As this crosses OK, the risk of severe weather increases especially in NE TX, SE OK and SW AR through the evening. Colder air aloft, increased storm dynamics and wind shear will aid in producing severe storms with hail, gusty winds and isolated tornadoes. Also, environmental winds will stay high through the evening. So the Wind Advisory lasts until 9 pm. Stay tuned to KTBS 3, KPXJ CW-21, ktbs.com, kpxj.com and our WeatherTel hotline at 318-320-5827 for the latest.
Joe Haynes
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the storm outlook for much of the Arklatex to “moderate”. We will really have to watch out for possible tornado producing storms from mid afternoon into the evening in NE Texas, SE Oklahoma, SW Arkansas and NW Louisiana.
Mark Rowlett
We already have a “slight” risk of severe thunderstorms for this afternoon and this evening for all the Arklatex. Watch out for possible severe thunderstorms that could produce isolated tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds.
Mark Rowlett
