Another Earthquake was recorded in Eastern Texas Thursday, just a couple weeks after two smaller quakes. This one had a magnitude of 4.3 and was centered near Timpson. The Earthquake could be felt from Southern Arkansas to Central Louisiana, but produced no significant damage. The largest quake on record in this part of Texas is one of 4.7-magnitude back in March 1957.
FutureTrack is showing a few storms this afternoon as an upper level disturbance moves across the area. I don’t expect many showers and storms, but we will see a few developing, esecially when temperatures reach the mid 80s. I’m not expecting any severe weather. This disturbance will move east of us tonight, so tomorrow and Friday will be dry. Temperatures will be warmer over the next few days, too. Highs will be in the upper 80s late this week, and that will last into the weekend. A slight chance of rain will return for the weekend. It does look as though summer-like weather is making its way into Acadiana.
Don’t miss our weather special this weekend, “In the Strike Zone: Preparing for the 2012 Hurricane Season”, airing Saturday at 6:30 and 10:35 pm. While you may have heard the forecast of a “quieter” hurricane season, the Gulf may be rather busy. Heath has a great interview with a local insurance expert and also explains El Niño Southern Oscillation. I’ll share an exclusive interview with Dr. Phil Klotzbach and show you a computer model simulation of storm surge that is rather eye-opening, while Chris has an excellent story on hurricane preparedness tips. Don’t miss this show! Watch it live, or set your DVR!
Mother Nature does not follow a schedule and although the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season does not begin until June 1st the National Hurricane Center is already watching a cluster of thunderstorms. It has almost a 50% chance of becoming an organized system and gives us an early reminder that you should be prepared because the season is just around the corner!
It’s a rainy day across Acadiana as an upper level disturbance is moving through the area. I think the rain will move out this afternoon, then we should see more rain move in late tonight and tomorrow. We may see a few strong to severe thunderstorms, but the chances of severe weather will be low. The main concern will be heavy rain as some areas may receive up to four inches of rain with this system. On average, I think most areas will see one to two inches of rain. Most of the rain will move out Sunday, but we may see a few showers early Sunday. Monday looks dry, and we will see a chance of showers returning Tuesday and Wednesday.The weather pattern looks unsettled for the next week.
An afternoon thunderstorm cluster popped-up around Grand Isle, producing at least a couple waterspouts, with one making landfall and becoming a tornado. Here is the summary from the NWS:
0240 PM TORNADO GRAND ISLE CMAN 29.27N 89.96W
05/09/2012 JEFFERSON LA TRAINED SPOTTER
NWS COOPERATIVE OBSERVER AND ISLAND RESIDENT SURVEYED THE
DAMAGE AND DETERMINED A TORNADO DAMAGE PATH OF 1/4 MILE
LONG…400 FEET WIDE. WATERSPOUT MOVED ASHORE NEAR THE
END OF ROSETHORN LANE…MOVED SOUTH ACROSS
MULBERRY…CRANBERRY AND ELDERBERRY LANES. ONE HOME HAD
ROOF COMPLETELY REMOVED. SEVEN OTHERS HAD VARIOUS DEGREES
OF ROOF DAMAGE. NUMEROUS SHEDS…CARPORTS AND STRUCTURES
DAMAGED. THREE POWER LINES WERE DOWNED ALONG HIGHWAY 1.
TORNADO LIFTED A FEW HUNDRED YARDS SOUTH OF GRAND ISLE.
Below is a look at the radar at 2:40 PM, the time at which the waterspouts were occurring. After moving across Grand Isle, the cluster moved into the Gulf and weakened.
We started the week off with some rain, and we will see a dry, less humid day tomororow, but it won’t last long as the next storm system will move through this weekend. An upper level low pressure is near the Baja of California, and it will move east, making it to Acadiana this weekend. This will give us a chance of rain Saturday and Sunday, with better rain chances Saturday. We will see a slight chance of rain late Friday afternoon, but I think most of Friday will be dry. It may not be the best weekend for outdoor plans, but it won’t rain all day Saturday and Sunday. The severe weather risk will be very low with this system. It does look as though we will see a chance of showers into early next week as well.
We have a limited number of seats available to the 21st annual KLFY-TV Hurricane Conference this Thursday, May 10, from 9 AM to 1 PM in downtown Lafayette. This conference is not open to the public; rather, if you are in the police/fire field of work, the emergency preparedness field, work for a city or parish government, or are a business owner or operations/safety manager, you may attend.
If interested, e-mail Chief Meteorologist David Paul ASAP from your company e-mail account at dpaul@klfy.com. State your title and company and approximate number of employees. As long as we have seats available, you’ll receive a follow-up e-mail with the official invitation.
Speakers this year include representatives from the LSU Hurricane Center, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, along with meteorologists from the TV-10 weather team. You’ll walk away with valuable information regarding the upcoming hurricane season.
This conference is FREE and includes a light breakfast and catered luncheon. Respond quickly if interested.
After a stretch of hot, humid summer like weather it looks like we may see some relief for the work week. A cold front will makes its way through Acadiana on Wednesday. Rain chances will steadily increase into Wednesday as we will see scattered showers and storms across Acadiana. Behind the front temperatures will fall back to normal and the dew points will return to a more comfortable level as well.
The Moon will make its nearest pass to Earth of the year Saturday evening, setting the stage for an incredible site. Since the Moon will be full at the same time, it will appear around 14% larger and 30% larger than normal. We’ll have relatively clear skies, so get ready for a spectacular site as the Moon rises with the setting Sun!
