Line Of Storms Slows As Severe Threat Shifts Farther To The North...

We continue under a Tornado Watch through 7 PM so the severe threat is not over.  However, during the past 4-5 hours, the southern end of the line of strong storms has slowed while the northern end accelerated.  This appears to be the result of the upper energy shifting quicker to the north AWAY from us.  In fact, the "bow echo" has roared through Mississippi and it now into northern Alabama.

There's still lots of lightning with the front, but the encouraging sign is the severe reports have been well to the north.  With the slower speed of the line, it now looks like the timing moving through metro NOLA will be more like 6-8 PM.

As the upper low lifts to the NE, we'll get a shot of cooler & drier air that will make for a nice stretch of weather for the rest of this week.

Nights will be comfy cool (cold North Shore) with highs pleasantly warm with plenty of sunshine.  But we have to get through the next 4-6 hours first.

There will be some brief heavy downpours this evening, but we are not expecting any widespread flooding.  Winds will gust to 40+ before shifting to the west around 10 PM.  So let's keep up with the weather until the cold front passes through.   Finally...

The Mississippi River at the Carrollton Gauge is cresting this afternoon a little higher than predicted.  High river levels will hang around for another 7-10 days before dropping off in early April.  Unless there are heavy Spring rains over the Ohio Valley, we won't have to worry about opening the Spillway this year.  Fingers are crossed!   Stay tuned!