Yesterday I was worried that we might see some training of storms resulting in widespread flooding. That didn't happen, but we did see several severe storms with wind gusts of 70+ resulting in down power poles knocking out electricity for many. It was somewhat discouraging to see so many poles knocked down. This was not a Cat 2 or 3 (winds 110-120+) Hurricane coming through.
I understand trees can snap, but I thought Entergy was spending the rate increase to fortify & strengthen poles? Let's review the radar views beginning at 3 AM followed by 6 AM. Before dawn, the rains were concentrated to our north and west.
By 6 AM (bottom view) the lightning strikes were increasing to our west and it appeared a training band was trying to form. By 8 AM, it was obvious several clusters of strong storms were racing eastward with the middle view at 9 AM showing a severe band plowing across the heart of NOLA.
By 10 AM (bottom view) the band had pushed east of the city and weakened as it headed towards the MS. coast.
By 11 AM, the severe threat was gone, leaving behind just steady light to moderate rainfall for several hours. I had 3.49" near Bonnabel & I-10 with 3.07" falling between 9-10 AM. Fortunately, no training set up so the pumps quickly drained off any water in the streets. We'll see a mostly dry Thursday, but the rains will return. Here's why. Look what happens to the upper low.
The upper low in Kansas today drops southward into Louisiana on Saturday and keeps it there for Sunday. Translation? We will be on the "wet side" of this system and more bands of heavy rains are likely. SPC doesn't indicate a strong severe threat, just more heavy rainfall.
All the clouds and showers kept us in the upper 60s to lower 70s.
Our average/normal highs should be in the middle 80s so today felt very comfortable. That below-average trend will continue into the weekend.
Until this slow-moving upper low lifts out next week, keep the rain gear handy. Thursday should see many dry periods until daytime heating bubbles up some storms. Pay attention for more heavy downpours Gang. Stay tuned!
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