The severe threat is over for tonight, but storms could return on Friday

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – UPDATE 11 PM: The threat of severe weather has passed, but there may still be isolated showers until well after midnight. There may also be a clap or two of thunder, but no severe storms are expected.

As the weather pattern remains active, there is still a chance of showers and thunderstorms over the next few days.

With several disturbances on the jet stream still near SWLA, the possibility of showers and thunderstorms remains. This is also true for tonight, as a thunderstorm complex that formed in Texas on Thursday afternoon may attempt to move over SWLA in the late evening hours if it holds together. If that happens, heavy rain and gusty winds could occur. Otherwise, there is a greater chance of storms developing on Friday.

There are several opportunities for showers or thunderstorms to develop on Friday. The first will occur in the morning, as some models are expecting a series of showers and thunderstorms between mid-morning and early afternoon. Should that happen, a stronger thunderstorm could also be included, so keep a close eye on the radar before you head to work in the morning, and be cautious on the roads in case thunderstorms develop. If there isn’t much rain in the morning, that could create more instability in the atmosphere in the afternoon, allowing showers and thunderstorms to develop instead. To be clear, it doesn’t look like it will rain all day, but you should keep a close eye on the skies and it doesn’t hurt to have an umbrella handy.

Remember that “normal” summer thunderstorms can easily bring lots of lightning, heavy rain, and gusty winds and/or hail; this can easily come without much warning if thunderstorms develop in place. And it’s also quite common for thunderstorms to form waterspouts and tropical funnel clouds in the summer, so today’s tropical funnel over Cameron was nothing out of the ordinary. And you should always expect thunderstorms in the summer, too. Remember, if you hear thunder, you’re close enough to be struck by lightning, so you should get indoors immediately if you hear thunder.

Signs point to drier weather starting Sunday and continuing into early next week, but the forecast is for rain chances to remain low throughout next week. But remember, less rain means warmer weather, with afternoon temperatures heading back into the 30s next week and the heat index could be back to 38 degrees!

To view current conditions, our hourly forecast, radar and other forecast tools, visit the KPLC weather page: https://www.kplctv.com/weather/

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