A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH has been issued until 8:00 PM Friday for parishes and counties north of I-12, including the city of Baton Rouge. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Be alert to threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
Scattered thunderstorms will intensify rapidly throughout the afternoon, driven by hot, humid conditions and a stalling front. The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts between 55 and 70 mph. In the most robust storms, isolated instances of quarter-sized hail up to 1 inch in diameter.
Remember that the WBRZ WX App. is *free* on Apple and Android devices and can be used for breaking weather information, live radar, and forecast details. You can also use it to watch live coverage if power or broadcast signal is ever lost. For even more, connect with the Storm Station on Twitter and Facebook. Stream WBRZ+ for continuous information as it becomes available.
Once thunderstorms fade overnight, dangerous summer heat will take center stage. Some late-day relief from showers may become increasingly possible later in the week…