Saturday’s weather forecast is becoming increasingly unnerving, with local meteorologists warning residents in New Orleans and Baton Rouge to stay alert and get prepared for strong tornadoes and hurricane-force winds.
WWL-Louisiana meteorologist Payton Malone said in a post on X Thursday morning that a “tornado outbreak is looking more and more likely across the Deep South,” and a few “significant” tornadoes are expected.
The Storm Prediction Center said the region encompassing New Orleans, Baton Rouge and the northshore is at a “moderate risk” for storms, the fourth of five ratings the center uses to show how likely a region is to see severe weather. A “moderate risk” is just below the fifth and most severe “high risk” level.
“It’s rare to see a threat for severe weather elevated this high three days out from the event,” Malone said.
What to expect
The National Weather Service of New Orleans said scattered and severe thunderstorms are expected to move over southeast Louisiana sometime Saturday, likely in the afternoon or evening…