LOUISIANA — A preliminary storm report listing a 132 mph wind gust near Mire in Acadia Parish is drawing significant scrutiny from meteorologists, with mounting evidence suggesting the number was likely erroneous rather than a record-setting extreme wind event.
The report, logged around 2 miles south of Mire near Duson and the Lafayette Parish border, initially indicated a 132 mph gust attributed to a “mesonet” station. However, closer inspection of radar data and station availability is casting serious doubt on the validity of that reading.
No Confirmed Mesonet Station in Mire
One of the first concerns involves the source of the report. The entry lists the gust as coming from a mesonet station in Mire. However, the University of Louisiana Monroe does not operate a mesonet station in Mire, raising questions about how the data was collected and verified.
Meteorologists reviewing the situation believe the 132 mph figure may have been:
- Misreported in kilometers per hour instead of miles per hour
- Entered incorrectly by a local resident
- Mistakenly classified as a mesonet observation
If the original value was 132 km/h, that would convert to approximately 82 mph, which aligns much more realistically with observed storm conditions.
Radar Shows Rotating Kink, But No Debris Signature
Radar imagery from the Lake Charles radar site showed a rotating “kink in the line” circulation moving through the broader Lafayette region. While embedded rotation was present within the squall line, analysts did not observe a debris signature — which would typically be expected with a tornado strong enough to produce 132 mph winds…