A storm system forming in the Gulf is set to unleash heavy rain on Louisiana and other Gulf Coast areas starting Friday, with conditions worsening over the weekend.
During hurricane season, disturbances in the Gulf’s waters often raise alarm.
However, according to the FOX Forecast Center, this system is not expected to develop into a tropical depression or storm.
Despite sea surface temperatures in the Gulf being up to 3 degrees above the norm, strong wind shear is preventing the organization of developing thunderstorms.
Although tropical development is unlikely, the system is laden with tropical moisture and is anticipated to cause coastal flooding, rough surf, and rip currents along the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines.
On Thursday, swimming was prohibited at Orange Beach, Alabama, after city officials reported dangerous rip currents along the Gulf Coast.
The scattered nature of these storms means the risk of widespread flooding is minimal.
Nevertheless, individual storms could bring heavy downpours, with rainfall potentially exceeding 2 inches per hour.
The metro areas of New Orleans, Biloxi, and Gulfport are likely to experience the most significant rainfall, with storm activity peaking on Saturday.
If several storms pass over the same location, more than 3 inches of rain and flooding could occur.
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat for the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Gulf Coast through Sunday.
Flood risks will extend into the Plains and Midwest over the weekend as more tropical moisture moves into the area.
East-southeast winds, with gusts reaching 40 mph, will push water toward the coast, resulting in dangerous surf, strong rip currents, and minor flooding during high tides.
Coastal Flood Advisories are in place from southeast Louisiana to the Mississippi coast due to the potential for 1 to 2 feet of water rise, which could flood low-lying areas like parks and parking lots.
The Southeast has already experienced several rounds of heavy storms in the past two weeks, increasing the risk of additional flash flooding.
By Sunday, the moisture will progress inland, interacting with an upper-level disturbance moving from the Four Corners region.
The merging of these systems will likely result in numerous thunderstorms across the Lower and Mid-Mississippi valleys on Sunday afternoon, affecting parts of eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, Missouri, and northwestern Arkansas.
