What a last 24 hours! yesterday was just another reminder of how quick the atmosphere can change and get “severe” on us. On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Rita Acadiana is ripped with a mesocyclone that produced tornadic activity west of Erath, near Coteau and Cade.  National Weather Service estimates of the tornadic winds were in the F1 range, up to 112mph winds.  Earlier in the day another tornadic storm was observed in themarsh near Forked Island. Yesterday ranks with some of the bigger tornado events in Acadiana. Iin fact, the last time we saw dynamics like this was back in 1989 with a strong June cold front. (I remember 80 degree dew points on that day).
Conditions were just perfect for producing the tornadoes yesterday as a strong warm front provided lift and deep tropical moisture, and unseasonably high dew points, while cool, dense air aloft, and veering wind shear provided the rest of the ingredients. The mesocyclone that developed yesterday cut a path 12 miles long with a wall cloud that looked up to a half mile wide. The widths of the tornado touch-downs were estimated by the NWS to be 20 yards. As alluded to in an earlier blog, it really looks like that while El Nino knocks down the number of tropical systems, it heightens Acadiana’s risk of severe weather in the fall, winter and early spring time…so here we go!Â
Scattered storms will stay in the forecast for Saturday with healthier storms possible ahead of a cold front early Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center does have us hatched in for a slight risk of severe weather Sunday, so we’ll have to keep on eye on this one too. Skies should clear by late Sunday, with beautiful weather early next week. Unfortunately the atmosphere will reload again by Thursday…stay tuned…
Rob Perillo