Weekly BriefingWeekly Briefing3/10/20113/10/2011

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PatrickOmundson/PatrickOmundson/Matthew DuplantisMatthew Duplantis

National Weather Service Shreveport, LouisianaNational Weather Service Shreveport, Louisiana

Overview TodayToday

Just below normal for the high Just below normal for the high temperatures today. Low to mid 60s temperatures today. Low to mid 60s across the area.across the area.

TonightTonight Low temperatures will run around 10 Low temperatures will run around 10

degrees below normal tonight. Areas degrees below normal tonight. Areas north of I-20 will see temperatures at or north of I-20 will see temperatures at or below freezing…and frost will be present below freezing…and frost will be present in most areas region-wide. in most areas region-wide.

ExtendedExtended The next chance of precipitation…which The next chance of precipitation…which

is not very good…will be on Monday.is not very good…will be on Monday.National Weather Service Shreveport, LouisianaNational Weather Service Shreveport, Louisiana

CurrentlyCurrently

National Weather Service Shreveport, LouisianaNational Weather Service Shreveport, Louisiana

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TodayTodayHighs Today Highs Today High High

temperatures temperatures around 60 in around 60 in the north.the north.

High High temperatures temperatures in the mid 60s in the mid 60s to the south.to the south.

Northwest Northwest winds 10 to winds 10 to 15 MPH.15 MPH.

Sunny skies…Sunny skies…

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TonightTonightLows TonightLows Tonight

Low Low temperatures temperatures at or below at or below freezing…freezing…roughly I-20 roughly I-20 and northward.and northward.

Low Low temperatures temperatures in the mid 30s in the mid 30s for points for points south.south.

Frost for most Frost for most points across points across the area.the area.

Winds near Winds near calm.calm.

Clear skies…Clear skies… Climatic last Climatic last

freeze is freeze is around March around March 15.15.

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Weekend Weekend (Highs/Lows reaching normal values)(Highs/Lows reaching normal values)

Highs in the 70s/Lows in the 50s

Highs Lows

ExtendedExtendedGFS ModelGFS Model

Next chance Next chance of of precipitation precipitation late Sunday late Sunday night into night into Monday.Monday.

Not much Not much moisture to moisture to work with…work with…rainfall rainfall amounts will amounts will be limited…be limited…and chances and chances of rainfall of rainfall may even be may even be on the low on the low side. side.

DROUGHT SITUATIONDROUGHT SITUATION Below normal rainfall in Below normal rainfall in

February has resulted in a February has resulted in a continuation of the severe and continuation of the severe and extreme drought conditions extreme drought conditions across the region. Since the across the region. Since the drought began about a year drought began about a year ago…most locations have ago…most locations have received only 50 -70 percent of received only 50 -70 percent of annual rainfall.annual rainfall.

Above normal temperatures in Above normal temperatures in the latter portion of the the latter portion of the month…particularly several month…particularly several days that were both windy and days that were both windy and warm days…with temperatures warm days…with temperatures in the 70s…and winds gusting in the 70s…and winds gusting over 30 mph…aggravating over 30 mph…aggravating drought conditions.drought conditions.

Pleasure point water system in Pleasure point water system in Angelina county experiencing a Angelina county experiencing a limited water rationing until limited water rationing until further notice. further notice.

No burn bans in effect…No burn bans in effect…however fire danger high in however fire danger high in much of northern Louisiana…much of northern Louisiana…and low to moderate across and low to moderate across most of TX/OK/AR portions of most of TX/OK/AR portions of CWA.CWA.

Climate prediction center has Climate prediction center has predicted a spring outlook of predicted a spring outlook of near normal precipitation…and near normal precipitation…and above normal temperatures…above normal temperatures…based largely on La Nina based largely on La Nina pattern. A progressive weather pattern. A progressive weather pattern seen for at least next pattern seen for at least next couple of weeks…indicating no couple of weeks…indicating no heavy rainfall events. heavy rainfall events.

Tornado SurveyTornado SurveyCity of Clarksville, TX in Red City of Clarksville, TX in Red

River CountyRiver County

Roughly two Roughly two dozens homes dozens homes and businesses and businesses damaged.damaged.

Tornado rated Tornado rated a low end EF1 a low end EF1 with winds of with winds of 80 – 90 MPH.80 – 90 MPH.

Tornado was Tornado was on the ground on the ground for 11 miles for 11 miles and and approximately approximately 20 minutes, 20 minutes, with a forward with a forward speed of speed of around 30 around 30 mph… mph… reaching a reaching a maximum maximum width of 225 width of 225 yards.yards.

NEXT CONFERENCE CALL:

Thursday 10 AM (regular briefing)Thursday 10 AM (regular briefing)

Unless otherwise notedUnless otherwise noted

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National Weather Service Shreveport, LouisianaNational Weather Service Shreveport, Louisiana