SW La.’s eclipse forecast cloudy, wet
Published 4:24 pm Friday, April 5, 2024
Those who hope to witness Monday’s total solar eclipse may see the sun obscured by clouds and rainfall instead of by the moon.
A series of low-pressure systems are expected to move across the region next week, creating widespread showers and thunderstorms in Southwest Louisiana.
National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Marti Calhoun said the storms are expected to last from Sunday night to Thursday.
“We’ll see three back-to-back days with severe thunderstorm chances Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” Calhoun said. “On top of severe weather, multiple rounds of rainfall may result in flooding concerns north of Interstate 10 each day.”
Forecast rainfall totals from Sunday through Thursday are 2 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts.
Clouds could also limit solar eclipse viewing on Monday.
Calhoun said Lake Charles is forecast to have 77 percent cloud coverage between 1-2 p.m. Monday during the solar eclipse; Cameron is expected to have 74 percent cloud coverage and DeRidder 75 percent. Leesville is expected to be a 66 percent.