St. Patrick's Day weekend weather: Rain, strong winds, tornado warning
Mar 14, 2025
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) -- Storms bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and a possible threat for tornadoes to Louisiana are expected for St. Patrick's Day weekend.
The Saturday severe weather threat forced the annual Wearin' of the Green St. Patrick's Day Parade and 5k run in Baton Roug
e to be rescheduled to noon Sunday. Click here for the latest and what to know before going to the parade.
A strong low-pressure system will move across the Baton Rouge area between Friday and Saturday. The Storm Prediction Center has the Baton Rouge area under a marginal risk (1/5) and a slight risk (2/5) for severe weather on Friday. For Saturday, the Baton Rouge area is under a moderate risk (4/5) for severe weather. A rare high risk (5/5) has been issued for parts of central Mississippi and Alabama.
Storms, strong winds on Friday and Saturday ⛈️
Isolated showers and thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and evening have the potential to become strong or severe. Strong thunderstorms could produce wind gusts up to 40 mph and 0.5" sized hail. Severe thunderstorms could produce wind gusts up to 58 mph, 1" sized hail and/or a tornado. Southerly winds will be around 15-20 mph, but wind gusts could reach 30 mph.
Friday's Severe Weather RisksFriday AfternoonFriday NightFriday Night
The timing for severe weather will likely be from Saturday mid-morning through the late afternoon. Thunderstorms will develop and move east by mid-morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging wind gusts up to 60+ mph, and tornadoes will all be possible. The entire Baton Rouge area and parts of the New Orleans area are under a moderate risk (4/5).
Saturday's Severe Weather RisksModerate Risk for Baton RougeSaturday MorningSaturday MorningSaturday Afternoon Saturday AfternoonSaturday Night
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Tornadoes, hail possible in Louisiana 🌪️
The Deep South is facing a significant severe weather event on Saturday. Strong, long-tracked tornadoes will be likely across eastern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Hail of at least one inch in size or larger and damaging wind gusts of at least 60+ mph will also be possible.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the area until 10 p.m.
Greater Chance for Strong TornadoesGreater Chance for Larger HailStrong Winds/Damaging Wind GustsSevere Thunderstorm CriteriaSevere Weather Hazards
Get prepared for severe weather 🔦
Make sure you know your safe place. The best place in your home is on the lowest level, away from doors and windows. Have a pillow to protect your head. In your emergency kit, you should have batteries, water, a weather radio, food for you and your pets and a flashlight.
Watch vs. warning: What's the difference?
Know the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means the ingredients are in place for severe weather to happen. There's still some time to prepare as a watch lasts for several hours. A warning means severe weather is already happening, and you only have minutes to finish preparing and should seek shelter immediately.
Watch vs. Warning
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Ways to get weather alerts 📲
Stay weather aware by having several ways to get alerts and the latest weather forecasts.
Watch NBC Local 33 and Fox 44.
Download free Louisiana First News apps.
Follow Louisiana First News and our weather team on social media.
Check Louisiana First News' website.
Listen to live coverage on the radio on local iHeartRadio stations.
Sunny, clear skies for Sunday ☀️
Sunday's weather is expected to be sunny and dry, with mostly clear skies. Morning lows will be in the low 50s. Cooler and drier air behind the cold front will help lower temperatures and dew points. It will feel nice and comfortable with lower humidity and highs in the low to mid-70s.
Sunday MorningSunday AfternoonEvening
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