Temperatures will remain above normal and the risk of precipitation is low.

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The hot, dry weather won’t change for at least a few more days, but next week we could see our first real cold front!

Thursday and Friday should look similar to what we saw on Wednesday, with mostly sunny skies and little to no chance of rain. Temperatures will rise in the afternoon, reaching highs in the mid-90s and heat indices near 105! Areas south of the Intracoastal Waterway will not be as hot, but temperatures will still reach the upper 80s with heat indices near 100. Overall, the chance of rain is close to zero, although a very brief shower cannot be ruled out 100%. The reason for the hot and dry pattern is the upper level of high pressure over our area.

This warm, dry pattern will continue into the weekend, with little change in the forecast. So if you plan on getting outside, the heat will be your primary concern, with highs in the low to mid 90s and heat indices of 100-105! And rain seems unlikely, although a very brief afternoon shower can’t be ruled out.

Next week, the upper level of high pressure responsible for the heat will dissipate and a weak cold front may approach our area early in the week. At this point, it seems unlikely that this will change our weather, other than high temperatures dropping back down to normal for this time of year. The chance of precipitation will gradually increase next week as humidity increases.

Late next week could see the first real cold front of the season and a drop in temperatures! It’s worth mentioning though that this part of the forecast and what happens next weekend is very uncertain and could change. But if the front does make it here, we could see a better chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday and then a drop in temperatures late next week and next weekend.

This front COULD be a major player in the tropics next week, as most computer models show some sort of tropical system developing in the northwestern Caribbean Sea or southern Gulf of Mexico early next week. If indeed a cold front reaches the SWLA, it will push any potential tropical system to the east of our area. Even if the front does not reach, it will not significantly increase our risk. At this point, there is NOT even an area of ​​low pressure, it is just something that the models show as potentially developing. Until there is an actual system, there is no point in focusing on what any computer models show.

In conclusion, we are still in hurricane season and you should have a plan and know what to do if a system threatens our area. But for now, we will wait and see what happens. And now is a good time to remind you that many things are posted on social media, but they are rarely correct. You can count on the KPLC First Alert Weather Team to keep you informed, if there is a threat to our area, we will let you know. Otherwise, let’s hope a front comes through and we enjoy some cooler weather next week…

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