The Farmer's Forecast -- Feast or Famine Rainfall Across Louisiana

By Nick Mikulas

Louisiana Farm Bureau News/Cenla Weather

The rain has really been feast or famine across Louisiana, but it has taken the edge off the drought in many places. In some areas there has been a 2 category reduction in the drought. That’s confined to areas that saw 5-10 inches of rain from last week’s several day event. The crazy thing is, some parts of Rapides Parish saw 10 inches of rain, while 30 miles north in Grant Parish, there were areas that didn’t see an inch. It’s frustrating as a forecaster, and I can’t imagine what it must do to the farmers and ranchers. There is more rain on the way. Let’s hope it scatters itself in areas that need it most.

Rain chances will start to creep back into Louisiana by Sunday. I think the organized rain will hold off until Tuesday or Wednesday. Once the faucet turns on, it should at least bring periodic rain through next weekend. Some long range indicators argue for this somewhat unsettled pattern to last a couple weeks. So far, I don’t see a major severe threat, but late May warmth and instability can always provide a few damaging wind gusts. I’ll be watching it all, and you can now hear my forecasts on 21 radio stations across the state through The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network!