Isolated Severe Storms Thursday in the Deep South

news image
Top Stories
20 May 2021 3:30 PM
Isolated severe storms including a few brief spin-up tornadoes are possible today in Louisiana, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. This comes along with some small-scale low pressure systems and favorable low level wind change with height.

Severe Outlook

A marginal risk (category 1 out of 5) is in effect denoting the potential for isolated severe storms. Wind gusts of 30-40 mph are possible along with a brief spin-up tornado. Heavy rainn will be ongoing as humid air from the Gulf of Mexico streams north. Brief spin-ups are the primary threat today during the afternoon and early evening.

Forecast

Heavy rain will be ongoing through the morning and early afternoon.  By mid-afternoon though as temperatures start to heat up, iolated storms will be able to form from east Texas into Louisiana and Oklahoma. Without much steering in the upper atmosphere, rain and storms will move from south to north and train over much of the same areas through the afternoon and early evening. This means multiple rounds of storms are possible especially along the I-49 corridor in Louisiana. Spin-up tornadoes will be the primary threat, but a few strong wind gusts are possible too. The intensity of storms will diminish overnight, but there's enough energy and moisture to keep heavy rain and a few thunderstorms around. While most storms will remain weak, a brief spin-up will be possible overnight. This will mainly be in central Louisiana and Arkansas.  Waterspouts forming in the Gulf may try to move on shore in Louisiana. We will continue to keep an eye on these storms, we're always streaming 24/7 on WeatherNation to keep you safe when a severe storm hits.
All Weather News
More
Fire Weather Continues This Weekend

Fire Weather Continues This Weekend

Conditions have been really dry out west. We'

26 Jul 2026 10:40 AM
Heat Wave Grips Central, Western U.S.

Heat Wave Grips Central, Western U.S.

Are you over the summer heat yet? The heat al

26 Jul 2026 10:35 AM
Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Will Become a Major Hurricane

Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Will Become a Major Hurricane

Atlantic BasinBertha has dissipated after mov

26 Jul 2026 10:35 AM
Severe Storms Target the Midwest This Weekend

Severe Storms Target the Midwest This Weekend

Extreme heat will be a big story this week ac

26 Jul 2026 10:30 AM
Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

A stalled boundary over the Southeast will ke

25 Jul 2026 10:55 AM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Tuesday brought severe weather again across p

23 Jul 2026 1:15 AM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper-level low train continues to keep t

21 Jul 2026 1:45 AM