The music is pumping and the food is flowing at Festival International de Louisiane. Revelers can expect warm weather and some rain over the weekend.
Overall, temperatures will rise to the low- to mid-80s and there is a chance of showers Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon, said Cameron Kowalski, a forecast meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles. And while there will be a good mix of clouds, there will be some breaks for the sun to shine.
So pack an umbrella and sunscreen before heading out the door to enjoy the 40th anniversary of Festival International.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect as of Thursday morning.
Thursday: Warm, possible isolated shower
Temperatures on Thursday are expected to remain mild and comfortable, Kowalski said. They’re forecast to rise to about 80 degrees by 5 p.m. before dropping to the lower 70s by midnight, Kowalski said.
While there is some chance of rain during the day, that decreases dramatically by the time musicians take to the stage at 6 p.m. Perception chances decrease to near zero by 5 p.m. But there is still a chance for an isolated shower before 7 p.m.
Festival International de Louisiane will be running on all cylinders in downtown Lafayette t…
Friday: Possible thunderstorms
Friday could bring some thunderstorms as the NWS predicts a slim chance of severe weather associated with a low-pressure system organizing over northern Texas that is forecast to draw in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
There’s a 20% to 30% chance of rainfall with the possibility of heavier pockets of rain in the early evening on Friday, Kowalski said. That system brings a marginal risk of severe weather, including the possibility of damaging winds and hail.
“While it's not a guaranteed washout or anything, it's always a good idea to carry an umbrella,” he said.
Temperatures will be warmer Friday, rising to the mid-80s and dropping to the mid-70s by 9 p.m. The humidity will also rise in the evening, making it feel a little muggy.
Saturday: Afternoon showers, warmer temperatures
Saturday will also bring warmer temperatures, with the highs reaching the mid-80s before dropping after 5 p.m. to the mid-70s by about midnight.
There is a chance of rain in the afternoon on Saturday. The forecast predicts a 30% to 40% chance of rain, Kowalski said.
Sunday: Dry and warm
Sunday should be “fairly dry” with little confidence for rainfall, Kowalski said.
“All in all, it looks like Sunday is probably going to be the quietest day as far as precipitation goes,” he said.
But it’ll be warmer on Sunday with temperatures reaching the upper-80s and some locations reaching 90 degrees. Once the humidity begins to increase in the afternoon, it may feel warmer because of the heat index, Kowalski said.