Laura losing tropical characteristics, gives us rain & storms Saturday

The storm brought catastrophic storm surge, extreme wind and flash flooding to Louisiana Thursday

Radar

5:00 a.m. Friday Update

ROANOKE, Va. – The National Hurricane Center issued its last update on Tropical Depression Laura. The storm is losing tropical characteristics, but it will still affect our weather a bit Saturday. We have a full breakdown of the timing and possible impacts in another article.

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11:00 p.m. Thursday Update

Laura weakened to a tropical depression over Arkansas, but the flood threat continues.

As of 11 p.m., Laura was about 30 miles NNE of Little Rock, Arkansas. Laura is moving NNE at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.


8:00 p.m. Thursday Update

Tropical Storm Laura continues to produce flooding rainfall over portions of Arkansas.

As of 8 p.m., Laura was about 35 miles south of Little Rock, Arkansas. Laura is moving NNE at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

Once Laura reaches sustained winds less than 39 mph, it will be classified as a tropical depression. This is expected to happen this evening or overnight.


5:00 p.m. Thursday Update

Laura has weakened to tropical storm strength with sustained winds of 50 mph, gusting upwards of 65 mph. The tropical storm continues to track to the north-northeast at 15 mph tonight.

Once Laura reaches sustained winds less than 39 mph, it will be classified as a tropical depression. This is expected to happen this evening or overnight.


11:00 a.m. Thursday Update

Laura continues to weaken this morning, now a Category 1 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 75 mph and are gusting up to 90 mph. The hurricane currently resides in northwestern Louisiana and is tracking north at 16 mph. Tropical Storm and Hurricane warnings remain in effect throughout east Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

While Laura weakens, the hurricane remains a threat to those in Louisiana and Arkansas. Tornado warnings have been issued on the eastern side of the storm, with more expected throughout the day.


8:00 a.m. Thursday Update

Since Thursday morning’s landfall, Laura has weakened to a Category 2 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds around the center are still estimated to be around 100 mph. Hurricane warnings extend as far north as Shreveport with Tropical Storm warnings as far north as Little Rock.


2:00 a.m. Thursday Update

The National Hurricane Center says that Laura made landfall as a high-end Category 4 hurricane near Cameron, Louisiana early Thursday morning. Maximum sustained winds around the storm’s eye wall are estimated to be around 150 mph.

Landfall stats from Hurricane Laura

“Catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding” continue throughout the early hours in the Bayou State.


11:00 p.m. Wednesday Update

“Extremely dangerous” Hurricane Laura is closing in on the northwest Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 11 p.m., Laura is about 75 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana and about 75 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. Laura has maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and is moving NNW at 15 mph.

Laura is expected to bring catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.


8:00 p.m. Wednesday Update

Hurricane Laura continues toward the northwest Gulf Coast, bringing catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding.

As of 8 p.m., Laura is about 120 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana and about 120 miles SSE of Port Arthur, Texas. Laura has maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Laura is moving NNW at 15 mph.


5:00 p.m. Wednesday Update

Wind and water levels are increasing as “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Laura approaches the northwest Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. Laura will bring catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds and flash flooding along the northwest Gulf Coast Wednesday night.

As of 5 p.m., Laura is about 155 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana and about 155 miles SSE of Port Arthur, Texas. Laura has maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. Laura is moving northwest at 15 mph.


2:00 p.m. Wednesday Update

The National Hurricane Center says that Hurricane Hunter aircraft observed Category 4 strength winds around the eye of Laura. It’s sustained winds are estimated to be around 140 mph. The storm will make landfall Wednesday night as a Category 4 storm near the Texas-Louisiana line.


11:00 a.m. Wednesday Update

The National Hurricane Center says Laura has maximum winds of 125 mph around the center of the storm, making it a strong, Category 3 hurricane. It is forecast to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane later in the day. “Life-threatening” storm surge is expected to reach 30 miles inland in parts of Louisiana.


8:00 a.m. Wednesday Update

As of Wednesday’s 8 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Laura has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane. The current forecast has it strengthening even more in the warm Gulf waters to Category 4 status before landfall late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning.

Hurricane Warnings and Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued in advance of Laura’s landfall. Life-threatening storm surge, along with dangerous wind and flash flooding are all concerns for these areas.

Warnings issued for parts of Texas and Louisiana ahead of Laura

For us, we expect the system to weaken into a Tropical Depression before moving through the region Saturday. This will likely mean 1-3″ of rain in parts of the area, along with some gusty winds at times Saturday. A rotating storm or two cannot be ruled out in the afternoon.

Local impacts from Laura's leftovers Saturday

More info on the storm’s local impact can be found here.

Stay with Your Local Weather Authority for updates by downloading our app.


About the Authors:

Meteorologist Chris Michaels is an American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcaster, forecasting weather conditions in southwest Virginia on WSLS 10 News from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays on Virginia Today.