Spring showers herald season change

The meteorological spring began March 1, said Shreveport National Weather Service Meteorologist Brandi Richardson, and the season is getting started with showers expected to last through the weekend.

“For this area, we’re looking at most likely above normal temperatures, on average, for the three month spring period,” Richardson said. “Most likely above normal temperatures and maybe just slightly above normal precipitation for this spring.”

Rain is forecast throughout the week and Richardson said Union County residents should expect above average temperatures. As the week goes on, there could be a couple of strong storms, Richardson said, particularly as we move toward the weekend.

“It’s really kind of an unsettled weather pattern, so we’re not going to have any big changes,” Richardson said. “We’re still trying to get a good handle on exactly what’s going to happen towards the weekend, but it looks like it’s going to be kind of wet … We can’t rule out the possibility of maybe some heavy rain.”

Spring will also bring higher than average temperatures and precipitation, Richardson said. She noted that April, historically the month that tornadoes are most likely to take place in, will most likely be the prime time for severe weather this year.

“Just be thinking about severe weather plans and having a NOAA-powered radio (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) or some other battery-powered way of receiving information and being ready whenever something like that does happen,” she said.

With a wet winter behind us, those with allergies should also prepare for the coming onslaught of pollen.

“That’s kind of out of our area of expertise, but I think that’s probably a safe bet; as wet as it was this winter, they’re (plants are) going to have all the moisture they need to be able to grow.”