National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding in the West; Heat Expands in the Central U.S.

Monsoonal moisture will produce showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of the Southwest, Great Basin, and Central Rockies through Monday. Flash flooding is possible, especially in and around burn scars and in areas of steep terrain. Heat will persist across the Central U.S. early this week, spreading into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic later this week. Read More >

FEBRUARY 3-4 2011 WINTER STORM

 

Overview

A strengthening upper level low over western Texas began to push east-northeast through Louisiana during the overnight hours of February 3rd and the morning of February 4th. Mid level moisture allowed for the development of light showers across the area on the morning of the 4th. While mid level temperatures remained above freezing, temperatures near the surface were running from 28-32 degrees, resulting in widespread winter precipitation.

Freezing rain mixing with sleet and snow developed across southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana on the morning of February 3rd, with some ice accumulations on elevated surfaces across south central Louisiana. All areas saw a changeover to freezing rain by the evening of February 3rd, with freezing rain continuing into the morning of February 4th. The hardest hit areas were across central Louisiana, including Alexandria and Ville Platte, which experienced nearly a quarter inch of ice accumulation from the freezing rain. Beaumont/Port Arthur saw around one tenth of an inch of ice accumulation, and one tenth of an inch of ice was also measured at the NWS office in Lake Charles. The entire region saw at least a trace of freezing rain which resulted in numerous road closures and car accidents (with 1 fatality), as well as widespread power outages affecting over 26,000 customers.

 

Local Storm Reports
List of all Local Winter Storm Reports for February 3-4 2011

 

Maps

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm Reports
Estimated Ice Accumulation

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm Reports
Winter Storm Reports

 

Pictures

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm
Alexandria, LA
photo courtesy of KALB-TV

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm
Alexandria, LA
photo courtesy of KALB-TV

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm
Lafayette, LA
photo courtesy of KATC-TV

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm
Lake Charles, LA
photo by Sam Shamburger, NWS LCH

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm
Beaumont, TX
photo courtesy of KBMT-TV

February 3-4, 2011 Ice Storm
Beaumont, TX
photo courtesy of KBMT-TV