Weekly Weather Summary: 9-15 Nov 2009

Barry Keim/ State Climatologist / keim@lsu.edu

(Based on preliminary reports received from approximately
120 NWS Cooperative sites from across the state)

...Tropical Storm Ida Brushes Southeast LA...

The week opened on 9 November with Hurricane Ida in the Gulf of Mexico and it was moving toward the north-central Gulf Coast. At the same time, there was an area of disturbed weather in the western Gulf that produced some rains across southwestern Louisiana. On the morning of the 10^th, Tropical Storm Ida made landfall near Mobile, Alabama, though it produced some rains in extreme southeastern Louisiana. The storm's easterly winds also produced a surge as high as 5.5 feet at Shell Beach in St. Bernard Parish. Furthermore, a cold front made its way through the State the same day. High pressure then moved into the region on the 11^th, which persisted through the 15^th. As a result, there was only one front that affected the State, and it came through dry.

For the week, Statewide precipitation averaged 0.1 inches, which was 1.1 inches below normal. Similar to last week, the only substantive rains fell in the southeastern third of the State, and the totals were low. Soil moisture remains adequate in most Parishes, though lawns and gardens are drying out. Louisiana's temperature averaged 62°F, which was 2°F above normal.