542
FXUS64 KLCH 181112
AFDLCH

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
612 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A Heat Advisory will be in effect from CenLA to southern
  Acadiana from 12PM to 8PM.

- An upper level ridge will remain in place keeping afternoon
  highs above normal.

- No appreciable rainfall accumulation is expected through the
  next seven days.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Today through Monday)
Issued at 1248 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Little to no overall change in the pattern. At the surface, high
pressure is centered over the Gulf, where it is expected to
meander for several days. This will maintain southerly to
southwesterly flow, keeping moisture in place. Aloft, a broad
ridge stretching across the Southwest through the Gulf Coast
states will persist. As has been the story for the last few days,
above average temperatures will continue. A combination of high
temperatures and elevated dewpoints has led to another Heat
Advisory this afternoon and evening across the eastern third of
the CWA. Drier air mixing down will help keep heat index values
lower across the western CWA, keeping them below hazard criteria.
While confidence in an area wide Heat Advisory remains low, heat
precautions should still be taken.

Going into the middle to latter half of the week, the upper ridge
will be shunted slightly westward as a broad trough sags southward
into the Deep South. While this feature will only bring a few
degrees of relief, it could trigger isolated convection,
especially along the coast and across eastern portions of the CWA.
Any relief will be short lived, however, as guidance indicates the
ridge building back over the region from the weekend into early
next week.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 610 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Light winds around 5-10 kts mainly out of the SW and mostly clear
skies will prevail throughout the forecast period. No deviations
from VFR are expected.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1248 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Surface high pressure over the northwest Gulf will keep winds
light out of the southwest through the forecast period, generally
no more than 5-12 kt, with seas around 1-2 ft. High pressure aloft
will keep rain chances near zero through much of the week. Some
isolated shower activity may return by this weekend, with greater
chances further east.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1248 AM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026

Hot conditions are expected across the CWA through the forecast
period, with POPs nearly zero through midweek. Daily RH minimum
values will range from 35 to 50 percent across the area this week.
Surface high pressure over the northern Gulf will keep winds light
out of the southwest through the period. With very little to no
rainfall expected for the duration of this forecast period,
worsening drought and fire weather conditions could be possible.

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     LAZ028-029-032-033-044-045-055-143-152>154-243-252>254.

TX...None.
GM...None.
&&

$$

PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...87
AVIATION...17