Six Active Tornado Warnings Stretch Across Louisiana as Violent Squall Line Pushes Toward Mississippi River Overnight

LOUISIANA — A dangerous line of severe storms is sweeping across the state tonight, triggering six active tornado warnings from just south of Lake Arthur northward past Marksville, as a fast-moving squall line races east toward the Mississippi River.

Radar imagery and storm reports indicate this is a QLCS (Quasi-Linear Convective System) tornado event, meaning tornadoes are embedded within a larger line of thunderstorms rather than forming as isolated supercells. These setups can produce brief but intense tornadoes with little lead time — especially after dark.

Tornado Warnings Clustered from Lake Arthur to Marksville

The most intense portion of the storm line currently extends from Lake Arthur through Eunice, Ville Platte, Oakdale, Glenmora, Alexandria, Ball, and Marksville.

Multiple warning polygons are stacked along this corridor, indicating rotating segments embedded within the squall line. Frequent lightning and intense reflectivity signatures on radar suggest strong wind fields capable of producing:

• Brief spin-up tornadoes
• Damaging straight-line winds
• Torrential rainfall
• Rapidly changing visibility

The northern cluster of warnings near Alexandria and Marksville is expected to approach the Mississippi River within the next hour, raising concerns for communities along and east of the river.

Mesoscale Discussion Highlights 95% Watch Probability

The Storm Prediction Center’s Mesoscale Discussion #78 earlier indicated:

• Tornado watch likely
• Watch probability: 95%
• Most probable peak tornado intensity: 100–130 mph
• Damaging wind potential: 65–80 mph

Forecasters noted a downstream tornado watch would likely be issued as storms progressed eastward, and conditions clearly evolved to support that expectation.

The combination of strong low-level wind shear and embedded “kinks” within the line is creating favorable conditions for rotating segments — the hallmark of QLCS tornado events.

Overnight Progression Toward Mississippi and Alabama

High-resolution forecast radar suggests the line will continue moving east overnight.

The current trajectory indicates:

• Storms crossing the Mississippi River shortly
• Advancing toward western Mississippi overnight
• Reaching southwest Alabama between 4:00–5:00 AM

While the overall severe threat may gradually weaken eastward due to limited instability and less favorable lapse rates, localized damaging winds and isolated tornadoes remain possible until the line fully loses organization.

For Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama, the severe threat appears lower, with primarily heavy rain and embedded thunder expected. The broader Alabama region is forecast to see mostly rain with occasional thunder and minimal severe risk.

Why QLCS Events Are Dangerous

Unlike long-track supercell tornadoes, QLCS tornadoes:

• Develop quickly
• Often occur at night
• May last only minutes
• Can be difficult to visually confirm

Because they are embedded in a fast-moving squall line, warnings may be issued rapidly with limited time to react.

Residents in warned areas should:

• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor
• Stay away from windows
• Have multiple ways to receive alerts
• Avoid traveling during active warnings

What Happens Next

The most immediate concern remains across central and eastern Louisiana as the warning cluster shifts east. Communities along and just west of the Mississippi River should stay alert through the next hour as the line approaches.

After midnight, attention shifts toward Mississippi and southwest Alabama, where storms will gradually weaken but still require monitoring.

This remains a fast-evolving situation.

WaldronNews.com will continue tracking this severe weather event overnight. If you are in Louisiana, Mississippi, or southwest Alabama, stay weather-aware and follow local emergency management guidance.