Severe Weather Forecast For Mardi Gras Weekend In Louisiana

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Forecasters with the National Weather Service have been fine-tuning a very important weekend forecast for South Louisiana. There will be a threat of severe weather in South Louisiana during the afternoon and evening hours of Saturday, which will extend into the early morning hours of Sunday. However, the heavier showers and potential storms are expected to hold off until later Saturday night, allowing most Mardi Gras activities to proceed as planned.

Why it matters

Severe weather during Mardi Gras weekend could disrupt the many parades, festivals, and other events scheduled across South Louisiana. However, the latest forecasts suggest the worst of the storms will arrive after most of the festivities have concluded, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the celebrations with minimal weather-related disruptions.

The details

The Storm Prediction Center has placed almost all of Louisiana at a "marginal risk" for severe storms on Saturday. Residents of north Louisiana will likely feel the effects of the approaching storm system earlier in the day than those along the I-10 corridor. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles now suggests the heavier rain and potential storms will hold off until after 9 pm on Saturday, allowing most Mardi Gras activities to proceed as planned.

• The threat of severe weather will extend into the early morning hours of Sunday, February 15, 2026.
• The heavier showers and potential storms are expected to hold off until after 9 pm on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

What’s next

The National Weather Service has created hour-by-hour forecasts for specific Mardi Gras events in the Acadiana region, so residents and visitors can check the expected weather conditions for the events they plan to attend.