Updated November 2, 2026 • 2:55 p.m. CST
Rain and thunderstorms could affect Louisiana on Election Day, with National Weather Service forecasters watching the potential for damaging winds and heavy rainfall as a cold front moves across the state.
The timing varies by region. Forecasts place the main line of storms entering the ArkLaTex from the northwest between midnight and daybreak Tuesday, November 3, spreading through northern Louisiana during the day. Parts of southern and eastern Louisiana could see the main effects Tuesday night into Wednesday.
In its 11:37 a.m. CST Monday forecast, the National Weather Service in Shreveport said the front would move through northwest Louisiana during the day Tuesday. Isolated strong to severe storms and heavy rain remained possible, although cloud cover could limit storm development. Rain could linger in the southeastern part of the office’s forecast area until around midnight Tuesday night.
In its 2 p.m. CST Monday forecast, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles said the front could reach a line from Alexandria to Lake Charles as early as 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, then Acadiana between 10 p.m. and midnight. Scattered showers and storms could develop earlier in the day. Strong wind gusts remained a concern, and a brief tornado could not be ruled out. Storms were expected to weaken as they reached Acadiana late in the evening. Heavy rainfall could cause flooding on streets with poor drainage.
For southeast Louisiana, the National Weather Service in New Orleans and Baton Rouge said in its 12:36 p.m. CST Monday discussion that the severe weather threat Tuesday night was very low. Most activity was expected to be light to moderate rain showers, with one or two stronger storms possible mainly in southwest Mississippi. The front was expected to move through Wednesday morning, followed by improving conditions that afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Jackson, which serves northeast Louisiana, continued to forecast a low risk of severe storms in its 1:50 p.m. CST Monday discussion. Strong winds were the main concern as storms moved through Tuesday afternoon and into the night, and weak tornadoes could not be ruled out. Heavy rain could cause isolated flash flooding in low lying or urban areas, with the concern focused mainly on the Delta. The office expected the system to clear by Wednesday.
Those forecasts do not mean every parish will experience severe weather, or that storms will arrive everywhere at the same time. The outlook could change as the system develops.
Louisiana polls are scheduled to be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Secretary of State. Voters making plans for the day should check the forecast for their location closer to Tuesday rather than rely on a single statewide arrival time.
Accurate Parish Reporting is not a meteorologist. We share information from sources such as the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center.