Baton Rouge Weather Radar

Baton Rouge Live Weather

Baton Rouge Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Baton Rouge cloud cover radar map and the Baton Rouge precipitation radar map.

Baton Rouge Hourly Weather Forecast

Baton Rouge 7-Day Weather Forecast

Baton Rouge Weather Overview

Baton Rouge sits along the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana, where warm Gulf of Mexico moisture drives a humid subtropical climate with heavy rainfall year-round. The NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge office (WFO LIX) in Slidell monitors the capital region, which averages roughly 62 inches of rain per year — among the highest totals of any major U.S. city. The Baton Rouge weather radar is essential for tracking storms that roll through this flood-prone metro area.

Hurricane season runs June through November and carries the highest stakes. Hurricane Gustav (2008) pushed destructive winds across the metro, forcing 1.9 million evacuations. But the worst modern disaster was not a named storm at all — the August 2016 flood dumped over 30 inches of rain in 48 hours, damaging 146,000 homes and causing $8.7 billion in losses across the region. Baton Rouge doppler weather radar showed the rainfall bands stalling directly over the city for days. Monitoring the radar during tropical events remains the fastest way to see where flooding is building.

Beyond hurricanes, severe thunderstorms bring damaging winds, large hail, and occasional tornadoes from spring into early fall. Summer heat indices regularly exceed 100°F for weeks at a stretch. The Baton Rouge weather radar helps residents track fast-moving storm cells and plan around the afternoon downpours that define Louisiana summers.

Baton Rouge Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Baton Rouge weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

Tropical cyclones can affect Baton Rouge when their tracks bring strong winds and heavy rain into the area. Seasonal timing and peak activity vary by ocean basin, so follow official tropical weather outlooks and local advisories. On the radar, you can track the storm's center, rain bands, and changes in precipitation as it approaches. Keep your emergency plan current and follow local guidance when a tropical storm or hurricane threatens Baton Rouge.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flooding can develop quickly in Baton Rouge when slow-moving thunderstorms produce intense rain. Low-lying areas and roads with poor drainage can become dangerous while rain is still falling. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Baton Rouge regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Baton Rouge, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Extreme Heat Risk

Summers in Baton Rouge get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.

How to Use Baton Rouge Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Baton Rouge weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions

Look at the weather status bar at the top of the Baton Rouge radar page. It shows temperature, humidity, wind speed, and current conditions — important when Gulf moisture is pushing heat indices past 100°F.

Watch the Radar Map

The Baton Rouge doppler weather radar shows precipitation and cloud cover moving across the capital region. Hit play on the animation to see which direction storms are tracking and whether rainfall is stalling over your area.

Review the Forecast

Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast. During hurricane season from June through November, check daily for any tropical activity approaching from the Gulf that could affect the Baton Rouge metro.

Plan Around the Weather

Afternoon thunderstorms are routine in Baton Rouge summers. Use the radar to time outdoor plans between storm cells, and bookmark this page for quick access when severe weather warnings are issued.

Who Benefits from Baton Rouge Weather Radar

How different people use the Baton Rouge radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check radar before driving I-10 or I-12 — spot flooding and storm cells on your route across the metro.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Runners and cyclists on the Baton Rouge Levee Bike Path — see incoming storms 30 minutes out.

Event Planners & Families

Planning events at Tiger Stadium or Raising Cane's River Center? Radar shows exactly when rain arrives.

Outdoor Workers

Construction and petrochemical crews — check radar before outdoor shifts. Gulf storms move in fast.

Baton Rouge Weather FAQ

Common questions about Baton Rouge weather patterns and radar

When is hurricane season in Baton Rouge?

Hurricane season in Baton Rouge runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity in August and September. The city's location along the Gulf Coast makes it vulnerable to both direct landfalls and inland flooding from tropical systems. Residents should finalize evacuation plans and emergency supplies before June each year.

How much rain does Baton Rouge get per year?

Baton Rouge averages about 62 inches of rainfall per year according to 1991-2020 NOAA climate normals. That makes it one of the wettest major cities in the United States. Most rainfall comes from Gulf moisture feeding intense summer thunderstorms and tropical systems, with a secondary peak during winter frontal passages moving through the region.

What was the worst flood in Baton Rouge history?

The August 2016 flood was the worst in modern history. An unnamed tropical disturbance dumped over 30 inches of rain in 48 hours, damaging 146,000 homes and causing an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in losses. East Baton Rouge Parish alone saw more than 48,000 structures affected. The Red Cross called it the worst U.S. natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy.

Does Baton Rouge get tornadoes?

Yes. Severe thunderstorms across the Baton Rouge metro produce occasional tornadoes, mainly from March through May when warm Gulf air collides with cooler northern fronts. Most are rated EF0 or EF1, though stronger tornadoes have struck the region. The radar shows rotation signatures inside storm cells, giving residents a few critical minutes to reach shelter.

How is this radar different from WBRZ or WAFB weather radar?

WBRZ and WAFB provide Baton Rouge radar alongside their broadcast forecasts and meteorologist commentary — useful during active severe weather events. This page offers a clean, ad-free interface with interactive RainViewer radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook for Baton Rouge. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes.

What type of climate does Baton Rouge have?

Baton Rouge has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and mild, wet winters. Average summer highs reach the low to mid 90s with heat indices frequently exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters rarely see freezing temperatures, though rare cold outbreaks like the February 2021 freeze can bring ice and subfreezing conditions to the region.