A high chance of showers and thunderstorms is in Southwest Louisiana’s forecast this weekend with damaging wind gusts and tornadoes possible.

“It will be a beautiful Mardi Gras day, but this weekend is going to be stormy,” said Nick Slaughter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office.

Slaughter said weekend rainfall amounts could range from 0.5 to 2 inches with a slight risk of excessive rainfall along and north of Interstate 10 and U.S. 190.

The showers are expected to start at about noon on Saturday and continue through noon on Sunday. Temperatures both days are expected in the low- to mid-70s.

There are chances for some minor river flooding, however, elevated stream flows within stream banks are more likely, Slaughter said.

A cold front is expected to end the precipitation late Sunday night and bring cooler and drier air across the region for the remainder of the Mardi Gras festivities. The highs on Fat Tuesday are expected to be in the low 50s to mid-60s.