Severe weather is possible across Southwest Louisiana Friday afternoon ahead of a cold front making its way to the area.

National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Donald Jones said even before the severe storms arrive, some power outages and downed tree branches will be possible from the strong winds expected.

Sustained winds of 20-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are forecast, he said.

He said the area has a 10-14 percent chance of seeing tornadoes and an up to 30 percent chance of receiving large hail.

“This means one inch or greater hail, about the diameter that causes severe property damage,” Jones said.

He said the area could experience some bouts of heavy rainfall, but flash flooding is not expected.

The storms will start moving through the area about noon on Friday.

“We’re not expecting a squall line of devastation like we normally do; these storms will be a little bit more broken,” he said.

Once the cold front comes through, there will be another severe weather risk on Sunday as a second frontal boundary system is expected to pull warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and move back into the area.

“After that, much of next week isn’t looking too bad,” Jones said, forecasting highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 50s.

“We shouldn’t complain too much about this cold weather because eventually it will be 95 degrees again and we’ll be begging for a freeze,” he said with a chuckle.