A flood watch is in effect through Friday as excessive rainfall is forecast across Southwest Louisiana.

The National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office said showers and storms are expected as a result of a front that is draping itself across the region. That mixed with an area of low pressure and a moisture-rich environment is creating the perform combination for excessive rainfall.

Rain chances for Thursday and Friday are about 90 percent.

A cool front is expected to move into the area Friday, bringing drier air and below-normal temperatures. Weekend temperatures are expected to dip into the low 80s in the afternoon and drop even further into the mid-60s during the evening hours.

“Thursday is looking quite wet and some games may be delayed due to lightning,” meteorologist Donald Jones said. “By Friday evening, most of the rain should be clear of the area as a cold front pushes through. The good news is the combination of clouds, rain and frontal boundary should keep temperatures tolerable for both athletes and spectators.”

Tropical weather outlook

The National Hurricane Center has its eyes on three tropical waves in the Atlantic Basin.

The first wave is moving quickly westward across the Caribbean Sea and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The NHC is giving the wave a 30 percent chance of formation over the next week.

It is still a bit early to determine impacts, if any, to the local area, the National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office reports.

The second wave over the Atlantic has a 10 percent chance of formation through the next 48 hours and through the next seven days. By the end of the week, environmental conditions are expected to become unfavorable for development, the NHC reports.

A third tropical wave over the far eastern Atlantic has a 10 percent chance of formation over the next 48 hours and a 20 percent chance of formation through the next seven days as it moves slowly northwest.