A strong disturbance and cold front is expected to impact eastern Texas and Southwest Louisiana, starting late Wednesday into Thursday. Officials with the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles said Monday that it could produce severe storms, including hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.

The National Weather Service Lake Charles website states there is a 40 percent chance of rain Wednesday, with wind gusts as high as 30 miles per hour. Thursday’s forecast indicates a 70 percent chance of rain, with wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Donato said it’s too early to say when and where the greatest risk for severe weather lies. The frontal system is expected to make its way into parts of eastern Texas late Wednesday and into Southwest, central and South central Louisiana by early to mid Thursday.

“We do have high pressure in the area,” he said. “As these frontal systems come through this time of year, there can be potential for severe weather. It’s a bit far out, so there is some uncertainty of risks.”

A statement from the National Weather Service Lake Charles office stated that there is more confidence in how the disturbance will impact areas that are more inland from the Gulf coast.