Southwest Louisiana has been running the gauntlet when it comes to weather lately — and there is more on the way.

“We’re going from freezing rains and freezing temperatures in the teens to now widespread rainfall and warm temperatures,” said National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Donald Jones. “From drought to freezing to flood. Never a dull moment in this region of the world.”

He said a warm front is draped over the area as a slow-moving, upper-level trough is making its way to Southwest Louisiana from the east — one of a a series of disturbances that will be moving through the area this week.

Average rainfall totals are expected to be between 4-6 inches during the week with Lake Charles having a 32 percent chance of receiving at least 5 inches.

“It’s not going to be constant all the way through Thursday, that’s the good news,” Jones said. “But as we begin to accumulate those rainfall totals, we’re looking at a chance for flooding beginning Tuesday evening.”

Jones said this long-duration event will “moisten up the soils” and eventually will begin to saturate the ground, creating runoff in area ditches and waterways.

He said a severe weather threat is in place for Tuesday with damaging winds and lightening likely and tornadoes possible.