Lafayette's Mardi Gras 2026: Rainy Weekend Ahead

Lafayette is bracing for a soggy Mardi Gras weekend in 2026. The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a forecast that includes showers and thunderstorms for both Saturday and Sunday. Some of these storms could be quite intense, with heavy rainfall and possibly severe weather. The good news is that the weather is expected to improve just in time for Lundi and Mardi Gras. This means that the main celebrations might not be affected by the rain. However, the weekend leading up to these days could be quite wet. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday. This means there is a 14% chance of damaging winds, hail, or even tornadoes. The heaviest rain is expected to fall between 6 p. m. Saturday and 3 a. m. Sunday. Rain is possible from noon on Saturday until 3 p. m. on Sunday. Lightning is not expected to be a major concern until midnight on Sunday.From Friday to Sunday, Lafayette and New Iberia could see between 0. 4 inches and 1 inch of rain, with a possible maximum of 1. 2 inches. Northern Louisiana might receive even more rain. Winds are expected to reach up to 20 mph, with the strongest gusts occurring during the same period as the heaviest rain. The weather could impact the parades scheduled for Saturday. The Youngsville parade is set to start at 11 a. m. , followed by the children's parade in Lafayette at 12:30 p. m. and the Krewe of Bonaparte parade at 6:30 p. m. Any changes to these parades will likely be announced by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association. This forecast serves as a reminder that Mardi Gras celebrations can be affected by weather. It is important for revelers to stay informed and be prepared for any changes that might occur.