Local weather forecasters are growing more confident that  could produce flash flooding in southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette metros.
Most of the area now has a moderate risk of flash flooding Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The southernmost portion, including Houma and Morgan City, only has a slight risk of flash flooding.Â
The areas that will get the most rain may experience life-threatening floods that may necessitate high-water rescues Wednesday morning, according to the NWS.Â
In particular, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles have a slight risk of severe thunderstorms developing late Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Such storms could bring wind gusts over 58 mph, an isolated tornado or hail.
The rest of the area, including New Orleans, has a marginal threat of severe storms.
Heavy rain comingÂ
Rain is likely to continue after Tuesday, and most of the area can expect to get between 4 to 6 inches this week, with a low chance of some areas getting over 8 inches.Â
On Wednesday, there is a slight risk of heavy rain that could produce flash flooding across the region. As water drains into rivers later this week, there will be a minor risk of flash flooding that continues into the weekend.  Â
In Acadiana, between 3 to 8 inches could fall this week, with the NWS saying rain could be as high as 10 to 12 inches in some areas.
Where is the greatest threat?
While forecasters have high confidence that heavy rains capable of producing flash flooding are coming, they are less confident about where it will be heaviest, according to NWS forecasters.Â
The greatest threat of heavy rain Tuesday night will likely be along and north of the Interstate 10 corridor, including portions of the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas and coastal Mississippi.
Severe storms pose the greatest threat for locations adjacent to the Atchafalaya Basin, stretching east to metro Baton Rouge, according to NWS forecasters. Â
Here is the forecast through the weekend for New Orleans, according to the .
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Chance of rain is 60% The weather will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 81 degrees. In the evening, showers and thunderstorms are likely with a 70% chance of rain, mainly before 3 a.m. It will be cloudy, with a low around 71 degrees.
- Wednesday: Showers and possible thunderstorms. There will be a High near 79 degrees. The chance of rain is 90%. In the evening, showers and possible thunderstorms are likely, with a 70% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69 degrees.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms are possible, with a 90% chance of rain. High near 78 degrees. In the evening, showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69 degrees. Chance of rain is 60%.
- Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm are likely after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79 degrees. Chance of rain is 60%. In the evening, a 30% percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67 degrees.
- Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. In the evening, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65 degrees.
- Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79 degrees. The evening will be partly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees.Â
