Ben Terry
Meteorologist
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Ben Terry has been the morning and midday meteorologist at KPLC since 2011. A 2006 graduate of Mississippi State University's on-campus Broadcast Meteorologist program, Ben began his broadcast career nearly 15 years ago in Jackson, Mississippi. He then came to KPLC in 2011 to join the morning team on 7News Sunrise which has now expanded to FOX 29 with the morning news. When not on-air or forecasting the weather for Southwest Louisiana, Ben involves himself with numerous charitable organizations throughout Southwest Louisiana including the Ad and Press Club, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana and the Louisiana/Mississippi Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, founding a local support group for those coping with the diseases. Ben also enjoys visiting local schools to get young students interested in the sciences and meeting folks in the community by volunteering to emcee numerous charitable events across Southwest Louisiana during his off time. Over the years Ben has been a part of significant upgrades to the weather technology at KPLC with the addition of the Skycam network and latest WSI weather system, keeping Southwest Louisiana up to date with the latest and greatest forecasting and storm tracking technology. Keeping the residents of Southwest Louisiana safe from threatening weather is Ben's main mission, and the resources and technology available at KPLC make that possible with all of the social media platforms and mobile apps available for alerting the public. An active member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association, Ben currently served as past president of the Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana Chapter of the AMS/NWA and looks forward to attending the National Weather Association's annual meeting each fall. Ben is a resident of Lake Charles.
Education
Updated: 5 hours ago
|By Ben Terry
Warm and windy Friday. Even hotter on Saturday before rain and storms move in by Sunday.
Updated: Dec. 19, 2022 at 6:43 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
The biggest concern for this freeze is making sure your home and properties are prepared for hard freeze conditions beginning Thursday night as temperatures drop to between 15 and 20 degrees by Friday morning. We’ll likely stay below freezing all day Friday and not get back to above freezing until Saturday afternoon. This will be a period of approximately 36 to 40 hours of below freezing temperatures.
Updated: Jul. 5, 2022 at 6:28 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
Despite these high numbers, Southwest Louisiana was left with a needed break from a hurricane landfall which just goes to show it doesn’t matter how active the season is forecast to be, because it just takes one storm!
Updated: Jun. 8, 2022 at 6:01 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
Hopefully we enjoyed the rain we got last week because the trends continue to look drier and drier for Southwest Louisiana over the days ahead when it comes to rain chances. Initially the thought was a weak front would interact with the area by Saturday but that front won’t make it thanks to a relentless upper level ridge of high pressure. The closest storms get will be north and southeast Louisiana, bypassing our area with the only best chance of rain we would see. By next week, the upper-level ridge will rebuild and take away any hope of rain by early next week.
Updated: Apr. 13, 2022 at 10:29 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
We’ll be continuing to watch storms as they move through Southwest Louisiana during the evening hours. There is a slight risk that a couple of storms could produce some damaging wind gusts or even large hail which will be the primary threats of any severe weather we see here locally. The tornado threat remains higher in areas to our north. Storms should be through the entire area by midnight, leaving us with much quieter weather overnight. Temperatures will drop into the 50s by sunrise.
Updated: Sep. 23, 2021 at 12:31 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
With the arrival of fall along with a cool front that has brought the entire area cooler temperatures this morning, we’re off to a very pleasant start to the day with morning temperatures in the 50s and calm winds. Sunshine to start the morning will gradually warm temperatures up into the lower 80s this afternoon
Updated: Sep. 22, 2021 at 12:36 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
Plan for a dry day as you head out this morning as sunshine will be on the increase once we get rid of the leftover clouds this morning that trail the cold front. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM for winds out of the north at times gusting to 25 to 30 mph. These winds will continue to draw down the cooler drier air that will filter in through the day and especially tonight. Clear skies will send temperatures dropping quickly tonight and by early Thursday they will be down into the 50s.
Updated: May. 20, 2021 at 1:14 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
NOAA has released its 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast, calling for another above-average season.
Updated: Mar. 16, 2021 at 11:10 PM CDT
|By Ben Terry
There could be a few showers around tomorrow morning, but the bulk of the storms we’ll be tracking that could turn severe will be moving in by early afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center keeps Southwest Louisiana in a slight risk of severe weather tomorrow at a level 2 out of 5.
Updated: Feb. 27, 2021 at 6:42 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Sunday won’t be a whole lot different than today as a stalled front to our north keeps breezy south winds in place, plenty of clouds and temperatures climbing back into the lower to middle 70s during the afternoon. We could see a stray shower or two, especially late in the afternoon and evening.
Updated: Feb. 25, 2021 at 6:22 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures will remain on the mild side again this evening, not dropping out of the 60s overnight as another round of thick fog settles into the area through the evening and overnight.
FIRST ALERT FORECAST: Watch for more fog tonight with only a slim chance of rain through the weekend
Updated: Feb. 24, 2021 at 4:45 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
One thing of note is more fog is on the way tonight and will be a problem for most of Southwest Louisiana through the commute time on Thursday. Rain chances stay low though.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2021 at 4:52 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures through the evening will drop through the 50s and eventually into the 40s overnight as some ground fog could return as was the case earlier this morning for a brief time.
Updated: Feb. 21, 2021 at 5:36 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures warmed up quickly today despite the cloud cover our area saw through the day. Highs in the middle to upper 60s made for a good day to get outdoors. Into the evening, temperatures will remain milder with eventually a few showers moving in late tonight ahead of a weak front.
Updated: Feb. 20, 2021 at 10:49 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
The end to our stretch of bitterly cold arctic temperatures is here, with temperatures this evening dropping quickly after sunset, but clouds moving in after midnight will put a stop to our below freezing overnight lows.
Updated: Feb. 19, 2021 at 5:58 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Starting off on our Saturday, we’ll have the freezing temperatures give way to another full day of sunshine and steady warmup with highs well into the lower to middle 50s by afternoon. Continued thawing through the day and evening as lows are expected to remain above freezing Saturday night.
FIRST ALERT FORECAST: A couple more hard freezes the next couple of nights before a big weekend thaw
Updated: Feb. 18, 2021 at 5:03 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
The issue we’ll have tonight is another hard freeze with temperatures ranging from the lower 20s north to upper 20s farther south. A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect for all parishes except the coastal parishes for tonight through mid-morning Friday.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2021 at 5:44 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Unfortunately, we have one more round of wintry weather possible overnight into Thursday morning for our northern parishes, with some possibility of a light wintry mix as far south as I-10 before coming to an end by afternoon.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2021 at 11:11 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Initially, the precipitation type is expected to be freezing rain for our entire area that will begin to accumulate on bridges and overpasses first and as temperatures continue to fall through the 20s overnight, some surface roads will begin to see icy patches before sunrise Monday.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2021 at 11:08 AM CST
|By Wade Hampton and Ben Terry
We are still on track to see a high-impact winter weather event beginning tonight lasting through at least Tuesday!Today we will see off an on showers, mostly rain; but a little freezing rain is possible especially north of I-10. However by tonight most of this will transition to freezing rain.
Updated: Feb. 12, 2021 at 6:56 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
The heaviest of coats will continue to be needed this evening as we see temperatures fall into the 30s with wind chills into the 20s this evening and overnight. The good news is that radar looks clear and we will likely not see any additional showers around this evening.
Updated: Feb. 11, 2021 at 6:35 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Doppler radar remains quite active and off and on rain will persist into the evening and overnight hours as temperatures continue to hover in the 30s and 40s. We won’t be cold enough for any wintry precipitation tonight or tomorrow with highs back into the lower 40s for Friday.
Updated: Feb. 10, 2021 at 4:36 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
With temperatures today that flirted with 80, we’re in store for a full-on weather whiplash heading into Thursday. Not only will temperatures be dropping quickly tomorrow morning, rain will last most of the day that will add insult to the injury.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2021 at 10:39 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
While you’ll need a jacket to start the day tomorrow, a bigger warm-up is on the way for our Monday despite clouds that will thicken up through the day.
Updated: Feb. 6, 2021 at 10:42 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
For your Sunday, some clouds early in the day will give way to increasing sunshine through the afternoon with highs back into the lower 60s. We’ll certainly get more sun tomorrow than we had today and no rain in the forecast as we end the weekend.
Updated: Feb. 5, 2021 at 11:02 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Most of the showers have moved out of the area as of midnight, but a few additional showers will be possible into Saturday morning.
Updated: Feb. 4, 2021 at 4:27 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Unfortunately, there are more showers in the offing for our Friday later in the day as lingering Gulf moisture and clouds mixed with colder temperatures make for a raw day ahead tomorrow. Expect off and on light showers to move through during the day tomorrow with highs in the lower 50s
Updated: Feb. 3, 2021 at 4:37 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
By sunrise, temperatures are looking to warm into the upper 50s under mostly cloudy skies. This will be followed by a big increase in winds through the day. Southerly winds will become quite gusty by late morning and continue through the afternoon, at times gusting over 35 mph at times.
Updated: Jan. 31, 2021 at 10:51 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures will drop quickly once the sun sets into the 50s and 40s through the late evening and overnight. We’ll wake up to temperatures in the upper 30s to near 40 before sunrise Monday morning with another day of sunshine ahead to start the new workweek.
Updated: Jan. 30, 2021 at 10:33 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Showers move through Southwest Louisiana through this evening and into the overnight as our next cold front arrives. A blustery but sunny Sunday is on the horizon.
Updated: Jan. 28, 2021 at 4:38 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
You’ll want to give a couple of extra minutes to warm up the car tomorrow and may even notice some frost as lows fall into the lower to middle 30s across the area. Clear skies and calmer winds overnight will make frost a possibility.
Updated: Jan. 27, 2021 at 4:47 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Winds will become less gusty through the evening and overnight as temperatures drop quickly this evening into the 50s and 40s. Many spots will wake up tomorrow with lows in the middle to upper 30s under partly cloudy skies.
Updated: Jan. 24, 2021 at 10:55 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Rain chances begin to increase through the morning hours on Monday as our next cold front moves closer to the area.
Updated: Jan. 23, 2021 at 6:59 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
We’ll begin to see the chance of rain increasing closer to midnight as some passing showers begin to move inland from the Gulf. These light quick passing showers will continue through the morning hours of Sunday.
Updated: Jan. 22, 2021 at 4:43 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Rain chances look to stay low through the day on Saturday despite the lack of sunshine. Overcast skies through the day will keep temperatures slightly cooler tomorrow with highs in the lower 60s.
Updated: Jan. 21, 2021 at 4:49 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures won’t budge much this evening and it’s also possible the light drizzle and mist could slightly lower the visibility a bit. Expect more rain through the evening and especially overnight as a front moves closer to our area.
Updated: Jan. 20, 2021 at 4:41 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
We’ll likely see lows dropping into the middle to upper 50s before midnight before warming a few degrees overnight. One thing we’ll have to watch out for tonight is fog, and it’s already been a problem for coastal areas.
Updated: Jan. 17, 2021 at 10:39 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Warmer southerly winds in combination with sunshine will make for a perfect day to be outdoors on your Martin Luther King Jr. Day. While temperatures start off on the chilly side, they warm up quickly with highs tonight in the middle 60s.
Updated: Jan. 16, 2021 at 6:34 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Lows tonight will again be in the lower to middle 30s, but frost won’t be a guarantee thanks to extremely dry air in place that may displace temperatures from the dew point just enough to prevent frost from forming.
Updated: Jan. 15, 2021 at 4:45 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures fall a bit lower tonight, especially if winds do calm enough, with lows for Lake Charles around 35 with as low as 33 for our northern parishes first thing Saturday. These breezes may be enough to keep any sort of widespread frost out of the area tonight.
Updated: Jan. 14, 2021 at 4:33 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Through the day on Friday, you’ll want to keep that jacket as temperatures start off around 40 but only warm into the 50s through the afternoon. That’s with an abundance of sunshine to go along.
Updated: Jan. 13, 2021 at 5:56 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Through the day on Thursday, another weak front will move closer to the area, expected to move through during the evening hours. Ahead of this front, one of the warmest days we’ll get to enjoy over the next ten will be in store with highs in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees.
Updated: Jan. 7, 2021 at 6:08 AM CST
|By Ben Terry
While some spots could seek a peek or two of sunshine right at sunrise, clouds will quickly build back in through the day, limiting the warm-up to highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Winds will remain rather gusty as well which will mean a coat day all day.
Updated: Dec. 31, 2020 at 12:35 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Make sure to have a way to receive severe weather alerts today as storms could quickly turn severe.
Updated: Dec. 30, 2020 at 5:08 AM CST
|By Ben Terry
Make sure to grab your rain gear before heading out as additional showers will continue popping up through the morning and afternoon hours.
Updated: Dec. 29, 2020 at 12:32 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
Today should be very similar to Monday weatherwise with more sunshine returning mixed with a few clouds at times. Highs this afternoon top out in the lower 70s.
Updated: Dec. 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM CST
|By Ben Terry
Temperatures are much warmer to start the workweek with patchy areas of fog that could develop through sunrise, otherwise look for a quiet morning for the commute and no need for the rain gear today despite some clouds. Its back to short sleeves with highs this afternoon back into the 70s.
Updated: Dec. 24, 2020 at 6:44 AM CST
|By Ben Terry
The big story of the day though is the wind and those gusts are near 40 mph at times out of the north. A Wind Advisory remains in effect for all of Southwest Louisiana through 3 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 23, 2020 at 6:08 AM CST
|By Ben Terry
The timeline of strongest storms for Southwest Louisiana will be between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. with a few storms capable of damaging wind gusts and possibly even an isolated spin-up tornado.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2020 at 12:01 PM CST
|By Ben Terry
The strongest storms could contain damaging wind gusts along the leading edge of the front as widespread rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches will be likely.
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