squall line

Thunderstorms, clustered into a squall line producing heavy rainfall, had become reinvigorated midday Tuesday as they moved into a humid air mass heated by the sun.

While the storms weren’t tall enough to garner charge separation and contain thunder and lightning, their structure was otherwise similar to a thunderstorm squall line.

The tornado spun up within a squall line that raced east through the metro area just before midnight local time.

Part of a Metairie elementary school's roof was ripped off its foundation, which NOLA.com said was likely due to intense winds following the squall line of the storm.

A squall line with severe storms and fast-moving winds was headed for north Florida on Christmas Eve.