Lake Charles, Louisiana – Forecasters are warning that the coldest air of the season is expected to move into Louisiana and southeast Texas late Friday night into Saturday, bringing a risk of freezing rain, sleet, and dangerous wind chills for parts of the region.
Meteorologists say the true Arctic air has been delayed somewhat, but confidence is high that it will settle over the area from Saturday night, January 24, into Sunday, January 25. Some communities in central Louisiana and interior southeast Texas are expected to remain below freezing for 24 to 48 hours.
Cold Weather Advisory Covers Southeast Texas And Much Of Louisiana
A cold weather advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday until noon Sunday for all of southeast Texas and for central, south central, and southwest Louisiana.
Forecast low temperatures are expected to range from 20 to 25 degrees, with wind chill readings dropping into the low teens. Wind chill is a measure of how cold it feels on the skin when wind is combined with low air temperatures.
These conditions raise concerns for people without adequate heating, vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children, and anyone who must spend extended time outdoors.
Ice Accumulation: Highest Risk In Central Louisiana, Interior Southeast Texas
Forecasters expect significant ice accumulations of 0.1 to 0.25 inches across parts of central Louisiana and interior portions of southeast Texas from Saturday night into Sunday. Even a tenth of an inch of ice can make roads, bridges, and overpasses slick, raising the risk of vehicle crashes and travel disruptions.
Along the Interstate 10 corridor, from southeast Texas into southwest and south central Louisiana, little to no ice accumulation is expected at this time.
However, there is increasing medium confidence that central Louisiana will see measurable freezing rain or sleet. Forecast confidence is still low regarding how much freezing rain or sleet may fall south of Highway 190 and about the exact timing of the transition from cold rain to winter precipitation.
Time Below Freezing: Some Areas Could See A Full Day Or More
The duration of freezing temperatures will vary sharply across the region.
From noon Saturday to noon Sunday:
- Leesville: 11 hours below freezing
- Woodville: 10 hours
- Jasper: 10 hours
- Alexandria: 8 hours
- DeRidder: 2 hours
- Most other locations, including Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Beaumont: 0 hours below freezing in this first 24-hour period
From noon Sunday to noon Monday, the cold deepens and spreads:
- Woodville: 24 hours below freezing
- Jasper: 24 hours
- Leesville: 22 hours
- Alexandria: 19 hours
- DeRidder: 19 hours
- Oakdale: 18 hours
- Bunkie: 18 hours
- Ragley: 18 hours
- Buna: 18 hours
- Beaumont: 17 hours
- Orange: 17 hours
- Opelousas: 17 hours
- Sea Rim State Park: 17 hours
- Lake Charles: 16 hours
- Jennings: 16 hours
- Lafayette: 16 hours
- Jeanerette: 14 hours
- Pecan Island: 14 hours
- Cameron: 13 hours
- Morgan City: 9 hours
Forecasters say areas of central Louisiana and interior southeast Texas will likely remain below freezing for 24 to 48 hours, a stretch long enough to create problems for exposed pipes, pets, and unprotected plants.
Travel Impacts Most Likely North Of I-10
Officials are urging residents, especially those north of the Interstate 10 corridor, to anticipate potential travel impacts and to monitor the forecast closely.
With the possibility of freezing rain and sleet in central Louisiana and interior southeast Texas, elevated road surfaces such as bridges and overpasses would be the first to become hazardous. Even in places where ice totals stay on the lower end of the forecast range, a thin glaze on roads can lead to dangerous driving conditions and increased risk of incidents.
South of I-10, current expectations are for primarily cold rain, but the forecast carries low confidence about how far south freezing precipitation could reach and exactly when rain may change over to wintry weather.
Forecast Uncertainty Remains In Key Areas
While confidence is high in the arrival of very cold air and widespread subfreezing temperatures, several details remain uncertain:
- Amount of freezing rain and sleet in central Louisiana: Confidence is increasing but is still rated medium. Small changes in temperature at ground level or just above the surface could change how much ice forms.
- Freezing rain and sleet south of Highway 190: Confidence is low. A slight shift in the cold air could either keep this zone as cold rain or push the freezing line farther south.
- Timing of changeover from rain to winter precipitation: Forecast confidence is low. The exact hour that rain turns to freezing rain, sleet, or a mix will affect how much ice accumulates and where it forms.
What Residents Can Do Now
Officials recommend residents in Louisiana and southeast Texas take several steps before the coldest air arrives:
- Prepare for dangerous wind chills: Limit extended outdoor activity, dress in layers, and cover exposed skin when possible.
- Protect people, pets, pipes, and plants: Bring pets indoors, insulate exposed pipes, and cover or move sensitive plants.
- Plan for travel changes: Be ready for icy roads north of I-10, and consider altering travel plans if freezing rain or sleet develops.
While this Arctic blast may not bring the deep snowfalls seen in other parts of the country, the threat of ice and a prolonged freeze in a region not accustomed to such cold can still create serious problems if residents and local agencies are not prepared.
Graphic: Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas Potential Winter Weather Saturday Night – Sunday
Graphic: Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas Cold Weather Advisory Area
Graphic: Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas Forecast Ice Accumulation Totals – Saturday Night – Sunday
Graphic: Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas Time Below Freezing – Noon Saturday to Noon Sunday
Graphic: Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas Time Below Freezing – Noon Sunday to Noon Monday
