Louisiana – A powerful Canadian cold front is forecast to sweep across Louisiana and upper southeast Texas on Sunday, ushering in well below normal temperatures and the potential for the first freeze of the season across multiple parishes by Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service is advising residents across the region to monitor conditions closely and prepare for a significant temperature drop that will bring some areas into the upper 20s by Tuesday morning. The cold snap follows unseasonably warm conditions expected to persist through Saturday.
Saturday is forecast to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 80s across the region. However, the dramatic shift begins Sunday when the cold front moves through, dropping daytime highs into the upper 60s to low 70s with strong north winds gusting up to 30 mph.
The most severe cold is anticipated Monday night into Tuesday morning. Forecast models show widespread freezing temperatures across central Louisiana, with Alexandria and Bunkie expected to bottom out at 29 degrees. Oakdale could see lows around 30 degrees, while De Ridder and Leesville are forecast to reach 32 degrees.
Communities closer to the coast will experience slightly milder conditions due to maritime influence. Lake Charles and Lafayette are both expected to see lows around 34 degrees on Tuesday morning. Coastal locations like Cameron and Sea Rim State Park should remain above freezing, with lows of 42 and 45 degrees, respectively.
Meteorologists have assigned a 50 to 80 percent probability of temperatures falling below 32 degrees across central Louisiana and upper southeast Texas on Tuesday morning, making this a high-confidence forecast for freezing conditions.
Leading up to the cold front, residents can expect warm and humid conditions. Friday brings high temperatures between 82 and 86 degrees with light southwest winds and a slight 10 to 20 percent chance of rain for areas south and east of Interstate 49.
Patchy to dense fog is forecast each morning through Saturday as calm overnight conditions combine with moisture from the Gulf. Drivers should exercise caution during early morning commutes, particularly Thursday night into Friday morning, when fog is most likely.
Monday morning temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s area-wide following the frontal passage, but Tuesday morning will deliver the coldest readings. North winds at 10 to 15 mph on Monday will contribute to the unseasonably cold conditions.
Weather officials recommend residents take appropriate cold-weather preparations, including protecting sensitive vegetation, ensuring outdoor pets have adequate shelter, and checking heating systems. Those in central and northern areas of Louisiana with exposed pipes should consider protective measures to prevent freezing damage.
The forecast calls for dry conditions throughout the cold snap, with rain chances dropping to zero percent from Sunday through Monday. Saturday night may bring a 10 to 20 percent chance of precipitation as the front approaches.