Lake Charles, Louisiana – Southwest Louisiana residents can expect a cool, mostly dry Thanksgiving week, with comfortable daytime temperatures, chilly nights, and increasing rain chances by the weekend, according to the latest five-day outlook for the region.
The forecast covers Wednesday through Sunday for Southwest Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Sulphur, DeQuincy, Westlake, Iowa, Moss Bluff, Carlyss, Vinton, Gillis, Hayes, Starks, and surrounding areas.
Wednesday: Cool, Dry, and Breezy
Wednesday is expected to be dry across Southwest Louisiana, with high temperatures ranging from 63 to 70 degrees. Skies are likely to stay fair as precipitation chances sit at 0%, signaling a stable air mass over the region.
Winds will blow from the north at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, bringing in cooler and drier air from the interior. That northerly breeze will make it feel a bit cooler, especially in open areas and near bodies of water.
By Wednesday night, temperatures are forecast to drop sharply, with overnight lows between 36 and 46 degrees. Some inland neighborhoods could flirt with the upper 30s, while locations closer to the coast remain in the low to mid-40s. Residents may want to plan for jackets or light coats for evening and early-morning activities.
Thanksgiving Day: Cool Sunshine and Chilly Night
The Thanksgiving Day forecast favors outdoor plans such as travel, family gatherings, and community events. High temperatures will stay between 59 and 67 degrees, a few degrees cooler than Wednesday.
Rain chances remain at 0%, indicating another dry day across Southwest Louisiana. Skies should remain mostly clear to partly cloudy, allowing for good visibility for travelers on area highways and interstates.
Winds will ease slightly, shifting to a north wind at 5 to 12 mph. The lighter breeze will make conditions feel pleasant during the afternoon, especially in sunny areas.
Thanksgiving night will be cold by Gulf Coast standards, with overnight lows ranging from 34 to 44 degrees. Inland locations could drop into the mid-30s, raising the potential for a light chill early Friday morning. While this is not a hard freeze forecast, residents sensitive to cooler weather may want to prepare extra blankets or turn on heating systems if they have not already.
Friday: Gradual Warm-Up, Still Dry
Friday continues the stretch of dry weather. Afternoon high temperatures will reach 61 to 67 degrees, keeping conditions seasonable for late November.
Precipitation remains at 0%, which means no measurable rain is expected during the day. Skies will likely stay mostly clear to partly cloudy as weather patterns slowly shift over the region.
Winds will turn from the east at 5 to 12 mph, a sign that Gulf moisture may start to slowly return. However, this moisture will not be enough to trigger showers on Friday.
Overnight into early Saturday, lows are forecast between 41 and 55 degrees. Coastal areas and locations nearer to larger bodies of water may remain in the lower 50s, while interior areas cool into the low 40s. Travelers returning home after the holiday, especially late at night, should be prepared for cooler temperatures but no significant weather-related travel disruptions.
Saturday: Warmer With Increasing Rain Chances
Saturday marks a noticeable change in the pattern, with warmer temperatures and a rising chance of showers and possible storms, especially toward Texas.
Daytime highs will climb to between 68 and 73 degrees, making it the warmest day of the five-day period. The warmer temperatures will come as winds shift from the southeast at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. A southeast wind typically brings in more moisture from the Gulf, increasing humidity and the potential for rainfall.
The chance of precipitation rises to between 15% and 65%, with the higher chances in Southeast Texas. For residents in western parts of Southwest Louisiana, particularly closer to the Texas state line, the odds of encountering showers will be greater than for those farther east. This indicates that the heaviest and earliest rain may remain west of the core Louisiana communities but could still impact travel and outdoor plans near the border.
Saturday night temperatures are expected to be milder, with overnight lows between 44 and 54 degrees. Cloud cover and rising moisture typically limit how far temperatures can fall, which explains the warmer night compared with earlier in the week.
Sunday: Cooler Again, With Scattered Showers
On Sunday, another transition is expected as cooler air begins to work back into the region, while rain chances linger.
High temperatures will drop slightly, reaching between 58 and 66 degrees, bringing readings back closer to midweek levels. Precipitation chances range from 35% to 50%, suggesting that scattered showers could develop over parts of Southwest Louisiana.
Winds will turn to the northeast at 5 to 12 mph, which often signals a cooler and somewhat drier air mass returning behind a frontal boundary or disturbance. However, with moisture still present, some locations may continue to see periods of light to moderate rain.
While no severe weather details are provided in the outlook, the combination of increasing moisture Saturday and lingering showers Sunday means residents should stay aware of updated local forecasts, especially if planning outdoor events, church gatherings, or travel to and from neighboring states.
What This Means for Holiday Plans
For residents across Calcasieu Parish and surrounding Southwest Louisiana communities, the forecast favors:
- Good travel conditions Wednesday through Friday, with dry roads and clear skies.
- Comfortable but cool afternoons for Thanksgiving gatherings, tailgating, and outdoor cooking.
- Chilly nights most of the week, especially Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, when temperatures dip into the 30s and low 40s in some locations.
- A shift to warmer, more humid weather Saturday, followed by increasing rain chances and breezy southeast winds.
- Scattered showers possible Sunday, which could lead to wet roads and slower travel, though widespread heavy rain is not indicated in the provided data.
No flooding, severe thunderstorm, or winter weather threats are mentioned in this specific outlook. The main weather concerns revolve around cooler nighttime temperatures early in the period and the potential for rain impacting outdoor activities and travel over the weekend.
Local residents are encouraged to:
- Dress in layers for morning and evening outdoor plans.
- Monitor updated forecasts from local National Weather Service offices and media outlets, especially from Saturday onward.
- Consider flexible plans for outdoor activities on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, in case showers become more widespread.
With mostly dry weather for the core Thanksgiving holiday and only modest rain chances arriving late in the weekend, Southwest Louisiana appears set for a relatively calm and manageable holiday weather pattern.