Here is an update concerning the winter and severe weather threat Saturday and Sunday:
- We’re continuing to trend warmer with best chance of freezing rain in our far NW areas
- A Marginal Risk of severe weather has been introduced for Sunday afternoon and evening for isolated strong to severe storms along and ahead of the cold front
Overview:
WHAT: Extreme Cold with wind chills in the single digits and low teens along with a chance of freezing rain
WHEN: Early Sunday morning for freezing rain and Monday & Tuesday morning for Extreme Cold
WHERE: Along a line from Baton Rouge to Bogalusa for freezing rain and all of SE LA and S MS for Extreme cold
CONFIDENCE:
- There is still uncertainty regarding how far south freezing temperatures get Sunday morning to produce freezing rain
- There is high confidence in wind chills in the teens and upper single digits Monday and Tuesday morning
Impacts:
- Freeze: Temperatures will fall into the upper teens and low 20s and will be below freezing for 10-20 hours for both Monday and Tuesday. These conditions could result in significant damage to unprotected pipes as well as citrus and other sensitive agricultural crops.
- Wind Chill: Wind chills of 5 to 10 degrees are forecast for Monday morning and 10 to 20 degrees on Tuesday morning. These wind chills can lead to hypothermia for those without warm shelter.
- Wintry Precip: Ice accumulation of less than 0.1 inch is forecast in SW MS and Florida Parishes. Ice accumulation will be most likely on bridges and elevated surfaces, but even some surface roads could be affected, resulting in treacherous travel conditions.
- Severe Weather: A MARGINAL RISK of severe weather has been introduced for areas east of I-55, mainly for Sunday afternoon and evening ahead of the cold front. Damaging wind and tornadoes are the primary threat at this time.