Please see the below weather update from the National Weather Service (NWS) New Orleans / Baton Rouge.
- East Baton Rouge Parish is under a Cold Weather Advisory beginning at 6:00 PM tonight through 10:00 AM tomorrow morning.
- Dangerous travel caused by ice covered roadways WILL PERSIST today.
- Icy roadways will likely continue tonight into early Thursday, as well, especially roads that remain shaded.
- Temperatures are starting out EXTREMELY cold this morning. MANY record low temperatures from single digits to the lower teens in some locations.
- We will not warm up much today, with many areas remaining below freezing all day.
- Thursday during the day, at 32 by late morning with high temps in the low to mid 40s.
- Gradual warming trend begins Friday, with freeze threat ending by Saturday afternoon.
- Today
- Morning lows from <10° to low 20s. Hard freeze area wide.
- Many areas remaining below freezing all day.
- Ice covered roads will persist today leading to dangerous traveling conditions.
- Morning gusty winds around 15- 20 mainly across extreme SE LA but will dissipate during the day.
- Thursday
- Morning lows and wind chills in the upper teens & 20s Hard freeze except NOLA and immediate coastal SE LA.
- Any lingering snow ice should melt as temperatures rise into the 40s in the afternoon.
- Friday
- Morning lows and wind chills in the mid-20s to lower 30s.
- Hard freeze for areas north of I-10/12.
- Saturday
- Morning lows in the 20s to near 30 Freeze or Hard Freeze for most of the area.
Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi partners -
Here is an update concerning the residual snow/ice tomorrow and bitter cold temperatures through the work week.
Changes since Previous Update:
· A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Tonight into Thursday Morning.
Overview:
WHAT:
· Residual snow and ice on roadways
· Extreme cold temperatures.
WHEN:
· Snow and Ice today and tonight
· Extreme cold temperatures
o Extreme Cold Warning through 10am this morning
o Cold Weather Advisory Wednesday night through Thursday morning
o Below freezing overnight low temperatures Thursday nightand Friday night
WHERE: All of southeast LA and southern Mississippi.
CONFIDENCE:
· We are very confident that dangerously cold temps and exacerbated by winds (causing even lower wind chills) will occur tonight through Thursday. Prolonged temperatures at or below freezing will occur for much of the area as well.
Impacts:
Cold Temperatures and Wind Chills:
· Due to extreme cold this morning many people may not know yet if there were any pipes/plumbing issues
· Ice and snow will not melt significantly today or tonight, so icy roadways will remain an issue through tomorrow.
· Extended duration of freezing (and hard freeze) conditions are expected for the next 3 consecutive nights. Few places will rise above freezing today.
· It is emphasized to protect the 4 P's during the several days of cold weather:
o People: Check on the elderly & other vulnerable people to make sure they are adequately prepared.
o Pets: Keep your pets warm, indoors if possible. Ensure they have access to warm shelter, food and unfrozen water
o Pipes: Check insulation on exposed pipes using layers of towels/sheets/plastic bags/etc, open up sink cabinets and disconnect hoses.
o Plants: Cover sensitive vegetation, or bring inside if possible.
· Wind chills in the single digits (along and north of I-10/12) and teens (south of I-10/12) are forecast and can lead to hypothermia rapidly for those without warm shelter.
