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A ***WINTER STORM WATCH*** will go into effect for East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Northern Livingston, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, and Northern Tangipahoa Parishes, as well as Amite and Wilkinson Counties on Sunday. This region highlights the "rain/freezing rain battleground" where there might be a changeover to freezing rain on Sunday. The watch area matches expectations for higher ice potential north and west of the I-10/12 corridor. Ice totals have trended lower, with only a light glaze expected where freezing rain occurs.
Additionally, an ***EXTREME COLD WATCH*** will go into effect late Sunday through early Tuesday for all of southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. Very low feels-like temperatures, wind chills, are expected to plummet and range from near zero in southwest Mississippi to the low teens in southeast Louisiana. Extended exposure to these temperatures could cause frostbite, hypothermia, and ruptured water pipes.
If you must venture outdoors, it is vital to dress in layers—including hats, gloves, and face masks. To protect your home, wrap exposed pipes or allow faucets to drip slowly, and practice heating safety by keeping space heaters three feet from combustibles and never using generators indoors. Please remember to bring pets inside or ensure they have warm shelter and unfrozen water, and make time to check on elderly family members and neighbors during this freeze.
Winter Storm Potential: A large winter storm will track across the Southern United States into the weekend, producing large swaths of snow, ice, and rain. The Baton Rouge Metro Area will find itself very close to the southern extent of ice and, therefore, possible impacts.
Rain and even a few thunderstorms will overspread Louisiana and Mississippi through the daytime hours on Saturday. While some dry time is possible early, it will become increasingly scarce through the afternoon and evening. Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing on Saturday, and so there will not be any problems due to ice, locally.
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Off-and-on showers will continue Saturday night into Sunday. Meanwhile, northwest winds will drive the freezing line closer to the Capital Area. If the temperature drops below 32°, plain rain would transition to freezing rain. That could happen as early as Sunday morning. The greatest risk of the freezing line arriving while rain is still falling will be along and north of a line from New Roads to McComb. By the I-10/12 corridor, the risk is lower, and the risk trends toward zero further to the south and east. While minor ice accumulation would only be a travel issue, any amounts greater than a tenth of an inch could stress trees and powerlines. Again, concern for this is greatest north and west of Baton Rouge. Precipitation is expected to end Sunday afternoon. However, even if rain wraps up before temperatures inevitably drop below freezing at night, any wet surfaces could turn icy — especially bridges and overpasses. Fortunately, elevated wind speeds on Sunday evening may help to mitigate this issue.
A minor change from just 32° to 33° makes a major difference in impacts for an event like this, so monitor Storm Station forecasts as new information comes in each day. Be prepared to change or cancel travel plans this weekend.
Up Next: Precipitation will clear out by Sunday evening, but the cold will tighten its grip. North winds of 10-20 mph will send wind chills, or feels-like temperatures, plummeting into the single digits and teens by Monday morning. While some sun will come out for the afternoon, most locations will stay in the 30s through the day. By Tuesday morning, air temperatures will fall back into the upper teens, but fortunately, wind will not create a much lower feels-like temperature. With another afternoon of sun, thermometers will break into the 40s. Temperatures will remain chilly through midweek, though the heart of the cold will be on its way out by then.
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