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. 

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. Even if precipitation wraps up before temperatures inevitably drop below freezing later Sunday, any wet surfaces could turn icy — especially bridges and overpasses. Fortunately, elevated wind speeds on Sunday night 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 Sunday afternoon, but the cold will tighten its grip. North winds of 10-20 mph will send wind chills, or feels-like temperatures, plummeting by Monday morning.

An ***EXTREME COLD WATCH*** will be in effect from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning for all of south Louisiana, as wind chills have the potential to range from the single digits to lower teens during part of that timeframe. Dress in layers, and make sure to wear a hat and gloves, as frostbite and hypothermia can occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

Meanwhile, air temperatures will dip into the teens and low 20s on Monday and Tuesday morning. The extended deep freeze could cause ruptured water pipes, so insulate all vulnerable plumbing and allow a slow drip to keep water flowing. Temperatures will remain chilly through midweek, though the heart of the cold will be on its way out by then.

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