The start of your work week looks pleasant. Sunny skies for the most part of the day, with some cloudiness working in later this afternoon. Temperatures will remain on the mild side with highs in the mid to upper 60s. Winds will start to pick up out of the south at 10-15 mph. The clouds will be the preview of what’s to come overnight as a low pressure area swings out of the eastern Rockies and pulls across the south. This will drag a cold front through the area overnight into early Tuesday. Arctic air behind the front will blast in early in the morning and below normal temperatures are expected for the mid part of the week.
Winter weather advisories are posted for much of northern Louisiana, including Rapides and Avoyelles Parishes in central Louisiana, with winter storm Warnings posted for much of Mississippi. In the advisory area from of Alexandria to Monroe, some rain may change over to a mix of sleet, snow and rain for a brief period of time, but no accumulation is expected. Over northeast Louisiana and Mississippi, the wintry precipitation could last a bit longer. Although most roadways will be okay because of today’s warmth, a few elevated surfaces may end up with minor accumulations near Jackson. Models are putting down a half an inch of snowfall from Jackson to Tupelo. More significant accumulations are expected over northern Mississippi, Alabama, and into Tennessee.
Here in Acadiana, we should have the front push through between midnight and 4am. Winds will start gusting from the north at 20-25 mph. Temperatures will drop from the 60s to the 30s in less than an hour. Rain is likely over Acadiana, with a brief changeover to sleet and snow over the extreme northern sections. The wintry precipitation will only last an hour or two, so no accumulation is expected. All wintry precipitation will end before elevated surfaces have a chance to freeze, so local travel should be okay. There may be a few slick spots east of Baton Rouge toward the north shore.
Cold air will then hold on as skies rapidly clear. Sunny skies are expected for the remainder of the day Tuesday with highs in the lower 40s and wind chills in the 20s. A freeze is expected Tuesday night as lows will dip into the 20s. More sunshine Wednesday with highs in the 50s. A gradual warm up expected by the end of the week with more cloud cover. Highs should be near 70 by the weekend and a slight chance for rain.
