One more warm day is expected for the region as southerly winds will keep the temperatures in the mid to upper 70s for highs. It won't last long though, a strong cold front is pushing southward and will arrive this evening. Expect some patchy fog this morning with temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Fog should give way to some sunshine this morning, with gradual cloudiness developing during the afternoon. It appears any rainfall will hold off until the late afternoon for central Louisiana, then spreading across the Acadiana region after dark.
As the cold front blasts through, wind speeds will increase. Expect some wind gusts to top 30mph with sustaned winds in the 15-20 mph range. Temperatures will plummet overnight with lows early Tuesday morning dropping into the mid 30s. Wind chills overnight will drop into the 20s. Rainfall will start as the cold front pushes through this evening and continue into mid morning Tuesday. As of now, the models hint at a little mixed precipitation over central Louisiana and perhaps the Northshore areas to our east, but it should be limited to some areas of sleet mixed with rainfall. Surface temperatures will remain above freezing, so no roadway issues are expected and everything will melt on contact with the ground.
Tuesday will remain blustery with gradual clearing by the afternoon. Expect temperatures to struggle into the lower 40s with wind chills in the 20s most of the day. Winds will gradually lighten overnight Tuesday night with skies clearing. Expect a hard freeze over most areas along and north of I-10. Temperatures over central Louisiana will drop to near 24, 25-26 along the US 190 corridor, 27-28 along 1-10, 29-30 along LA 14, then 30-32 from there to the coast. Freezing temperatures will last several hours in central Louisiana to just a couple hours along the coast. Probably a good idea to wrap exposed pipes north of I-10 as a precaution. Besides, you'll probably need it later this winter anyway. Plants will definitely need to be covered or brought in. Pets surely will appreciate the warmth and shelter.
Temperatures will gradually warm up into Wednesday and Thursday but still below normal for this time of year.
