Nueva Orleans, Louisiana

... Freeze watch in effect from late Thursday night through Friday
morning...

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a freeze
watch... which is in effect from late Thursday night through
Friday morning.

A light freeze is expected across those locations of southeast
Louisiana south of a Morgan City to Lake Pontchartrain line...
including the New Orleans Metro area. Temperatures are expected
to be below freezing for several hours with lows in the upper 20s
Friday morning.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A freeze watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible.
These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

... Extended cold snap and possible record cold resumes Thursday night
   through Sunday...
... A brief period of light wintry precipitation is possible
   mainly in south Mississippi and upper southeast Louisiana
   Thursday late afternoon...

Tonight will be a relatively warmer night than the past couple of
nights and a freeze is not expected. Clouds will return from the
west later this evening and a light rain will develop towards
daybreak Thursday. A cold rain is expected for much of the area
Thursday in advance of a strong surge of Arctic air currently
moving through the Great Plains states. The dense cold air will
flush the rain out of the area but in doing so... may briefly
transition to a mix of light sleet and light snow with little or
no accumulation before ending Thursday afternoon or early evening.
The area most likely to see these conditions may be limited to the
southwest Mississippi counties and the adjacent Florida parishes.
South of this area temperatures should be warm enough to preclude
winter precipitation.

Residual moisture on area bridges and water crossings may result
in the formation of black ice... a condition where a thin glaze of
ice covers exposed paved surfaces. These conditions would favor
rural area roads that are less traveled during the night. Travel
in the region late Thursday night and early Friday morning should
be done with extreme caution. Elevated ice glazing... such as on
trees and powerlines... is not anticipated at this time.

The Arctic air will be the coldest this far south since February
1996 and will have a long duration impact for each night Thursday
night through Saturday night. Area temperatures may undergo freeze
durations of 12 to 16 hours each night... generally from shortly
after sunset until about mid-morning. Areas within hard freeze
warnings can experience those conditions for durations of 8 to 10
hours each night.

Some areas may experience record tying or record breaking low
temperatures. The following table is a listing of record minimum
temperatures for select locations in southeast Louisiana and
soutern Mississippi.

                               Record minimums

Site Fri 1/8 Sat 1/9 sun 1/10 Mon 1/11
Baton Rouge 20/1970 17/1979 12/1962 10/1982
New Orleans area 17/1970 22/1970 16/1962 14/1962
McComb 16/1996 14/1979 7/1962 5/1962
Gulfport naval 20/1996 19/1979 15/1962 8/1982
Pascagoula (coop)20/1996 19/1996 22/1996 8/1982
Slidell 20/1970 19/1979 15/1962 9/1962
Audubon 25/1970 24/1958 15/1962 13/1962
Houma 21/1970 23/1970 16/1962 12/1962


In addition... the combination of very cold temperatures and wind will
produce very cold wind chill readings from 5 to around 10 degrees
Friday night and Saturday morning ... and from around 10 to 15 degrees
Saturday night and Sunday morning. A Wind Chill Advisory may be required
Friday night and Saturday night.

Everyone in south Mississippi and south Louisiana should bring to
completion all freeze preparedness measures before sunset Thursday.
This includes the wrapping and protecting of exposed pipes... the
protection of sensitive plants and crops... the safe shelter of
outdoor pets and farm animals... and the care of individuals
vulnerable to the elements. Inspection and proper application of
heating equipment is urged to avoid fires and Carbon monoxide
poisoning. Also... dress appropriately for extended outdoor
exposure to the cold.


24/rr