Hard freeze watch in effect from Thursday evening through Saturday morning...
Tonight
Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain in the evening... then rain likely after midnight. Not as cool. Lows in the lower 40s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent in the evening increasing to 70 percent after midnight.
Thursday
Cloudy. Rain likely...then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Rain may be mixed with light snow or light sleet. No snow or sleet accumulation expected. Highs in the mid 40s. Temperature steady or slowly falling in the afternoon. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent in the morning decreasing to 20 percent in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. Colder. Lows in the lower 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny. Colder. Highs in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear. Lows around 17. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.
Saturday Night and Sunday
Mostly clear. Lows around 17. Highs in the mid 40s.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain. Not as cool. Lows in the mid 30s.
Tuesday and Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Highs in the lower 50s. Lows in the upper 30s.
Wednesday
Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain. Highs in the mid 40s.
... Hard freeze watch now in effect from Thursday evening through Saturday morning...
The hard freeze watch is now in effect from Thursday evening through Saturday morning.
A hard freeze watch has been posted for all areas with the exception of the immediate coastline for Thursday night through Friday morning. Morning low temperatures will be in the lower to middle 20s by sunrise Friday morning.
An Arctic cold front will usher in extremely cold weather Thursday. These cold temperatures are expected to persist through the weekend. The front will move through the area early on Thursday... with high temperatures occurring early Thursday morning.
Temperatures will fall rapidly through the day with temperatures falling below freezing shortly after sunset across the lakes area of southeast Texas and western and central Louisiana... and by around 9 PM across lower southeast Texas and southern Louisiana. Residents should prepare for extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures Friday and Saturday... with high temperatures on Friday in the low to mid 30s.
In addition... strong northerly winds will result in wind chill values falling into the teens Thursday night into Friday morning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A hard freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures are likely. Residents should prepare for extended periods of freezing temperatures from Thursday evening through Saturday morning.
These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation... and plants should be brought indoors or covered if possible. In addition... residents are encouraged to keep pets indoors or provide adequate shelter... food and unfrozen water if they need to remain outdoors. Wrap exposed water pipes to prevent damage to pipes.
Be sure to check on individuals that might need a little extra help... especially the elderly and the very Young. Residents are urged to use extreme caution when using space heaters... and ensure that clothing and other flammable objects are kept several feet away to prevent them from catching fire. If you have to go outside... dress in layers and wear gloves and a hat.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio... local media... or commercial radio for the latest on this event... or visit our website at weather.Gov/lakecharles.
