Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi – An Extreme Cold Watch has been issued for a large portion of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi as an Arctic air mass is expected to bring dangerously cold conditions early next week.
According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, wind chills could fall to near zero to the lower teens from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. The watch covers a wide area including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houma, Slidell, Hammond, Covington, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, and McComb, along with dozens of surrounding inland and coastal communities.
Forecasters warn that exposure to these temperatures could result in frostbite or hypothermia, especially during the overnight and early morning hours. In addition to personal safety risks, the extended period of freezing temperatures may lead to ruptured water pipes, particularly in homes and businesses without adequate insulation.
The cold outbreak follows a weekend winter system and may persist for multiple nights, increasing the risk to vulnerable populations, outdoor workers, pets, and livestock. Coastal and inland areas are both expected to experience significant impacts.
Residents are urged to dress in layers, cover exposed skin, bring pets indoors, and take steps now to protect plumbing by wrapping pipes or allowing faucets to drip. Officials also stress the importance of safe heating practices and checking on elderly neighbors as conditions worsen early next week.
