Louisiana – Cold air pools across porches and patios as frost coats rooftops from the river parishes to the coast. Streetlights glow over stiff palms and quiet neighborhoods as the region wakes under a rare, biting chill.
According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, a Freeze Warning remains in effect until 8 a.m. this morning for much of southeast Louisiana. Temperatures dipped to around 30 degrees in parts of the metro, including Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and Lafourche parishes. Frost and freezing conditions threaten sensitive vegetation and unprotected outdoor plumbing.
In New Orleans, calm winds allowed temperatures to fall quickly before sunrise. Areas near the lakefront, West Bank, and outlying communities saw the cold linger longest. Residents are urged to protect pipes, cover plants, and bring pets indoors until temperatures rebound.
Sunshine returns quickly today, helping temperatures climb into the lower 50s by afternoon. Roads improve fast, though early commuters may still encounter slick patches on bridges and elevated surfaces. The cold start gives way to a mild afternoon that feels almost forgiving by comparison.
Another round of frost is possible again late tonight and early Thursday, though temperatures recover faster during the day. Thursday turns warmer, with highs nearing 60 under mostly sunny skies. That warmth does not last.
By Friday night, colder air surges back into south Louisiana on gusty north winds. Temperatures fall sharply, setting up another freeze risk heading into Saturday morning. This pattern reflects a broader cold push across the central and eastern U.S., driven by Arctic air spilling south while the Great Lakes remain heavily frozen.
Residents should stay alert through the weekend. Take precautions now to avoid repeat damage as temperatures swing.
Five-Day Outlook for New Orleans, Louisiana
Today: Areas of frost early, then sunny, high near 52
Tonight: Clear, areas of frost late, low near 36
Thursday: Mostly sunny, warmer, high near 59
Friday: Mostly cloudy and cooler, high near 56
Saturday: Sunny and breezy, much colder, high near 39
