Louisiana wakes to an unfamiliar winter bite this morning, with cold air pressing deep into the Gulf Coast before sunrise. North winds cut through jackets, breath clouds the air, and exposed skin feels the sting along streets from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.
According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. across southeast Louisiana and nearby southern Mississippi. Wind chills ranged from the lower 20s south of the I-10 corridor to the teens farther north, creating a risk of hypothermia with prolonged exposure.
Morning travel remains mostly dry, but drivers should stay alert. Bridges, overpasses, and elevated roadways along I-10, I-12, and I-55 can cool faster, allowing patchy slick spots despite clear skies. Residents are urged to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, and keep pets indoors during the coldest hours.
Sunshine helps later today, but the air stays crisp. Afternoon highs climb into the mid-40s around New Orleans and Baton Rouge, still well below December averages. After sunset, temperatures dip again into the upper 30s, allowing another round of chilly conditions to settle in.
Tuesday brings a noticeable shift. Highs rebound near 60 degrees under mostly sunny skies, easing cold-weather concerns and signaling a broader warm pattern expanding east from Texas. That warmth continues Wednesday, with highs reaching the mid-60s and increasing cloud cover.
By Thursday, weather turns more active. Showers and a few thunderstorms become possible by afternoon, especially along and south of I-10. Gusty winds and wet pavement could slow travel. Cooler air follows Thursday night, though temperatures remain above freezing.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Friday turns drier with highs near the low 60s. Saturday and Sunday warm back into the 70s, a reminder of December’s sharp temperature swings across the Gulf Coast.
Five-Day Outlook: • Today: Sunny, high near 46. • Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 60. • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 66. • Thursday: Chance of showers and storms, high near 75. • Friday: Mostly sunny, cooler, high near 63.
