A winter weather watch has been upgraded to a warning in parts of Southwest Louisiana as the coldest air of the season is expected to move into the region overnight and hover throughout the weekend.
Donald Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Lake Charles office, said the area will be experiencing near record-low temperatures during this time with thermostats likely hitting in the low teens Saturday night into Sunday afternoon.
Leesville is expected to spend 11 hours experiencing below-freezing temperatures from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. From noon Sunday to noon Monday, Lake Charles, DeRidder, Leesville, Ragley and Jennings will spend at least 14 hours experiencing below-freezing temperatures.
Jones said rainfall is expected to hit the area at about 6 a.m. Saturday and continue through about noon on Sunday.
“We are looking at a good bit of rain Saturday, but it will be liquid rain,” Jones said. “At sunset, when we see temperatures cool off, that’s when the freezing rain will begin.”
The chance for snow is “pretty much nonexistent,” he added.
There is an ice storm warning for Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon in parts of Ragley and all of DeRidder, Leesville and Oakdale. Up to a half-inch of ice accumulation is possible in these areas.
Lake Charles and Jennings will be under a winter weather advisory during the same time period with freezing rain expected but less ice accumulation predicted — likely a tenth of an inch or less.
“There is still the possibility of road closures, including our bridges,” Jones said. “If those roads do close, chances are they will be closed on Monday, as well. Be prepared to be unable to travel for as long as two days.”
The timing of the ice accumulation is expected to be around midnight-noon on Sunday.
An extreme cold watch is also being issued for 6 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Monday in all of Southwest Louisiana. Temperatures could drop as low as 14 degrees during this time period.
McNeese State University announced on Friday that it will transition from regular campus operations to online course delivery and remote work on Monday.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board will also close all schools and facilities on Monday. Spokesperson Holly Holland said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution for buses traveling over roadways that could have black ice covering them.
The Diocese of Lake Charles and and Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School will also close their campuses.
Allen, Beauregard and Vernon parishes will also be closed Monday due to the hazardous conditions.
All Jeff Davis Parish schools will be closed Monday due to forecasts of record-breaking cold temperatures beginning Sunday evening and continuing through Tuesday.
Superintendent John Hall stated that these conditions, including single-digit wind chills and temperatures near 20 degrees, pose a safety risk to students waiting at bus stops. While significant ice accumulation on buildings is not expected, officials are concerned that bridges and roadways may freeze and become hazardous for travel.
He said the closure will also allow staff time to assess school facilities for issues such as frozen pipes, water pressure, and restroom functionality.
“We believe this decision is in the best interest of our community,” Hall said. “We understand that school closures can place additional burdens on families and apologize for the inconvenience. The safety of our students remains our first priority.”
The Salvation Army has activated its warming station at 3020 Legion St., providing a safe, heated place to warm up and will offer hot meals and beverages; cold-weather supplies such as blankets, gloves and hats; and crisis support and resource navigation. The warming station will be open anytime temperatures dip below 32 degrees.
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