Baton Rouge faces a volatile winter weekend as a powerful national storm system approaches, bringing a mix of heavy rain, plunging temperatures, and a potential icing threat across parts of Louisiana. WBRZ Chief Meteorologist Dr. Josh Eachus joined the show to break down what to expect and when to expect it.
Rain will linger through Thursday and Friday, creating damp and gloomy conditions with mild temperatures. Saturday may begin dry, but Dr. Eaches said rain should intensify through the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will remain in the 50s for the first half of the weekend, eliminating any early concern for freezing rain.
The forecast becomes complicated late Saturday night into Sunday as arctic air races south. The timing of that drop will determine whether the Baton Rouge area faces freezing rain or a flash freeze. Even neighborhoods that avoid freezing rain could still deal with icy roads if leftover moisture freezes quickly Sunday night.
Dr. Eaches outlined two key zones for concern. Areas along and just north of I-12 have about a 20 percent chance of freezing rain. Locations from New Roads to Kentwood and points north could see a 50 percent chance or higher. That narrow 25 to 50 mile window will decide who deals with ice and who sees only cold rain.
Rain totals from Saturday into Sunday could reach an inch, which is significant for winter. The storm itself spans from Texas to the Carolinas and carries risks of heavy rain, ice, and even severe thunderstorms along the Louisiana coast.
Conditions improve Monday afternoon as temperatures climb above freezing. Still, hard freezes are likely Monday and Tuesday mornings, with lows dipping into the lower 20s and wind chills in the teens. The region will start thawing by Tuesday with sunshine and highs near 50.