Overnight Freeze Warning Issued Across South Louisiana
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - It's not quite spring yet in Louisiana as portions of the state are bracing for sub-freezing temperatures come Monday.
The National Weather Service is warning of freezing temperatures overnight and into Monday morning, with temperatures as low as 29 degrees in some areas of Louisiana and Texas.
"Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 expected," the statement warns, adding that you can expect to see those temperatures in "portions of central, south central, southwest and west central Louisiana and southeast Texas."
We aren't expecting any snow or ice, but the temperatures will definitely be cold enough to kill your plants if you've already started planting for spring. It could also get low enough to freeze your pipes, the NWS warned.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
The good news is that a sunny Sunday means the roads shouldn't be too much of a problem during the Monday morning commute - but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be vigilant on the roads, especially in the low-light portions of the morning.
Over the next few days, temperatures will warm up, getting back into the 80s by Thursday, and you can start to expect some showers by the end of the work week, according to Weather.com.
Here's the full National Weather Service alert for tonight's and tomorrow's freeze warning:
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
308 AM CDT Sun Mar 19 2023
Vernon-Rapides-Avoyelles-Beauregard-Allen-Evangeline-St. Landry-Lafayette-Upper St. Martin-Lower St. Martin-Northern Calcasieu-Northern Jefferson Davis-Northern Acadia-Upper Vermilion-Upper Iberia-Upper St. Mary-Southern Calcasieu-Southern Jefferson Davis-Southern Acadia-Lower Vermilion-Lower Iberia-Lower St. Mary-Tyler-Northern Jasper-Northern Newton-Southern Jasper-Southern Newton
Including the cities of Fort Polk, Pickering, Leesville, Slagle,
Alexandria, Pineville, Effie, Marksville, Bunkie, Cottonport,
Simmesport, Mansura, Bundick Lake, De Ridder, Fields, Oretta, Oakdale, Kinder, Ville Platte, Beaver, St. Landry, Mamou, Reddell, Lawtell, Opelousas, Eunice, Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, Cade, St. Martinville, Stephensville, De Quincy, Moss Bluff, Sulphur, Westlake, Vinton, Hathaway, Jennings, Topsy, Fenton, Welsh, Elton, Crowley, Rayne, Branch, Church Point, Iota, Gueydan, Meaux, Kaplan, Maurice, New Iberia, Jeanerette, Morgan City, Centerville, Franklin, Patterson, Berwick, Bayou Vista, Lake Charles, Carlyss, Bell City, Hayes, Iowa, Lake Arthur, Morse, Abbeville, Intracoastal City, Forked Island, Avery Island, Burns Point, Cypremort Point, Town Bluff, Fred, Hillister, Ivanhoe, Spurger, Warren, Woodville, Holly Springs, Jasper, Kirbyville, Magnolia Springs, Mt. Union, Roganville, Burkeville, Farrsville, Jamestown, Newton, Wiergate, Bleakwood, Call, Gist, Buna, Evadale, and Deweyville
308 AM CDT Sun Mar 19 2023...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM CDT MONDAY...
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 expected.
* WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest and west
central Louisiana and southeast Texas.* WHEN...From 1 AM to 9 AM CDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Below are some tips you can use to make sure you keep your home protected against freezing temperatures.