Louisiana map shows snow severity chances in each county

Authorities in Louisiana have warned people to prepare for extreme cold in the coming days, and a map by Newsweek shows where the polar vortex sweeping across large parts of the U.S. will hit the state hardest.

State Climatologist Jay Grymes said there could be lows of 20 degrees across the state between Monday and Wednesday and the National Weather Service (NWS) has said Baton Rouge could see its first snowfall in seven years.

Newsweek has contacted the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for comment.

Why it matters

Freezing temperatures are predicted across swathes of the U.S. and Louisiana is no exception, posing risks for drivers and health as well as prompting warnings for people to stay indoors during the extreme cold.

What to know

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) warned that people in the state should brace themselves for extreme cold next week as a winter storm system brings freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow and ice.

The LDH reported one winter weather-related death in the state this year—a 65-year-old man in Rapides Parish who died due to hypothermia—and advised people to stay inside during the extreme cold and to seek shelter if unhoused.

The NWS said a cold front from Canada meeting moisture coming in from the Gulf meant there was a 70 percent chance of snow on Tuesday in places like Baton Rouge, which last saw snowfall on January 16, 2018.

Temperatures of only 20 degrees Fahrenheit are expected Sunday, Monday and Tuesday amid expected precipitation, meteorologist Christopher Bannan, of the Slidell weather service told local news outlet The Advocate.

Louisiana officials have made plans to keep roadways and bridges safe, which included closing them if required.

The Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness posted on Facebook how next week’s outlook suggested a more significant winter event than the previous week.

Ice or a wintry mix will be the primary form of precipitation along Interstate 10 which could impact Louisiana, along with Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, Acuweather said.

What people are saying

Louisiana governor’s office said on Facebook: “The outlook for last week was far more critical than the event proved to be. The reality is that winter forecasting for Louisiana is actually tougher than tropical forecasting in terms of confidence in accuracy.”

Meteorologist Christopher Bannan said: “It’s a rare event to really get winter weather down here. We don’t usually have the right mix of cold air and moisture.”

What happens next

The extent of snow in the state and other parts of the south remains unclear with forecasters saying that much depends on exact temperatures and the position of the Gulf Coast low pressure system.