The unusually cold temperatures inundating Southwest Louisiana are expected to remain into next week as a storm system forming along the Gulf Coast combines with Arctic air from Canada spilling southward into the state.

“This will yield a somewhat complex meteorological scenario as warmer air moves in atop the colder air near the surface,” according to Doug Cramer, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office. “There is a chance that temperatures near the surface remain close to freezing, which could result in an increased chance for freezing rain.”

The possible sleet and freezing rain would develop Wednesday night into Thursday.

For Wednesday morning, wind chills between 20 and 25 degrees are expected near the coast to along Interstate 10 in Acadiana.

The coastal low pressure is expected to move northeast with rain becoming widespread Thursday into Friday. Bands of heavy rainfall will be possible, primarily
over the southern half of the area. There is a marginal risk for flash flooding.

Temperatures are expected to warm Thursday into Friday, though, with any frozen precipitation transitioning to a cold rain.