A bitter cold mass is expected to move into the region with long periods of subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills expected Sunday night through Thursday.

National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter said the chance for life-threatening temperatures and wind chills to people and pets has increased. Lows will fall into the lower 20s across Southwest Louisiana on Monday and into the mid-teens Tuesday and Wednesday.

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of Southwest Louisiana for Tuesday. Slaughter said the watch means that snow and/or sleet accumulations leading to significant impacts are possible.

“This will likely be a record-breaking event in terms of snowfall,” Slaughter said.

Total snow accumulations of 5-7 inches are possible north of Interstate 10 and 3-5 inches from I-10 to the Gulf Coast.

Roads — especially bridges and overpasses — will likely become slick and hazardous. Vehicle travel could become very difficult and hazardous, Slaughter said.

Strong winds and the weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages.

Near or below-freezing temperatures are expected from Monday through Thursday.

There is a 40 percent chance of freezing rain along and south of the I-10 corridor. There is a small probability of freezing rain north of U.S. 190 and near zero across central Louisiana.

“This will be an extended cold snap,” Slaughter said.