Residents should prepare for a significant shift in weather conditions this week as rain gives way to freezing temperatures and dangerous winter precipitation across the parish.
Wednesday will be wet, with rain likely before 3 p.m. and a high near 55 degrees. South winds around 5 mph will become calm in the afternoon. Rain chances stand at 90 percent, with totals between a quarter and half an inch possible. Rain is expected to continue into Wednesday night, mainly before midnight, with cloudy skies and lows around 45.
Thursday brings a brief lull, though clouds will linger. There remains a 30 percent chance of rain before noon, with highs near 56. By Thursday night, rain chances increase again to 50 percent, and temperatures will fall to around 38.
Conditions worsen Friday as colder air moves in. Rain is likely before noon, then a mix of rain and sleet is expected through the day. Highs will reach only about 45, with a 70 percent chance of precipitation.
Friday night marks the start of potentially hazardous winter weather. Rain, freezing rain, and sleet are expected before midnight, transitioning to freezing rain and sleet overnight. Sleet could become heavy at times, with temperatures plunging to around 17. The chance of precipitation rises to 90 percent.
Saturday is expected to be the most dangerous day, with freezing rain and sleet continuing and sleet possibly heavy at times. Highs will struggle to reach 22, and the chance of precipitation is 100 percent.
Saturday night will remain cloudy with freezing rain and sleet likely before midnight and lows near 15.
By Sunday, a mix of snow and freezing rain remains possible, though chances decrease to 30 percent. Highs will reach around 29, with mostly cloudy skies. Sunday night will be bitterly cold, with lows near 10.
Conditions improve slightly Monday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 34.
Officials urge residents to monitor forecasts closely, prepare for icy roads and potential power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of freezing rain and sleet. The combination of heavy sleet and subfreezing temperatures could make roadways impassable and pose risks to infrastructure and safety across Claiborne Parish.