Snow possible in New Orleans next week
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New Orleans is going to be frigid next week and the National Weather Service is even talking about the stuff of myths — snow in south Louisiana.
Why it matters: There's hope, y'all. Not much, but it's more than we usually have.
The big picture: A powerful Arctic outbreak tied in part to the polar vortex is set to send temperatures tumbling 25 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit below average for mid-January, forecasts show.
- This event is likely to be far colder and more widespread than the Arctic outbreak that occurred earlier this month.
Zoom in: Southeast Louisiana has a low to medium chance of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain Monday night through Tuesday night, the National Weather Service in Slidell said Thursday.
- It may be a combo of several, which they call a "wintry mix."
Timing: Temperatures are expected to start crashing in New Orleans over the weekend.
- We'll go from rainy and 70 on Saturday into the 40s and 50s on Sunday.
- Add in the wind and the feels-like temperature is forecast to be in the low-20s on Monday and Tuesday, says NWS meteorologist Tyler Stanfield.
- New Orleans is currently forecast to be below freezing Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.
Threat level: The cold threatens to burst pipes, stress electricity grids and damage crops on top of the public health hazards to people.
- Officials are warning residents to protect outdoor pets and pipes.
- Residents should run a trickle from one indoor faucet overnight. See more tips.
Flashback: A Jefferson Parish water main broke after a freeze last year and the parish turned off water for everyone for several hours.
- There was a water boil advisory when it finally came back on.
What we're watching: Icy roads could be a problem if we get precipitation.
- The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and elevated parts of I-10 have been closed in the past when there was ice on the road.
- School have also closed in the past due to icy roads. Schools are already closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Any announcements about closures or late-starts for Tuesday would likely come Monday.
The bottom line: It's still early and there's a lot of uncertainty about what could happen, NWS says.
- They know it will be cold, but it's too early to tell if there will be snow, ice or anything else.
- Now is the time to check on your neighbors and prep your home for a cold snap.
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