From 80 to 40 degrees: New Orleans gets its winter preview

The big picture: New Orleans went from high of 80 on Saturday to a low of 41 on Sunday as a cold front blasted in, according to the National Weather Service.

• Monday will have highs in the mid-50s with cold, gusty winds.
• Overnight freezes are likely Monday night outside metro New Orleans, with temperatures forecast to bottom out at 25 degrees.
• Residents under freeze watches and warnings should bring their animals inside and cover plants and pipes, NWS says.

Between the lines: It's the coldest we've been since February, says Robert Frye, a lead meteorologist at NWS in Slidell.

• And while another arctic blast brought us the historic snowstorm in January, there's no chance of the white stuff this week.
• "We're going to be bone dry," Frye says.
• See the latest forecast.

The vibe: It's absolutely gumbo season.

• Chelsea Brasted's favorites are at Gris-Gris, Dooky Chase's and L'il Dizzys. (Full list)
• My favorite soups are at Pho Bang, Ideal Market, R&O's and Lola's. (Full list)

What's next: We'll warm back up Wednesday, with temperatures climbing into the 70s.