Chilly weekend ahead, first freeze watch of the season issued for the metropolitan area

The chilly Black Friday shopping conditions turn downright cold by Saturday morning as temperatures dip near freezing for the first time this season. A freeze watch has already been issued for the metropolitan area; be sure to protect the 3 P’s from the cold this weekend: people, pets and plants.

Today and tonight: With the Thanksgiving cold front now off the Louisiana coast, a few isolated showers will accompany the system early this morning, mainly in coastal parishes. Any shower activity will be shut down by mid-morning as the much drier and cooler air behind the front continues to move into the metropolitan area. For early Black Friday shoppers, conditions are about 20 degrees cooler than Thursday morning, down into the upper 40s under partly cloudy skies. Sunshine will dominate in the afternoon, but temperatures will struggle to warm above 60 degrees today. A northerly wind between 5-15 mph on Friday could also make conditions feel even cooler.

Tonight, as many continue holiday celebrations or go to high school football playoff games; bundled together! Temperatures will quickly drop into the upper 40s by 7pm and continue to drop into the 30s as the night progresses. Overnight, areas along and north of the I-10/12 corridor could potentially see freezing for the first time this season. ONE Freeze Watch have been issued for East and West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, East and West Feliciana, St. Helena, parts of Livingston and Tangipahoa Parishes and all of southwest Mississippi Friday night and Saturday morning. A freeze can damage or kill sensitive crops or houseplants. Those on the watch should move or cover their plants before the weekend and make sure to keep pets in a warm room as well.

Next: While weekend afternoons will be mild with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid 60s, mornings and evenings will be cold. It is likely that another freeze watch or warning will be issued Saturday night/Sunday morning as temperatures will again drop into the mid-30s. The cold mornings and cool afternoons will remain for the next work week, but there are signs of warming by Wednesday.

LSU & Bayou Classic: Tailgaters in Baton Rouge and New Orleans this weekend will need to add extra layers to their gameday attire this Saturday. Although conditions may be a few degrees warmer in New Orleans for the Bayou Classic due to the warming influence of Lake Pontchartrain, it will still be cool enough for extra layers. LSU Fans will need to prepare for a kickoff temperature in the low to mid 50s Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Temperatures will drop into the 40s during the game. Check out the latest LSU Kickoff Weather Index to see how the Tigers typically play in these conditions.

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