Expect fewer showers and mild temperatures for the rest of the week. A large winter storm will send cold rain to the Capital Area over the weekend, possibly bringing ice to some.

Tonight, Tomorrow & Friday: Afternoon showers will gradually taper in coverage through the evening. Still, spotty showers will linger overnight under mostly cloudy skies. Lows will be mild, only dipping into the mid-50s. Rain will be harder to find on Thursday. Highs will respond by jumping into the low 70s. While an occasional light shower isn’t out of the question, there will be more dry time. Don’t be surprised if caught by a stray shower on Friday either. Expect another warm afternoon on Friday, but with the arrival of a cold front, highs will vary. Baton Rouge has the potential to reach the upper 60s, with 70s more likely by the coast, and lower 60s closer to Mississippi. This front will set the stage for some nasty weather over the weekend.

Winter Storm Potential: A large winter storm will track across the Southern United States into the weekend, producing large swaths of snow, ice, and rain. The Baton Rouge Metro Area will find itself very close to the southern extent of ice and, therefore, possible impacts.

A steady rain will overspread Louisiana and Mississippi through the daytime hours on Saturday. While some dry time is possible early, it will become increasingly scarce through the afternoon and evening. Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing and in the 50s on Saturday and so there will not be any problems due to ice, locally. 

Periods of rain will continue Saturday night into Sunday. Meanwhile, northwest winds will drive the freezing line closer to the Capital Area. If the temperature drops below 32°, plain rain would transition to freezing rain. That could happen as early as Saturday night, but more likely on Sunday. The greatest risk of the freezing line arriving while rain is still falling will be along and north of a line from New Roads to McComb. By the I-10/12 corridor, the risk is lower, and that trend continues to the south and east. While minor ice accumulation would only be a travel issue, any amounts greater than a tenth of an inch could stress trees and powerlines. Again, concern for this is greatest north and west of Baton Rouge. Even if precipitation wraps up before temperatures inevitably drop below freezing later Sunday, any wet surfaces could turn icy — especially bridges and overpasses. 

A minor change from just 32° to 33° makes a major difference in impacts for an event like this, so monitor Storm Station forecasts as new information comes in each day. Be prepared to change or cancel travel plans this weekend.

Up Next: Precipitation will clear out late Sunday, but the cold will tighten its grip. North winds of 10-15mph will send wind chills, or feels-like temperatures, plummeting into the teens. A hard freeze looks likely both Monday and Tuesday morning with lows in the low to mid-20s for several hours. Use any dry time later this week to wrap exposed, outdoor pipes if you have not already done so this season. Both afternoons will show some sun and get highs into the 40s which should allow ice to begin melting. 

Get the latest 7-day forecast and real-time weather updates HERE.

Watch live news HERE.

The Storm Station is here for you, on every platform. Your weather updates can be found on News 2, wbrz.com, and the WBRZ WX App on your Apple or Android device. Follow WBRZ Weather on Facebook and X for even more weather updates while you are on the go.