The Farmer's Forecast - From Frost to Flood: Weather Pattern Shift on the Way

By Nick Mikulas

Louisiana Farm Bureau News/Cenla Weather

By Nick Mikulas

Louisiana Farm Bureau News/Cenla Weather

There's a lot going on in the world of weather, so I wanted to update you on the things you probably already know, and add some things you might not know. First off, there's a freeze warning for most of the state Tuesday morning. I'm confident you all know that since you're very tuned into the weather, and this will be the first freeze of the year for some. The freeze warning gets way down south to Houma and Abbeville, but I think immediate coastal areas will stay above freezing. After that, we will see a quick warm up, with temperatures approaching 80 by Wednesday.

Parts of the state have been under red flag warnings the past couple days as this dry, windy airmass has been in place. The wind should die down on Tuesday, which will reduce the fire danger a bit, though things are still very dry. I expect a pattern flip this weekend, and a return to unsettled weather, off and on, through next week. The first wave of rain and storms is likely going to impact Louisiana on Sunday, with a general 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches of rain likely. I think there will be a more significant system around the middle of next week that could bring heavier rain totals. There are hints of a third system after that, but we are getting close to 2 weeks out, and as you know, we aren't quite that good just yet. I do think each of these rounds of rain will contain at least some risk for severe weather, but specifics remain impossible this far out. I'll be watching things as they evolve. The main thing I want you to know is that you have until Saturday to do anything that requires dry ground. After that, I think things may get a little muddy.