The National Weather Service in Slidell has Been Upgraded to A Winter storm Warning for Sleet Accumulation and Snow Accumulation, Which is in effect Until 2pm CST Friday Afternoon. Frozen Precipitation has Begun Across the Florida Parishes, Including Baton Rouge, Hammond, Slidell. in Addition, Sleet was Observed Along the Mississippi Coast. The Threat of Sleet will Likely Persist Through the Evening Hours and Accumulation from a Quarter to Half Inch is Expected Through Midnight. Roads, Bridges, and Overpasses in the Warning area are Slick and Hazardous. Accumulation of Ice on Roadways, Bridges And Overpasses will Make Travel Treacherous. in Addition, Sleet May Change over to Snow Late this Evening toward Morning. Snow Accumulation of 1 to 2 Inches May Occur After Midnight Through Late Friday Morning Across the Florida Parishes and the Mississippi Coast. Snow is Expected to Taper Off from West to East During the Mid and Late Morning Hours Friday and Should End Early Friday Afternoon. Precautionary/preparedness Actions  A Winter storm Warning Means Significant Amounts of Snow  Sleet, and Ice are Expected or Occurring. Strong winds are Also Possible. this will Make Travel very Hazardous or Impossible. An area of Low Pressure will Develop in the Northwest Gulf Of Mexico and Track East Northeast Across the North Gulf tonight And Friday. with Cold Air in Place…sleet and Snow are Expected Over Areas Mainly Along and North of the Interstate 10 And 12 Corridor. a Brief Mix or Change to Sleet and Snow will Also Be Possible Just South ofInterstate 10 and 12 Corridor.

With the possibility of snow and rain in the forecast throughout the Mardi Gras holiday weekend, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that department staff is prepared to deal with winter weather.

Maintenance forces will be on standby to apply sand and salt over any affected bridges and roadways, to remove fallen trees from the roadway, and to close any roads as needed.

Interim Secretary Sherri LeBas urges motorists to take the threat of winter weather seriously. “In the event of adverse weather conditions, the department will strive to maintain access to Louisiana’s highways and interstates; however, we encourage the motoring public to avoid traveling during snow and ice, if at all possible,” said LeBas.

During winter weather conditions, the best thing motorists can do is drive slowly and carefully, and avoid driving while distracted. Always allow for extra driving time, reduce speeds when visibility is low, and make sure there is plenty of room between vehicles. Also, look out for black ice, which can form on bridges, overpasses, off-ramps and in shady spots. As always, DOTD reminds motorists to buckle up and refrain from drinking and driving.

Citizens can get the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions by using the 511 Traveler Information System simply by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at www.511la.org.

Motorists can also obtain information regarding road closures by contacting DOTD’s Customer Service Center at 1-877-4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683). The center is open 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Issued by The National Weather Service
New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA
5:12 am CST, Thu., Feb. 11, 2010

… WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON…

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR AREAS ALONG THE INTERSTATE 12 AND 10 CORRIDOR… EXTENDING FROM METROPOLITAN BATON ROUGE TO THE NORTHSHORE OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN… TO THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST.

FROZEN PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN AS EARLY AS THIS AFTERNOON… BUT IS MORE LIKELY DURING THE EVENING ACROSS METROPOLITAN BATON ROUGE AND ALONG THE INTERSTATE 12 CORRIDOR. A MIX OF RAIN AND SLEET WILL LIKELY DEVELOP DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS. DURING THE EVENING… THE RAIN AND SLEET MIX WILL LIKELY CHANGE TO A MIX OF SLEET AND SNOW AS PRECIPITATION SPREADS EAST ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST. IT WILL BECOME MOSTLY SNOW WELL AFTER MIDNIGHT AND INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

SLEET AND SNOW MAY BECOME MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES… ESPECIALLY AFTER 9 PM. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION AS SLEET AND SNOW ACCUMULATE ON THE ROADS. ACCUMULATIONS OF SLEET AND SNOW MAY REACH 2 TO 3 INCHES BY NOON ON FRIDAY WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST DURING THE MID AND LATE MORNING HOURS FRIDAY AND SHOULD END EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW… SLEET… OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

More Information

… SIGNIFICANT SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT AND FRIDAY…

.AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL DEVELOP IN THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO AND TRACK EAST NORTHEAST ACROSS THE NORTH GULF TONIGHT AND FRIDAY. WITH COLD AIR IN PLACE… SLEET AND SNOW ARE EXPECTED OVER AREAS MAINLY ALONG AND NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 10 AND 12 CORRIDOR. A BRIEF MIX OR CHANGE TO SLEET AND SNOW WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE JUST SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 10 AND 12 CORRIDOR.

The National Weather Service has Issued tornado watch 1 in Effect Until 10pm CST this Evening for the Following Areas in Louisiana this watch includes 10 Parishes in Southeast Louisiana

East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana

in Mississippi this watch includes 6 Counties in Southern Mississippi

Amite, Hancock, Pearl River, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson

this includes the Cities Of, Addis, Baton Rouge  Bay St. Louis, Bogalusa, Brusly, Centreville, Clinton, Covington, Crosby, Denham Springs, Diamondhead, Franklinton, Gloster, Greensburg, Hammond, Jackson, Lacombe, Liberty
Livonia, Mandeville, Mccomb, Montpelier, New Roads, Picayune, Ponchatoula, Port Allen, Slidell, St. Francisville, Tylertown, Walker, Waveland and Woodville.

From the National Weather Service:

…FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING…

.A SURGE OF ARCTIC AIR WILL INVADE SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND SOUTH
MISSISSIPPI LATE OVERNIGHT IN THE WAKE OF A STRONG COLD FRONT
THAT WILL PASS THROUGH THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON. A FREEZE IS
EXPECTED ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION…WITH A HARD FREEZE OCCURRING
ACROSS SOUTH MISSISSIPPI AND THOSE AREAS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
NORTH OF A MORGAN CITY TO LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN TO PASCAGOULA LINE.

…HARD FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM
CST SATURDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW ORLEANS HAS ISSUED A HARD
FREEZE WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST SATURDAY. THE HARD FREEZE WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
A HARD FREEZE IS EXPECTED ACROSS ALL OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI AND
THOSE AREAS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA NORTH OF A MORGAN CITY TO LAKE
PONTCHARTRAIN LINE. TEMPERATURES IN THESE AREAS ARE FORECAST TO BE
BELOW 26 DEGREES FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITH SOME LOCATIONS STRUGGLING
TO EVEN GET ABOVE FREEZING DURING THE DAY FRIDAY. IF TEMPERATURES
GET ABOVE FREEZING IT WILL BE FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS WITH
TEMPERATURES BACK BELOW FREEZING RIGHT AROUND SUNSET. LOWS WILL BE
EVEN LOWER FRIDAY NIGHT WITH MANY LOCATIONS POSSIBLY DROPPING INTO
THE MID TO UPPER TEENS.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) will activate the GOHSEP Crisis Action Team (CAT) Wednesday morning to monitor and respond to winter weather hazards such as possible icy conditions projected across the state this week. GOHSEP is in contact with those parishes where sleet, snow, and potential icing of Louisiana roadways is forecasted in parts of the state.

“While we are anticipating some potentially dangerous winter weather, we urge everyone to pay attention to their local news and weather forecasts and avoid driving in icy conditions. If you haven’t already done so, this is the time to have some extra supplies on hand in the event of a power outage due to icy conditions,” says GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper. “Please prepare your homes, bring your pets inside and check on the elderly and disabled. Also, take special precaution when using space heaters. Keep combustibles at least three feet away from the heater.”

GOHSEP is also coordinating efforts with other state agencies such as the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).

Department of Agriculture and Forestry:

Issuing advisories for owners of livestock

Department of Health and Hospitals:

Assessing the number of hospital beds available to prepare for cold-related injuries or illness

Department of Social Services: Working with the American Red Cross to establish warming centers.

Warming centers are places people can go to get relief from the cold. They are not open 24hours. Snacks, hot drinks, cots and blankets are provided at the warming center location.

Reviewing which resources (cots, blankets, etc.) are available if needed by local parishes.

Department of Transportation and Development:

Loading trucks with sand De-icing agents will be applied to bridges in affected areas

Preparing barricades for possible road closures

Motor Assistance Patrol (MAP) will operate 24 hours a day starting Thursday until road conditions improve

Dial 511 for more information on road closures or go to www.dotd.la.gov and click on 511 for more information

Louisiana State Police:

Working with DOTD and monitoring bridges and overpasses for icing

Preparing to activate additional personnel as needed Dial *LSP (*577) to report any problems on the roads Go to www.lsp.org for road closures

State Fire Marshall:

Emergency Response Team is preparing to assist local fire departments and any medical facilities that may lose utilities

Issuing public advisories on fire/heat safety

The American Red Cross says each chapter is in communication with the parish Offices of Emergency Preparedness personnel and will continue to work closely with them to determine what resources are needed.

Any icing issues will mainly affect bridges and overpasses. For the latest information on local weather, residents should listen to their local weather forecast.

The GOHSEP will continue to participate in daily conference calls with the National Weather Service (NWS), state and local agencies as preparations for the possibly hazardous winter weather continues.

The entire state is expected to be impacted. The current weather forecasts call for rain to develop by late Wednesday and turn into freezing rain, sleet and snow by Thursday. Temperatures could dip into the teens.

The GOHSEP urges everyone to protect themselves and their homes from freezing temperatures. Winter weather and H1N1 public service announcements (PSAs) featuring professional golfer and Shreveport native David Toms recently started airing as well as other PSAs focusing on winter weather hazards. Those PSAs can be viewed on the GOHSEP websites www.gohsep.la.gov and www.getagameplan.org. That’s also where you can find information on how to keep you and your family safe.

...A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR AREAS SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST OF
LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN FROM MIDNIGHT TO 8 AM CST TUESDAY MORNING... 

...A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS EFFECT FOR EXTREME SOUTHWEST
MISSISSIPPI...COASTAL MISSISSIPPI...RIVER PARISHES OF LOUISIANA
AND EAST CENTRAL LOUISIANA FROM MIDNIGHT TO 8 AM CST TUESDAY
MORNING... 

.MORE COLD AIR IS EXPECTED TO FILTER INTO THE REGION TODAY AND
THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. AS A RESULT...FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND A
HARD FREEZE ARE EXPECTED ACROSS AREA TUESDAY MORNINGS. ADDITIONAL
FREEZE AND HARD FREEZE WATCHES AND WARNINGS MAY BE NEEDED FOR
WEDNESDAY MORNING AND THEN AGAIN LATER THIS WEEK AS ANOTHER ARCTIC
AIRMASS MOVES SOUTH TOWARDS THE REGION. 

...HARD FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM
CST TUESDAY... 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW ORLEANS HAS ISSUED A HARD
FREEZE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM
CST TUESDAY. THE HARD FREEZE WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
AS AN ARCTIC AIRMASS WORKS INTO THE REGION TEMPERATURES COULD
POSSIBLY FALL INTO 20 TO 25 DEGREE RANGE JUST BEFORE SUNRISE
TUESDAY MORNING. A HARD FREEZE DURATION OF 4 TO 6 HOURS IS
ANTICIPATED ACROSS EXTREME SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI AND COASTAL
MISSISSIPPI. A HARD FREEZE DURATION AROUND 4 HOURS IS EXPECTED
ACROSS THE RIVER PARISHES AND EAST CENTRAL LOUISIANA. WEDNESDAY
MORNING COULD EVEN BE COLDER AS HIGH PRESSURE SITUATES RIGHT OVER
THE AREA PROVIDING THE BEST CONDITIONS FOR TEMPERATURES TO PLUMMET.

The following parishes are included in this watch:

• Pointe Coupee
• West Feliciana
• East Feliciana
• St. Helena
• Tangipahoa
• Washington
• St. Tammany
• Iberville
• West Baton Rouge
• East Baton Rouge
• Ascension
• Livingston