If you woke up this morning in the Red City and reached for a heavy coat, you weren't crazy. It was a brisk 41°F outside earlier. Honestly, the humidity was sitting at a staggering 91%, making that morning air feel more like a damp blanket than a crisp winter start. But if you’re looking at weather baton rouge now and seeing that projected high of 72°F, don't get too comfortable in your short sleeves just yet.
South Louisiana weather is famously indecisive. One minute you're sweating in the humidity, and the next, you're tracking a cold front that meteorologists like Jay Grymes are watching for potential "winter surprises."
The Weird Temperature Swing Happening Today
We are currently in a classic "onion" day—you need layers that you can peel off as the sun climbs. While the morning started near 41°F, we are fast-tracking toward a very un-January-like 72°F by the afternoon. That’s a 30-degree swing in about eight hours.
Basically, the wind is the culprit here. It’s shifting to the south at about 10 to 20 mph, pulling in that warm, moist air from the Gulf. It feels great for a walk around LSU’s Lakes, but it’s actually the setup for a much gloomier night.
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By the time you're heading out for dinner, those clear sunny skies will start to fade. The humidity is going to stay high, and by tonight, we’re looking at a low of 48°F. But here is the kicker: the chance of rain jumps to 45% after dark. It’s not a washout, but it’s enough to make the roads slick if you’re driving down I-10 or Nicholson.
Is Snow Actually Possible in Baton Rouge?
Everyone in Louisiana loses their mind the second a "snowflake" emoji appears on a weather app. We’ve all seen the chatter on social media this week.
State climatologist Jay Grymes recently weighed in on this, and he’s playing it cool. There is a "slim" chance for some flurries late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, but it’s a tricky forecast. The problem we always have here is timing. For snow to happen in Baton Rouge, the moisture has to stick around long enough for the freezing air to catch up to it.
Most of the time? The rain leaves, the clouds clear, and then it gets freezing. That’s exactly what the current models are suggesting for this weekend. The moisture will likely exit the state before the "real" cold air hits. You might see a stray flake if you're up at 3:00 AM on Sunday, but don't go buying a sled.
What the Local Experts are Seeing:
- National Weather Service (Slidell): High confidence in a temperature drop, low confidence in "meaningful" snow.
- WBRZ Storm Station: Monitoring a reinforcing cold front that will drive highs back down into the 50s for the weekend.
- The Reality: Even if a flurry falls, the ground is likely too warm for anything to stick.
How to Handle the Next 48 Hours
Knowing the weather baton rouge now helps, but planning for the next two days is where people usually get caught off guard. Saturday is going to be a total 180 from today. We’ll go from 72°F today to a high of only 55°F tomorrow. It’ll be cloudy, gray, and breezy.
If you have outdoor plans, today is the day to get them done. Tomorrow is for staying inside with a bowl of gumbo.
Actionable Steps for Baton Rouge Residents:
- The Windshield Test: With temperatures dropping into the 30s by Sunday morning, be ready to defrost your car if you’re heading to early church services or the grocery store.
- Hydrate Your Plants: Even though it’s humid, a quick water for your outdoor plants today helps them survive the cold snap coming Sunday night.
- Check the River Levels: There’s currently a Flood Advisory for the Amite River at Bayou Manchac and Denham Springs. While the weather today is sunny, the "excessive rainfall" from earlier in the week is still draining through the system.
- Layer Up: Wear a light jacket over a t-shirt today. You’ll want the jacket now, hate it at 2:00 PM, and need it again by 6:00 PM.
The most important thing to remember about weather in the 225 is that it’s never static. We are currently sitting in a warm pocket before a significant cool-down. Enjoy the 70-degree sunshine while it lasts, because by Monday (MLK Day), we’ll be back to a chilly but bright 60°F.
Keep an eye on the local radar tonight as those "light rain" chances move in around midnight. It won't be a storm, but it'll definitely be the end of our brief spring-like afternoon.