What a wacky winter! After experiencing a cold snap a few weeks ago with temperatures dropping below the freezing mark all over north Louisiana, the warmest December temperature for a single day ever was recorded in many locations on December 26th as temps soared to above 80 degrees. 

Now the National Weather Service in Shreveport is projecting temperatures to plummet once again, with lows expected to drop below 30 degrees on Tuesday morning across north Louisiana, including Jackson Parish. 

Making matters worse from the massive polar plunge is going to be the windchill factor expected to be part of the system.  Windchill is how moving air affects the way the body feels temperature. Just a little bit of a breeze can make a cool temperature cold and a cold temperature unbearable and beginning on Monday, the winds will be howling out of the north with gusts as high as 25 miles per hour (MPH).

Based on figures from the National Weather Service’s Official WindChill Chart, a temperature of 30 degrees combined with a breeze of 20 mph would make the feel-like temperature 17 degrees. Raise that temperature to 35 degrees, and with the same breeze, it will feel like 24.

In order to stay safe in cold weather, residents should layer loose clothing, wear hats/mittens, avoid overexertion, stay dry, drink warm fluids, and protect vulnerable people, pets, pipes, and plants; stay indoors if possible and seal drafts in your home.