Minden and Webster Parish residents awakened to an icy layer on roads, city streets and driveways Monday and the cold front that delivered the extreme conditions is expected to hang around for at least another couple of days.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict freezing rain and sleet likely before 2 p.m. today (Monday), then a slight chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet between 2 and 3 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as 10.
North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch is possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than half an inch is possible. Expect freezing mix to end sometime prior to 5 p.m. today (Monday), with only a slight chance of lingering precipitation.
A wind chill advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. tonight through noon Tuesday.
Bitterly cold wind chills ranging as low as -9 degrees north of I-30 will be possible.
Below zero wind chills are still possible south of I-20.
Current forecasts call for temperatures to be below freezing until Wednesday around 11 a.m.-12 p.m. A hard freeze warning has been issued until after Tuesday morning.
City and parish officials say care should be used if a person must travel since streets and roads are covered with frozen precipitation.
In Minden, Chief of Police Jared McIver said there has been only one report of a minor accident, but streets are iced and residents should refrain from driving if possible.
“We would urge everyone to stay inside today,” he said. “Our officers are patrolling and will be able to assist if we’re needed.”
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said 911 is showing no parish roads closed due to the weather, but he urged residents to stay off roadways unless it’s absolutely
necessary.
“If you do have to travel, please use extreme caution, especially when crossing bridges and overpasses,” Parker said. “Deputies are able to conduct routine patrols at this time and we will continue to do so.”
New closures:
Doctors Clinic, North Webster Medical Clinic and Springhill Physical Therapy in Springhill will be closed today due to the weather. Please utilize the Emergency Room at Springhill Medical Center if you need immediate care.
South Beach Tanning and Cross Country Management
For more closures: https://websterparishjournal.com/2024/01/15/weather-update-924-a-m-monday/(opens in a new tab)