After hitting record high temps of 86 degrees Saturday for New Orleans, a cold front stormed in on Sunday.
Now, brace yourselves, the work week starts off cold and blustery. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says Monday’s wind will barrel through the metro area, with highs barely reaching the mid-fifties.
Tuesday morning brings a further chill. Keim notes that early-morning temperatures on the Northshore will drop low enough to warrant extra protection for everything from loved ones to exposed plumbing.
“It’s a bundle-up day for everyone,” Keim said, adding that Northshore residents should protect all four P’s: people, plants, pets, and pipes. Meanwhile, Southshore residents can skip the pipes, but still keep those layers handy.
Then the tide begins to turn...
“Later Tuesday, you’ll notice the warm-up beginning,” he said, signaling a shift that will continue steadily through the rest of the week.
But Keim warns that this season’s swings are different. “The frequency and drastic changes are higher than usual,” he said. “Save your hope that it will end here; the see-saw may continue through April.”
Even with the cold, Keim says the key is preparation: layering up, checking on the four P’s, and enjoying the brief midweek rebound in temperatures while it lasts.