A cold weather warning goes into effect early Friday for parts of the North Coast as an arctic blast brings freezing temperatures and biting winds to much of southeast Louisiana.

Phil Grigsby, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, said that while the severe cold will be short-lived, actual air temperatures and “feels like” temperatures in the region are expected to reach lows not yet reached this fall became.

“We’ve had some cool weather, but we haven’t had that cold weather this year,” Grigsby said.

It will be cold as the weekend begins, but it will warm up again at the beginning of the week. Look for overnight lows around freezing, especially in southwest MS, where higher 20s are forecast for the early morning hours Friday and Saturday. #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/rgiDeTjPU8

– NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) December 5, 2024

Temperatures are expected to fall through much of the late afternoon and evening Thursday, falling to near or below freezing overnight in southeast Louisiana.

On the North Coast, where a cold warning is in effect from midnight to 8 a.m. Friday, temperatures will dip into the upper 20s or lower 30s overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Cities affected include Hammond, Slidell and Mandeville.

Grigsby said northerly winds of up to 10 to 15 mph would make it even colder, with wind chills in the teens.

Similar cool temperatures are expected in Baton Rouge overnight. From New Orleans south to Grand Isle, lows will be in the 30s and 40s, Grigsby said.

Area residents should take care to protect plants, especially the delicate tropical plants, bring pets indoors and bundle up, Grigsby said.

However, pipes shouldn’t be a problem – even on the north coast. Grigsby said pipes are prone to bursting when temperatures reach 25 degrees and below for an extended period of time.

“We don’t expect that to happen,” Grigsby said, “so that part is good.”

After a brisk Friday with highs in the low 50s, temperatures are expected to warm back up over the weekend. Daytime highs on Saturday are expected to be in the 60s, Grigsby said, followed by afternoon highs in the 70s on Sunday.