South Louisiana is experiencing weather conditions normally reserved for the northern half of the United States. Areas from Lafayette to Slidell, including Baton Rouge and New Orleans, could be buried under about a half foot of snow by the time it stops falling. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says thanks to lingering frigid temperatures, it’s going to be around for a while.
Cut 23 (06) “…a few days.”
Lows will dip into the teens overnight. Keim says while that’s historic, it won’t quite be a record.
Cut 24 (07) “…be down there.”
With conditions outside deteriorating as the day moves along, state officials are urging you to just stay home. Governor Landry has a suggestion for how you can fill the time.
To say the least, driving conditions throughout South Louisiana are quite treacherous. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says visibility is very difficult when the snow is falling; it’s certainly very unique to Louisiana…
If you absolutely have to drive today, be very, very careful. Not only does that mean slow down, but it also means giving yourself lots of extra distance when stopping. And State Police Trooper Mark Gremillion (GREM-ee-ahn) says if you start skidding, stay calm and by all means, do not steer away from the skid initially.
Gremillion says it’s been a busy day for him and his fellow troopers – they’ve had to respond to a lot of vehicles that had slid off the roadway.