Residents across Natchitoches Parish can expect a dramatic shift in temperatures over the coming days as summerlike heat gives way to a noticeable taste of fall weather this weekend.
Afternoon temperatures will remain in the lower 90s Wednesday and Thursday before a cold front brings cooler conditions Friday night and Saturday. By Saturday morning, temperatures will have dropped into the lower 50s, with overnight lows falling into the upper 40s by early Sunday.
The cooler weather will provide a brief break from the unseasonably warm conditions before temperatures gradually climb back into the 80s early next week.
Wednesday and Thursday:
Wednesday will begin with areas of patchy morning fog before giving way to mostly sunny skies. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach the lower 90s, with south winds around 5 mph.
Wednesday night will remain mostly clear, with overnight lows settling into the mid-60s. South winds will become light and variable during the evening.
Thursday will bring another warm afternoon, with mostly sunny skies and highs once again reaching the lower 90s. Winds will be light early in the day before becoming southeasterly around 5 mph during the afternoon.
Clear skies are expected Thursday night, with temperatures falling into the mid-60s.
Friday:
Changes in the weather pattern will become more noticeable Friday as winds increase across Natchitoches Parish.
Mostly sunny skies are expected, with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s.
The most significant change will arrive Friday night, when cooler air moves into the region and temperatures fall into the lower 50s.
Mostly clear skies will accompany the cooler conditions, setting the stage for a much different weekend compared to the heat experienced earlier in the week.
Saturday:
Saturday will bring one of the most noticeable temperature changes of the season so far.
Afternoon highs are expected to reach only the mid-70s, approximately 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the temperatures forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
Mostly sunny skies will provide favorable conditions for outdoor activities throughout Natchitoches Parish, including fall festivals, sporting events, and weekend gatherings.
The cooler weather will become even more apparent Saturday night, when temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 40s under mostly clear skies.
For residents heading outdoors Saturday evening or early Sunday morning, a jacket may be a welcome addition.
Sunday:
Sunday will begin with chilly temperatures following Saturday night’s drop into the upper 40s.
Mostly sunny skies will help temperatures recover into the lower 80s during the afternoon, bringing a warmer but still relatively comfortable day.
Partly cloudy conditions are expected Sunday night, with overnight lows returning to the upper 50s.
Monday and Tuesday:
The new workweek will bring a gradual return to warmer conditions across Natchitoches Parish.
Monday will feature mostly cloudy skies, with afternoon highs reaching the mid-80s. Overnight temperatures will remain in the lower 60s under mostly cloudy skies.
By Tuesday, temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s.
Mostly cloudy conditions will continue, along with a slight chance of afternoon showers. The forecast places the probability of rain at 20 percent.
The biggest weather story for Natchitoches Parish will be the arrival of cooler air heading into the weekend.
After several days of temperatures reaching the lower 90s, Saturday’s forecast high in the mid-70s will provide a noticeable change. Overnight lows in the upper 40s Saturday night will mark the coolest conditions of the forecast period.
The cooler temperatures are expected to be temporary, with afternoon highs returning to the 80s by Sunday and continuing to climb through Tuesday.
Rain chances will remain limited throughout the forecast period, with only a slight chance of showers currently indicated for Tuesday afternoon.
For residents across Natchitoches, Campti, Robeline, Provencal, and surrounding communities, the weekend forecast offers an opportunity to enjoy a brief stretch of fall weather before warmer conditions return.