Honestly, if you’ve lived in South Louisiana for more than a week, you know the drill. You leave the house in a heavy coat and by lunch you're sweating through your shirt. But looking at the 5 day weather forecast Baton Rouge is serving up right now, we’re actually seeing something a bit different: a legitimate, sustained chill that doesn't just vanish the moment the sun peaks out over the Mississippi River.
It is cold. Not "Louisiana cold" where people overreact to 50 degrees, but actual freezing temperatures that are sticking around for a few days.
The Immediate Outlook: Sunday, January 18
Today is basically the peak of the "brrr" factor. We're looking at a high of 46°F under a bright, sunny sky. That sun is deceiving, though. With a northwest wind kicking at 11 mph, it currently feels like 39°F out there. If you’re heading out to a late lunch or walking the dog around City Park, that wind is going to bite. Tonight, the floor drops out. We’re hitting a low of 31°F. That’s a hard freeze for the Red Stick, so if you haven't brought the sensitive plants inside yet, this is your sign.
Monday and the MLK Day Shift
Monday, January 19, starts off frosty. Another low of 33°F means you'll likely be scraping a thin layer of ice off the windshield if you’re heading out early. However, things start to rebound. We’ll see a high of 58°F. It’s still sunny, and the wind dies down to a much calmer 4 mph coming from the north. It’s actually going to be a pretty beautiful day for any outdoor community service events or parades, provided you keep a jacket handy.
The Humidity Sneaks Back: Tuesday and Wednesday
This is where the 5 day weather forecast Baton Rouge gets that classic swampy twist. Tuesday stays mostly cloudy with a high of 54°F and a low of 36°F. Not much change, right? Wrong. The humidity starts climbing to 56%, and the wind shifts to the east.
By Wednesday, January 21, the "dry cold" is officially over.
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- High: 59°F
- Low: 47°F
- Condition: Cloudy with light rain starting in the evening.
- Humidity: Jumping up to 69%.
The air is going to start feeling heavy again. You know that damp, "piercing" cold that Dave from the Storm Station always talks about? That's Wednesday night.
Why the Rain on Thursday Matters
Thursday, January 22, is looking like the wettest day of the bunch. We’re reaching a high of 60°F, which sounds comfortable until you see the 85% humidity and the 35% chance of light rain that’s expected to hang around all day. It’s that gray, misty Louisiana weather that makes everything feel a little gloomy.
Quick Summary of the Numbers
Instead of a confusing chart, let's just look at the flow. We go from a freezing 31°F tonight to a much muggier 51°F low by Thursday. The northwest winds that are currently keeping us dry will be replaced by southeast and northeast breezes, bringing that Gulf moisture right back into East Baton Rouge Parish.
Most people get wrong that a "sunny" forecast in January means it's warm. In Baton Rouge, sun plus a northwest wind usually means you need the heavy wool socks. This week is a perfect example of the transition from a continental cold snap back to our standard subtropical moisture.
What You Actually Need to Do
Don't just look at the high temperatures and think you're safe.
- Drip those pipes tonight: Since we’re hitting 31°F, it’s better to be safe, especially if you’re in one of the older mid-city houses with pier-and-beam foundations.
- Layer for Monday: You’ll need the big coat at 8:00 AM, but you’ll want to be in a light sweater by 2:00 PM when it hits 58°F.
- Check the humidity: By Wednesday and Thursday, that 85% humidity will make 60°F feel much clammier than the 45°F we have today.
Keep your umbrella in the car starting Wednesday evening. The rain isn't supposed to be a washout, but in Baton Rouge, "light rain" and "humidity" usually translate to a mess on I-10. Stay warm, stay dry, and keep an eye on those overnight lows for the next 48 hours.