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February 8, 2010

Rain, chilly temps coming to town

MARY MEAUX

Mardi Gras week weather will be a mixed bag of rain and cold temperatures and a bit of sunshine.

Joe Rua, meteorologist with the National Weather Service-Lake Charles laid out the weather leading up to the bead tossing, parade watching days.

Tuesday will bring a high of about 49 with a low of 31, following Monday’s cold front, he said. Winds will be out of the north between 15 and 20 mpg with gusts to 25 mph.

Partly sunny skies will grace the area on Wednesday with highs of about 50 with a slight chance of rain Wednesday night and lows about 37.

El Nino and the jet stream will bring more rain coming from the Gulf of Mexico, he said, as warmer air overrides a layer of cooler air on Thursday. The best chance for rain will be during the day on Thursday — with a 70 percent chance of precipitation — followed by more rain Thursday night.

Highs on Thursday will be around 45 with lows around 40 and winds will gust between 25 to 30 mph.

Mardi Gras Southeast Texas will begin on Thursday with the traditional Courir du Mardi Gras, also known as the “chicken toss.”

Revelers will need an umbrella to watch as costumed revelers and musicians follow a masked rider from house to house seeking ingredients for a gumbo.

The public is invited to join the Courir Du Mardi Gras parade along with Krewe members, ending downtown with a fais do-do (dance).

Bead catchers will need their umbrellas again on Friday while watching the Krewe of Krewes Parade since more rain is expected. Rua said the north wind will be between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Highs will be near 49 and lows near 36.

mmeaux@panews.com

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