The storm that dumped sleet and ice over the New Orleans region and much of the state has passed out into the Gulf of Mexico, prompting the National Weather Service's New Orleans office to cancel the Winter Storm Warning and replace it with a Hard Freeze Warning.
The NWS advises travel restrictions should remain in effect because of the continuing ice problem, which has created treacherous conditions and shuttered roads and bridges across the region. Temperatures are forecasted to warm into the mid- to upper-30s today, with hints of sunshine, but will quickly plummet after nightfall.
Temperatures are predicted to finally warm above freezing late Thursday morning, bringing a final end to this winter weather system.
Roads have slowly begun to reopen Wednesday morning, and Louis Armstrong Airport has announced that their first arrival in two days is safely on the ground.
City of New Orleans officials advised residents to remain cautious in a press conference Wednesday morning. Half of the accidents over the past day were attributable to the wintry conditions, according to the NOPD, and the New Orleans Fire Department responded to one fire that was caused by a space heater.
Forecasters predict foggy conditions for later this week, once the winter weather has passed. A passing front is scheduled to bring thunderstorms on Sunday and a potential for heavy rainfall by the middle of next week.
This post has been updated to reflect information provided in the city press conference.
