Cool Mornings, Sunny Days, A Brief Chance Of Showers — Weekend Adventure Outlook For Southwest Louisiana

October 31, 2025

Read this as the guide that translates the NWS talk into what matters for your boots, board, or boat. The short version: cool, dry nights and generally pleasant, sun-filled days through Friday — then a weak upper-level trough and a cold front approach Saturday with an uptick in shower and isolated thunderstorm chances that evening. The front pushes offshore early Sunday, followed by a reinforcing shot of cool, dry air and return to mostly sunny skies and warming trends into midweek.

Why this is happening (plain language): a strong low sits over the Appalachians while high pressure sits back in the Plains. Our forecast area has been on the drier side of an upper-level low; that combination has relaxed the surface pressure gradient and cut winds down. High pressure will build overhead Friday, yielding calm to light winds and clear skies. That stability gets interrupted by a weak trough that nudges a cold front through Saturday night. The models show relatively modest moisture available for the front, so expect clouds and mainly isolated to scattered showers and a few thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into Saturday night — not a heavy, long-duration rain event. High pressure quickly returns Sunday into next week, with temperatures slowly moderating to near seasonal norms (mid/upper 70s by midweek) and rain chances near zero beyond Sunday.

Temperatures and timing you care about: tonight and Friday morning will be the coolest windows — inland lows in the low-to-mid 40s, coastal lows upper 40s to low 50s. Friday’s highs will reach upper 60s to around 70. Saturday looks similar temperature-wise (upper 60s), but plan for cloud cover building and late-afternoon/evening shower or thunderstorm chances as that front swings through. By Sunday, highs drop back into the mid-60s with breezy north winds and lots of sun; Monday–Wednesday trend warmer, reaching the mid/upper 70s by Wednesday.

Marine and winds: winds continue to relax tonight with seas easing. Offshore winds hold through Friday night, then become more easterly on Saturday ahead of the front. Expect scattered showers/thunderstorms with the frontal passage Saturday night into early Sunday. Winds will swing back offshore (northwesterly to northerly component) and increase Sunday morning behind the front and remain offshore through midweek — boating conditions improve for some, but the wind shift and increases Sunday will create choppy nearshore waters for a time.

Fire-weather and humidity notes: minimum relative humidity is expected to range roughly 35–50% the next several days. Winds are light through Friday, so fire spread risk remains low to moderate, but the slightly drier air is worth noting if you’re doing any backcountry cooking or using stoves at dispersed campsites.

Aviation: VFR conditions are expected through tonight and Friday with light, variable winds. Calm conditions are possible after midnight; plan for good visibility and clear skies into Friday.

What this means for outdoor adventures this week (region-by-region):

• Coastal paddling and bayou trips (Calcasieu Lake, Sabine Lake, Grand Chenier marshes): Friday morning and early afternoon are about as ideal as it gets right now — cool mornings, light winds, calm water. Saturday morning still looks workable, but aim to be off the water by late afternoon; isolated to scattered storms are possible as the front approaches. Sunday will be windier from the north with choppy conditions after the front passes — good for foiling or experienced paddlers who want wind, not for beginner paddlers.

• Inshore and nearshore fishing (Calcasieu Pass, Sabine Pass): plan trips Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday evening’s frontal passage could bring brief, shifting winds and localized thunderstorm cells — give the harbor a look before heading offshore. Sunday’s north winds may push fish deeper and make nearshore work tougher but can also produce good structure and action for experienced anglers.

• Day hikes and trail runs (Sam Houston Jones State Park, interior pine forests): cool mornings are perfect for long hikes or trail runs Friday and Sunday. Saturday’s midday clouds and isolated evening showers shouldn’t disrupt morning outings. Nighttime temps drop into the 40s inland — bring an insulating layer for dawn starts and campsite evenings.

• Beach walks and birding (Creole Nature Trail, Sabine National Wildlife Refuge): excellent visibility Friday and Sunday; migratory birds are easier to spot in the cool, stable air. Be prepared for breezy north winds on Sunday that can reduce comfort at exposed coastal overlooks.

Hazards to keep top of mind: isolated thunderstorms Saturday afternoon/evening (lightning risk, brief heavy rain, gusty winds locally), Sunday morning wind shift and stronger offshore winds producing choppy seas, slick trails and roots following any short heavy shower, and cool nights that can surprise campers used to summer warmth.

Local numbers to anchor plans: forecast highs upper-60s to low-70s this week, lows in the low-to-mid 40s inland and upper 30s to low 50s near coast/river corridors. Preliminary point guidance from the NWS: Lake Charles highs around 71 Saturday, lows near 43 Saturday night; Sunday highs mid-60s with gusty north winds; midweek highs return to the mid/upper 70s.

Practical flow for trip-planning: take advantage of Friday’s calm, sunny window to stage paddles, shore fishing, or longer trail days. If you’re launching Saturday, aim for morning departures and be prepared to bail early if storms fire in the afternoon. Reserve Sunday for inland hikes and beach runs where bracing north winds add drama but also some discomfort. Expect the best overall stretch for multi-day plans to begin Monday through Wednesday, when sunshine and warming temps should make everything feel a little more summery again.

Bottom line for adventurers: mostly favorable conditions for a wide range of outdoor activities through Friday, a small-but-not-negligible shower/thunder chance Saturday evening around the frontal passage, then a crisp, sunny reset Sunday and a warming trend into midweek. Keep a wind- and radar-aware plan for Saturday evening, and pack a warm layer for cool, clear mornings through the week.