A deep upper level trough moving eastward across the United States forced a bitterly cold Arctic airmass southward from Canada into the Gulf Coast states on January 7, 2010. This airmass remained in place for several days across southwest Louisiana, leading to the coldest temperatures seen across this region since February 1996.  Several record low temperatures were set, along with a few record low maximum temperatures. Many locations in central Louisiana remained below freezing for over 36 hours from around midnight early on January 8th through the afternoon on Saturday January 9th.
These bitterly cold temperatures led to several school closures, numerous weather-related fires, sporadic power outages, and widespread plumbing ruptures across the region. One man reportedly froze to death outdoors in Mossville in Calcasieu Parish.

Cold/Wind Chill in ST. MARY, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in ALLEN, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

KPLC-TV reported water service in Kinder was shut off from 11 pm Sunday January 10th to 5:30 am Monday January 11th due to low water levels in the city water tower.

Cold/Wind Chill in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Calcasieu Parish coroner's office reported a 71 year old Mossville man died of exposure to freezing temperatures on Friday, January 8. His body was not discovered until Monday, January 11, along the side of a parish road. KPLC-TV reported that Vinton and Carlyss had low water reserves in their respective city's water towers. All Calcasieu Parish Schools were closed Friday January 8th due to the cold temperatures and low wind chill readings. Sporadic power outages affected much of the parish throughout the event, with the National Weather Service office losing power briefly during the morning of Sunday January 10th.

Cold/Wind Chill in VERNON, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in AVOYELLES, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in UPPER ST. MARTIN, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in LOWER ST. MARTIN, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lafayette Daily Advertiser reported scattered power outages across Lafayette Parish due to the cold temperatures.

Cold/Wind Chill in CAMERON, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in VERMILION, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in IBERIA, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in EVANGELINE, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Cold/Wind Chill in JEFFERSON DAVIS, LOUISIANA
From 08-JAN-10 00:00:00 to 11-JAN-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations