Rainy conditions will give way to cooler, drier weather across Rapides Parish as the week progresses, with frost possible midweek before temperatures rebound heading into the weekend.

Today will remain mostly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers this morning and showers becoming more likely this afternoon. Highs are expected in the upper 60s. South winds will range from 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Rain chances stand at 70 percent.

Showers will continue into tonight, with a chance of thunderstorms during the evening hours, followed by a slight chance of lingering showers after midnight. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 40s. Winds will shift from west around 5 mph to north after midnight, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Rain chances increase to 90 percent.

By Wednesday, skies will turn mostly sunny as cooler air moves in. Highs are expected in the upper 50s, with north winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Wednesday night will be colder, with partly cloudy skies and lows dropping into the lower 30s. Areas of frost are possible after midnight.

Thursday morning will bring widespread frost across the parish, followed by sunny conditions during the day. Highs will reach the mid-50s, with light northwest winds around 5 mph. Clear skies Thursday night will allow temperatures to dip into the upper 30s, with additional areas of frost possible.

Warmer weather returns Friday, with mostly clear skies and highs around 70 degrees. Overnight lows will remain cool, settling into the lower 40s. The warming trend continues Saturday under sunny skies, with highs in the lower 70s and mostly clear conditions Saturday night.

Sunday will be mostly sunny and mild, with highs in the mid-70s. Clouds increase Sunday night and into Monday, with lows in the upper 40s and daytime highs around 70 degrees.

Overall, residents can expect a brief return to winter-like conditions midweek before a stretch of pleasant, spring-like weather arrives for the weekend.