Rapides Parish residents can expect a warm and generally calm stretch through the workweek, with patchy morning fog and mild afternoons, before rain and thunderstorms move in over the weekend.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny, though patchy fog may linger during the morning hours. A slight chance of afternoon showers, around 20 percent, is expected as temperatures climb into the upper 70s. Winds will be light, shifting from west to north by the afternoon. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 50s under increasing cloud cover.

Thursday begins with another round of patchy morning fog, followed by partly sunny skies. Highs will reach the mid-70s, with light east winds turning southerly later in the day. Mostly cloudy conditions continue Thursday night, with lows in the upper 50s.

Friday and Friday night remain mostly cloudy but warm, with daytime highs in the upper 70s and overnight lows near 60. No significant rainfall is expected during this period.

Rain chances increase Saturday as cloudy skies persist throughout the day. Showers are possible in the morning, followed by showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Rain chances rise to around 80 percent, with highs in the mid-70s. More widespread showers and storms are expected Saturday night, with rain chances increasing to about 90 percent and lows in the mid-50s.

Conditions gradually improve Sunday, with a chance of morning showers giving way to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. Highs will be near 70, and rain chances decrease to around 30 percent. Clear and cooler weather settles in Sunday night and continues through Monday, with lows in the upper 40s and highs in the lower 70s.

By Tuesday, mostly sunny skies return, and temperatures warm back into the mid-70s, ending the week on a pleasant note.