Residents in Rapides Parish can expect a stretch of warm temperatures and breezy conditions through the end of the workweek before a noticeable cool down arrives over the weekend.

Wednesday will start mostly cloudy before turning partly sunny later in the day. Afternoon highs will reach the upper 70s with southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph.

Clouds return Wednesday night with lows dipping into the lower 60s as south winds continue with occasional gusts.

Thursday brings even warmer conditions, with highs climbing into the lower 80s. Skies will begin mostly cloudy before becoming partly sunny, while southwest winds increase to 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Mostly cloudy skies continue Thursday night with lows in the lower 60s.

Rain chances enter the forecast Friday, with mostly cloudy skies and a 30 percent chance of morning showers before becoming partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs will remain warm in the upper 70s. Friday night stays mostly cloudy with lows in the lower 60s.

Saturday carries a 40 percent chance of showers as skies start mostly cloudy before turning partly sunny later in the day. Highs will again reach the upper 70s.

A significant cool down arrives Saturday night as skies clear and temperatures fall into the lower 40s.

From Sunday through Monday night, conditions turn mostly clear and cooler. Highs will top out in the upper 50s, while overnight lows drop into the mid-30s. Sunshine continues Tuesday with highs warming slightly into the lower 60s.

Residents should prepare for breezy conditions through Thursday and monitor rain chances heading into the weekend before cooler air settles across the parish.