Residents in Rapides Parish can expect warm and mostly cloudy conditions early in the week before showers and thunderstorms move into the area Wednesday, followed by cooler and less humid weather through the end of the week.

Patchy fog developed across parts of the parish Tuesday morning before giving way to mostly cloudy skies. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the lower 80s with south winds between 10 and 15 mph.

Rain chances increase Wednesday as showers become likely during the afternoon along with a chance of thunderstorms. High temperatures are forecast to reach the lower 80s with breezy south winds between 10 and 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Rain chances are expected to reach about 70 percent.

Storms are likely to continue into Wednesday evening before gradually decreasing overnight. A much cooler air mass will move into the region late Wednesday night, dropping temperatures to around 50 degrees. Winds will shift from the west to the north and increase to 10 to 15 mph after midnight with gusts up to 30 mph.

Thursday will bring sunny skies along with noticeably cooler and less humid conditions. Highs are expected to reach the mid-60s with breezy north winds continuing through the day.

Clear skies Thursday night will allow temperatures to fall into the lower 40s, followed by sunny conditions Friday with highs in the mid-70s.

Warm and dry weather will continue into the weekend, with mostly clear skies and highs around 80 degrees Saturday and overnight lows in the upper 50s.

Temperatures will climb slightly higher Sunday with partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-80s. Clouds are expected to increase Sunday night with a chance of showers in the evening before cooler air returns to the region.

By Monday, conditions will turn much cooler with highs around 60 degrees and skies becoming partly sunny during the afternoon.