A prolonged stretch of unsettled weather is expected across Rapides Parish this week, with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms along with periods of fog and warm temperatures.

Wednesday will feature showers likely, with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning and thunderstorms becoming likely in the afternoon. Highs will reach the lower 80s with south winds around 5 mph. Rain chances are near 70 percent. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, followed by additional showers after midnight. Patchy fog is also possible. Lows will settle around 70 with light and variable winds and a 50 percent chance of rain.

On Thursday, patchy morning fog is expected before another round of showers and thunderstorms develops. Highs will remain in the lower 80s with a 70 percent chance of rain. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with lows around 70 and light winds.

Friday brings a brief break in cloud cover with mostly sunny conditions early, though a chance of showers and thunderstorms returns in the afternoon. Highs will climb into the upper 80s with a 50 percent chance of rain. Friday night will be mostly clear early, then becoming partly cloudy with lows in the lower 70s.

The weekend remains active. Saturday will be partly sunny with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms and highs in the upper 80s. Rain chances remain around 50 percent. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy with a chance of evening showers and thunderstorms and lows in the lower 70s.

Sunday continues the unsettled trend with mostly cloudy skies in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the afternoon with another chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs will again reach the upper 80s with a 50 percent chance of rain. Sunday night will be partly cloudy with a chance of evening showers and lows in the lower 70s.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be mostly sunny early with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs will remain in the upper 80s with a 50 percent chance of rain. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a chance of showers and lows in the upper 60s.

Tuesday will be partly sunny with another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible. Highs will return to the lower 80s with a 40 percent chance of rain.

Residents should remain weather aware throughout the week as daily storm chances, brief heavy downpours and changing conditions remain possible across the region.