Utility companies reported thousands of power outages scattered around Louisiana as a cold front brought morning storms and colder temperatures to the state.
Entergy electric power companies reported more than 17,000 without power Thursday morning. Cleco in central Louisiana had more than 6,000 without power as of 9 a.m.
The storm systems prompted tornado watches in many areas in the morning. Rain was expected to persist into the afternoon while colder temperatures were in the forecast. High temperatures reached the 70s at midweek but they were falling Thursday. Overnight temperatures in the 20s and 30s were in the forecast with highs Friday in the 50s. the cold was forecast to continue Friday night with somewhat warmer temperatures over the weekend.