With extremely frigid conditions expected to hit the area Thursday, the Bossier Parish Police Jury highway department is gearing up in preparation for any hazardous road conditions.

Although there’s only a slight chance of precipitation in the area, the department has readied its snow plow and has equipped trucks with ice and sand spreaders. Crews will be on standby to address any situations that may arise.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service are predicting extremely cold temperatures across the four-state region starting Thursday afternoon and continuing into Friday morning. Temperatures could fall below freezing (32˚ F) for at least 36 hours from I-20 and south, and for up to 72 hours in areas north of the corridor.

Strong northwesterly winds behind the cold front, with gusts up to 35-40 mph will result in wind chills below zero Thursday night and Friday morning. Temperatures in the teens and twenties are expected to continue into the weekend.

Forecasters say there’s a narrow window for any precipitation and freezing is not expected due to the winds at time. Impacts would be to elevated roads and bridges but due to ground heat, no low-level road impact is expected. Motorists are encouraged to monitor area road conditions before traveling.