A powerful Arctic storm sweeping across the United States reached south Louisiana on Sunday, bringing rain and storms to the New Orleans area ahead of a dramatic plunge in temperatures that forecasters say will usher in dangerous cold by nightfall.
Rain moved into the metro area around 9 a.m. Sunday, creating a gloomy start to the day as the system pushed east. Light to moderate rain is expected through the morning, with heavier downpours and isolated thunderstorms possible by late morning, according to the National Weather Service, which are expected to clear by Sunday afternoon.
South Louisiana will narrowly avoid the snow battering northern parts of the state, where freezing rain, sleet and snow prompted a statewide emergency declaration and widespread travel warnings…