Authorities in Louisiana have warned people to prepare for extreme cold in the coming days, and a map by Newsweek shows where the polar vortex sweeping across large parts of the U.S. will hit the state hardest.

The winter storm next week is expected to dump up to 8 inches of snow in some areas and create hazardous road conditions in New Orleans, the northshore, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, with freezing temps for days.

BATON ROUGE, La. - The National Weather Service is monitoring a possible winter weather event that will likely affect roadways as it moves through Louisiana. There is an Enhanced Risk

Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency Saturday in preparation for the winter weather expected to hit Louisiana early next week, when snow is expected to accumulate in some areas. The National Weather Service has issued extreme cold warnings for the state in effect from Monday through Thursday.

Abnormal weather events and severe winter storms could be caused by a disrupted polar vortex. Find out here how the polar vortex affects the weather.

The potential for snowfall on the Crescent City and the Red Stick next week is "looking increasingly possible," the National Weather Service in Slidell said Friday.

Lafayette Parish School System officials announced Friday that all schools will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on the predicted drop in temperatures and the potential for wintry mix precipitation.

Louisiana is forecasted to have a potential winter storm bringing a surge of cold air late Sunday into early next week.

Very cold arctic air will interact with several systems to bring chances of freezing rain, sleet, and snow

We are going to get extremely cold next week," one forecaster said. "However it takes a lot to get winter weather down here on the Gulf Coast.”

Governor Jeff Landry declares winter weather emergency in Louisiana with National Weather Service issuing extreme cold warnings.