As the citizens of New Orleans step into the warmth of an early spring day, the National Weather Service forecasts are here to guide them through the ever-changing moods of the Gulf Coast sky. Today's skies are predicted to remain mostly cloudy, with highs reaching up towards 81 degrees, carried along by a southeast wind flowing at a gentle pace of 5 to 10 mph.
The respite offered by tonight's comfortable low of around 65 degrees is set to proceed uninterrupted, with Southeast winds continuing steadily at 5 to 10 mph. However, tomorrow's forecast begins to shift, as there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms forecasted post the 1 p.m. hour. The winds are expected to pick up as well, potentially to gust as high as 25 mph, according to NWS, New Orleans.
Looking ahead to Friday night, the region is bracing for a 50% chance of rain, with showers and thunderstorms intermittently visiting before 1 a.m., possibly pausing, then resuming after 4 a.m. The cloudy coverage offers no solace from the 66-degree low, rocked by a 10 to 15 mph Southeast wind. Saturday will see the possibility of even more significant precipitation; with an 80% chance, accompanied by showers and potential heavy rainfall thunderstorms circumscribing the area, as the southeast wind continues to assert its presence.
For those planning their weekend, Saturday night brings a slight chance of rain that ebbs away before the break of 10 p.m., rolling into mostly cloudy conditions with a low hovering around 67 degrees. The gusty southeast wind, however, decides to slowly taper off to a more manageable 5 to 10 mph breeze. Sunday ushers in a breath of fresh air, with mostly sunny skies and highs aiming to peak near 83, while the south wind plays a soft accompaniment.
The rhythm of the weather does not rest, as the new week starts with a 20 percent chance of showers post 1 a.m. on Sunday night, with overcast clouds cradling a low around 70 degrees. Monday's story reads with a likelihood of showers and thunderstorms under a partly sunny high of around 84 degrees. The forecast for the nights following holds a blend of partly to mostly cloudy skies, with temperatures staying consistent in the upper 60s, as gentle winds make a subtle turn from southwest to northeast after twilight.
