New Orleans woke up to a cloudy, muggy start Thursday, sitting near 66°F at 6 a.m. with southerly winds around 5 to 15 mph. Skies should turn partly sunny this afternoon, and temperatures will climb to a warm high near 76°F. A weak front moves in late tonight into Friday, bringing a chance of showers and a few spotty thunderstorms.
Afternoon Breeze, Late-Night Showers
South winds will stay on the breezy side through the afternoon before easing a bit toward evening, with highs holding in the mid 70s. The best window for showers looks to be between midnight and 3 a.m., followed by areas of patchy fog and a slight chance of a few more showers or thunderstorms overnight. Lows will settle in the low to mid 60s, with temperatures possibly nudging up again toward daybreak. This outlook is from the National Weather Service.
Friday Commute Fog and Storm Chances
Friday morning commuters will have fog to contend with, along with about a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day. Highs will once again top out near 76°F. Most spots are expected to pick up less than a tenth of an inch of rain, although a few isolated heavier downpours cannot be ruled out. North winds will be light, generally under 5 mph, keeping things warm but a bit unsettled. Drivers should plan on reduced visibility and allow extra time for the morning drive.
Coastal Waters and Boaters
Moderate to strong onshore flow created hazardous conditions for small craft overnight, with advisories in place for parts of the coastal waters into early Thursday morning. Mariners and anyone planning time along the shoreline are urged to skip non-essential trips and check the latest marine forecast before heading out. Seas and gusty winds may stay elevated in some areas into Friday morning. For the latest marine products see the National Weather Service.
Plan Ahead
Forecasters expect a stretch of significantly warmer than normal weather for at least the next week to ten days, with highs in the mid 70s to near 80 through early next week. After Friday, rain chances fall off and most days look dry and mild, a solid setup for outdoor plans. For background on the recent flip from chill to warmth, check our earlier coverage. Updates will follow if the timing or coverage of the late-week showers changes.
