New Orleans woke up Saturday to thick clouds, soupy air and patchy fog, with temperatures lingering in the low 70s. Highs are expected to climb into the lower 80s, but the real drama comes from the sky, as showers and thunderstorms are possible from late morning into the afternoon, with heavier storms likely tonight and into Sunday. A marine dense fog advisory remains in place through the morning over nearshore waters, and forecasters warn of localized flooding in poor-drainage spots and a small risk of severe wind or a brief tornado, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Fog And Coastal Advisory
Patchy to dense fog is most likely near the Mississippi Sound and Chandeleur Sound through about 9 a.m. CST, reducing visibility over the nearshore waters and along some low-lying coastal roads, according to the National Weather Service. Mariners and anyone using the Causeway or Lakefront routes should be ready for brief stretches of very low visibility and take it slow. Dense fog over land is less widespread, but patchy fog could still sneak into coastal neighborhoods during the morning commute.
Storm Timing And Rainfall
Forecasters see a chance of showers and thunderstorms developing between about 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., with storms becoming more likely and potentially widespread from early afternoon into the evening. Rainfall totals today look generally light, but tonight’s outlook includes about a half to three-quarters of an inch in spots. Sunday could bring three-quarters of an inch to an inch or more, and guidance suggests localized 1 to 2 inch amounts are possible where storms repeatedly move over the same areas, which raises the risk of quick urban runoff.
A marginal severe threat, mainly damaging winds and hail with a low chance of a tornado in northwestern sections of the metro, is noted in the National Weather Service discussion.
What To Do For Commutes And Plans
For the morning drive, build in extra time where visibility drops and ease off the gas in foggy stretches. If you encounter standing water, do not try to drive through it. Southeast winds are forecast around 5 to 10 mph today, so widespread wind damage is not expected, but forecasters note that wind speeds increase by mid-week, so it is worth checking later updates.
Outdoor plans should stay flexible and come with a backup plan. Bring rain gear, keep an eye on radar and remember many parks and festivals can pivot quickly when storms roll in.
More Local Coverage
We recently covered this same muggy, foggy pattern in more detail; see our soupy fog wake-up for background. For the latest watches and advisories, follow the National Weather Service links above; we’ll update if the agency issues any new warnings.
