New Orleans is waking up warm, gray, and sticky on Wednesday, with mostly cloudy skies, temperatures near 73°F, and plenty of humidity to go around. Skies should break into a partly sunny mix this afternoon and send highs up to about 83°F. The real action, though, arrives after dark, when a strong cold front charges in late Wednesday night into early Thursday, March 12, dragging a band of showers and thunderstorms that could pack a punch in spots.
Tonight: Storms Could Bring Heavy Rain and Strong Gusts
A line of thunderstorms is expected to fire up over east Texas and march east into the New Orleans area after sunset on Wednesday, March 11, with the primary window for rough weather running overnight into the early morning hours of Thursday, March 12. Some storms could dump heavy rain, roughly three quarters to one inch in a few locations, along with gusty winds that may reach about 35 mph. The region has the potential for strong to severe storms. Keep an eye on watches, warnings, and updated forecasts for any fast changes, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday: Much Cooler and Windy
Behind the front, a shot of much cooler and drier air will arrive for Thursday, March 12, dropping highs into the mid 60s, roughly a 15 to 20°F fall from Wednesday’s warmth. North winds around 10 to 15 mph, with gusts near 35 mph, are likely, which will make it feel brisk and scrub out the humidity for a day or two. Conditions should steadily improve through the day, although it will feel noticeably cooler.
Boaters, Commuters and Outdoor Plans
Small Craft Advisories cover many coastal waters from about 1 AM to 7 PM Thursday, March 12, so recreational boaters should stay in port and secure small vessels and loose gear. If you are out late Wednesday, expect heavier downpours to cut visibility and slow traffic during the pre dawn commute. Secure outdoor furniture, and be mindful of limbs that could come down in the gusty winds. For background on the fog and early week warmth that set the stage for this front, see our March 9 update wakes up in a fog.
How to Prepare
Bring rain gear and a backup plan for evening events, charge phones so you can receive alerts, and avoid driving through flooded roadways. If conditions ramp up into severe storm warnings, move indoors, stay away from windows, and follow local emergency information until the threat has passed.
