New Orleans is starting Thursday on a crisp note, with clear skies over Lakefront Airport, temperatures near 48°F and a light southwest breeze. By this afternoon, the city trades the chill for full-on sunshine, with a high near 74°F and only a gentle wind. Forecasters expect above-normal temperatures and a dry pattern to stick around through at least the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday, March 19 is expected to top out near 74°F, with Friday, March 20 climbing to around 78°F. Saturday, March 21 is forecast near 81°F, and Sunday and Monday (March 22-23) should hold in the low 80s. Those numbers, along with the continuing dry streak, line up with the National Weather Service outlook.
Afternoon Winds And The Water
Winds will stay on the tame side, generally from the southwest at about 0-10 mph through most afternoons. Nearshore spots could see brief bumps to 10-15 mph in the evening. That steady onshore flow should keep waves modest at roughly 2-3 feet or less, so boating conditions are looking favorable heading into the weekend.
What This Means For Weekend Plans
Outdoor events and patios get the green light: sunny afternoons and warm temperatures mean fewer weather headaches. Mornings will be milder, with lows in the mid 50s to low 60s, so a light jacket may come in handy early, and sunscreen will be smart once those midday highs kick in.
For background on how we got here, see our fog-and-heat pattern earlier this month, which tracked the recent run of muggy mornings. This brief follow-up notes that the pattern has shifted toward clearer skies and continued warmth, with little chance of rain through mid week.
