New Orleans is waking up warm and sticky on this Thursday, with temperatures sitting near 66°F as of 5:40 a.m. CDT on April 23. Skies are mostly clear and humidity is still running high near the lake, so early hours feel muggy until the sun starts to dry things out.
Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 81°F and southeast winds of 5 to 15 mph that turn a bit breezier in the afternoon. Temperatures should hang in the upper 70s to low 80s, with only a slight chance of a brief shower. The National Weather Service keeps rain chances low for Thursday, but notes a trend toward higher precipitation as the week wraps up.
Afternoon Breeze
By mid- to late afternoon, southeast winds will pick up to around 10 to 15 mph, which could make bike rides and walks feel a bit gustier than the thermometer suggests. Lightweight yard items could shift around, and you can expect a few sharper gusts near the lakefront and on area bridges.
Weekend Storm Chance
Rain chances go up on Friday, with a slight risk in the morning and a better shot at showers and thunderstorms by Friday afternoon and evening. The high will be near 83°F. The atmosphere gets more active on Saturday, when there is about a 50% chance of rain, and periods of heavier downpours are possible. Forecasters say there is a marginal threat for stronger storms late Friday into Friday night, according to the NWS area forecast discussion, a shift from the sunnier outlook that was highlighted earlier this month.
Temperatures will trend warmer through the weekend and into early next week, reaching the mid- to upper-80s by Monday and Tuesday. If you have evening plans Friday or Saturday, a light rain jacket is a smart addition, since wet roads and brief downpours could slow the ride home.
