New Orleans rolled out of bed to soup-thick fog early Saturday, April 11, as visibility dropped sharply before sunrise and a Dense Fog Advisory held through about 9 a.m. Temperatures hovered in the mid-60s with humidity near saturation, slowing the pre-sunrise commute to a cautious crawl. The fog is expected to burn off by mid-morning, opening the door to sunny, warm afternoons with highs near 80°F.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
The Dense Fog Advisory is on track to lift around 9 a.m. CDT, after which skies should turn mostly sunny with highs near 80°F today and around 81°F on Sunday. East to southeast winds will run about 5-15 mph during the day, light enough to let the warmth build in. According to the National Weather Service New Orleans, this pattern will keep rain chances near zero through early next week.
Marine And Boating Concerns
Choppy conditions on Lake Pontchartrain and nearby coastal waters are expected to hang around through the weekend and have triggered advisories for small craft, so inexperienced mariners should skip open-water trips until things calm down. Secure loose gear at marinas and avoid unfamiliar crossings when visibility is low or seas turn rough. For more on the marine outlook and recent advisories, check out this look at sticky skies and choppy lakes.
What This Means For Your Commute
Drivers should stick to low-beam headlights, ease off the gas and leave extra following distance on bridges and low-lying roads until the fog clears. Plan to tack on 10-20 minutes to pre-sunrise trips and skip cruise control when visibility suddenly drops, especially along the lakefront and riverfront. If your morning plans involve heading out on the water, postpone nonessential runs until advisories are lifted.
Weekend Outlook
After the fog fades, the next several days look warm and mostly dry, with afternoon highs in the low-to-mid 80s and overnight lows holding in the mid-60s. There is a low chance for an isolated shower later in the week, but the run of sunny, warm weather is expected to hold through Friday. Keep up with updated forecasts before early-morning road trips or marina runs.
