New Orleans is waking up warm, clear, and already a bit sticky this Friday, with humidity cranking up how that 72°F at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International feels. Skies will stay mostly sunny through the day, with temperatures climbing to around 82°F and a steady southeast breeze keeping conditions on the muggy side into the afternoon.
Afternoon And Tonight
Friday afternoon holds on to those mostly sunny skies, with southeast winds around 5–15 mph and only a slight chance of a stray shower. Late Friday night, patchy fog could develop between about 10 and 11 p.m., followed by mostly cloudy conditions. Temperatures will dip to near 70°F before creeping back up into the low 70s overnight, according to the National Weather Service New Orleans.
Weekend Front And Storm Risk
A cold front moves in on Saturday and brings the real action. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after daybreak, with rain chances around 70%. Rainfall totals on Saturday could average between a quarter and a half inch in some spots. A major severe weather outbreak is not on the table, but an isolated stronger storm with heavy rain and gusty winds cannot be ruled out. By Sunday, cooler air filters in, with highs in the mid-70s and a more pronounced northerly breeze keeping overnight lows in the upper 50s.
Boaters And Outdoor Plans
On coastal waters, a southeast wind sticks around through Saturday with seas of roughly 2–4 feet. Behind the front Sunday night, winds may flip to the north and gust up to around 25 knots, which could trigger Small Craft Advisories into Monday. That means it is a good idea to secure loose outdoor gear and stay flexible on weekend events or marine plans. Boaters and weekend sailors should keep tabs on updated marine forecasts from the National Weather Service.
What To Pack
If you are heading out this weekend, plan on a light rain jacket and an umbrella for Saturday and Sunday. Give yourself extra travel time during any heavier showers or storms. Anyone with outdoor furniture or boats should go ahead and tie things down before the front arrives to avoid surprise wind gusts and brief flooding from those heavier downpours.
