New Orleans is waking up to a clear, muggy start, with temperatures near 64°F and plenty of humidity hanging in the air. Skies should stay mostly sunny through the day, with a warm high around 83°F and light south winds. It will feel a bit hotter than the thermometer thanks to the moisture, so if you are heading out, expect a breezy, sticky afternoon, especially near the lakefront.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
South winds around 5 to 15 mph are expected today and could gust into the mid teens during the afternoon, particularly near the river and lakefront. Winds are set to strengthen on Wednesday as a frontal system approaches, which could make conditions choppier for boats and a bit more blustery along the shoreline. Small craft operators should pay close attention to the marine forecast, since conditions may reach cautionary levels by midweek.
Thursday Storms Could Bring Heavy Rain
A slow moving frontal boundary is forecast to move in late Wednesday and stall near the coast, increasing the chances for showers and thunderstorms Thursday into Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters note that storms could repeatedly track over the same areas along the stalled boundary, leading to brief heavy downpours and localized street flooding, and a few storms could become strong with damaging wind. Rain chances climb into the 60 to 70 percent range Thursday and Friday, then begin to back off late in the weekend.
Plan Ahead For Outdoor Plans
If you have outdoor events lined up for Thursday or Friday, you may want to schedule them earlier in the day or make sure you have an indoor backup. Training storms can bring short, intense bursts of rain that quickly slick streets and cut visibility. Sign up for local alerts and see our sunshine before the storm parade for more background on how this setup is coming together. Keep umbrellas and rain gear close, and allow extra commute time when roads are wet.
Weekend Outlook
The weekend looks somewhat drier but not completely dry, with scattered showers still possible on Saturday at lower coverage. Temperatures rebound into the mid 80s by Sunday. Keep an eye on updates late Sunday into Monday for another potential round of storms as the active pattern sticks around.
