New Orleans wakes up mostly cloudy and downright muggy this morning, sitting near 79°F with a dew point around 75°F, as scattered showers and thunderstorms threaten to hang around through Friday, May 22. The midday and afternoon hours look to be the steamiest stretch, with a high near 85°F and a real shot at sudden heavy downpours that can quickly pond on streets.
Forecasters put today’s chance of showers and storms around 70%, with new rainfall totals between one-half and three-quarters of an inch for most spots and isolated areas picking up more. The National Weather Service says an unusually moist airmass and weak steering winds could let storms crawl or even back-build over the same neighborhoods, producing very heavy rain rates of 2–4 inches per hour and boosting the risk of localized flash flooding in urban and poor-drainage areas. Drivers should avoid going through standing water, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday may quiet down a bit, but showers and thunderstorms are expected to return Sunday and linger into Memorial Day (Monday, May 25), with Sunday looking like a near lock for rain and Monday still likely to be wet. For how this pattern set up in the first place, check out a stalled front and rising humidity, which previously flagged the same fronts and sticky air as the season’s wet pattern started to lock in.
Afternoon Flooding Risk
With storms expected to move slowly and sometimes train over the same spots, brief but intense downpours could trigger rapid ponding and localized street flooding. Low-lying neighborhoods and areas with known drainage issues are especially vulnerable, so take it easy in those trouble zones. Forecasters say 7‑day rainfall totals could climb to 4–7 inches across some northwest portions of the region, so keep tabs on updates and do not drive through flooded roadways.
Plan Ahead
Shift outdoor plans inside where you can, build in extra time for commutes, and keep an umbrella or rain jacket handy. If you have to drive, slow down around standing water and stick to official advisories. Before traveling, check the latest forecasts and any watches or warnings, and skip boating when thunderstorms are in the area.
