New Orleans is cashing in on a classic spring Sunday, with sunshine and mid 60s to start the day and most neighborhoods expected to warm into the mid 70s this afternoon. Light north winds and lower humidity will keep things comfortable through Monday and Tuesday while temperatures slowly climb. That quiet setup will not last, though, with a stronger late week pattern on deck as a front arrives late Wednesday into Wednesday night, bringing the potential for heavy rain and a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms.
This Afternoon And Tonight
Today (Sunday, May 3) will stay sunny with a high near 76°F and gentle north winds around 0 to 5 mph. Tonight remains clear with a low near 59°F, although some spots may hover closer to 61°F overnight as winds become light and shift slightly. It should be a comfortable evening for outdoor plans, with the cooler feel showing up in the early morning hours.
Late Week Storm Risk
Temperatures steadily climb through the workweek, with highs near 83°F on Tuesday and around 87°F on Wednesday as a more humid southerly flow develops. That will load the atmosphere with moisture and instability ahead of a cold front that the National Weather Service says could produce heavy rain and pockets of strong to severe thunderstorms late Wednesday into Wednesday night. Timing and intensity are still a bit fuzzy, so anyone with midweek events should plan to keep an eye on forecast updates.
Boaters And Commuters
Small craft headlines were posted around sunrise Sunday for parts of the nearshore waters, with conditions expected to improve through the day before winds crank back up later in the week. Southerly winds will increase Tuesday into Wednesday, so lake and coastal conditions will go downhill ahead of the front. On land, drivers should be ready for brief heavy downpours and localized street flooding in areas with poor drainage once storms move in.
Context
This late week setup follows the early week "storm train" that soaked parts of the region on May 1. For a recap, see our May 1 storm train recap. That round left some neighborhoods dealing with ponding and prompted marine headlines in the lakes and nearshore waters.
Bottom line: enjoy the sunny, mild Sunday, but treat Wednesday night plans as tentative, have an indoor backup ready and check for updates through Tuesday night. The quickest updates will come from the National Weather Service and local emergency channels as the front approaches.
