New Orleans woke up Thursday to a classic Gulf Coast combo: partly cloudy skies, muggy air and that wall-of-humidity feeling, with temperatures hovering around 79°F and dew points near 70°F at local stations. An east breeze is already kicking along the lakefront, making it feel cooler and windier than the thermometer alone lets on. A few spotty coastal showers may slide through this morning, but the real action holds off until later in the week.
Afternoon Winds And Coastal Flooding
By afternoon, those east winds will be more than background noise. Inland areas can expect sustained winds of 10 to 15 mph, while the immediate coast sees 14 to 18 mph with gusts that could reach 30 mph. Most coastal sections are under a Coastal Flood Advisory, and coastal waters are under a Small Craft Advisory through 7 PM CDT Friday, according to the National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge.
Outer waters are already running rough, with seas near 7 feet, and minor tidal flooding at high tide is possible in low-lying spots such as Port Fourchon and Shell Beach. A weak tropical wave will funnel rich Gulf moisture north Friday into the weekend, pushing rain chances way up. The chance of showers and thunderstorms climbs to near 90% at times Friday, with brief heavy downpours dropping about a quarter to a half inch in stronger storms, especially east of I-55 and along and south of the I-10 and I-12 corridors.
What To Do For Boaters And Commuters
If you had plans on Lake Pontchartrain or offshore, this is the time to rethink them while the Small Craft Advisory is in place and conditions stay choppy and hazardous. City officials advise moving vehicles off blocks that are known to flood and sticking with the familiar mantra: “turn around, do not drown” if you roll up on deep water. Check out the rush hour soaker details for local guidance and Streetwise alert links.
Weekend Outlook
High temperatures will sit in the low to mid 80s Thursday and Friday, then climb into the mid to upper 80s by the weekend, with warm and sticky nights holding in the upper 70s. Showers and scattered thunderstorms are likely both Saturday and Sunday. Early next week, storm coverage may thin a bit while temperatures edge toward the upper 80s. In other words, keep weekend plans flexible, because outdoor events and travel could be interrupted by repeated short but soggy downpours.
