Wednesday, June 3, 2026 — New Orleans is waking up mostly clear, sticky and already working up a sweat, with temperatures in the mid-70s and humidity near 88 percent. A chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected before 7 a.m., followed by showers and thunderstorms likely through the afternoon, with a high near 81 F. Brief heavy downpours could quickly put water on the roads during peak drive times, so budget a little extra time if you are commuting.
According to the National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge, a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect through 7 a.m. Friday, and Small Craft Advisories are posted for many local waters as easterly winds strengthen. Forecasters say new rainfall amounts this morning could be a quarter to a half inch, with higher totals possible Thursday and a marginal risk of excessive rain Friday into the weekend. Boaters and shoreline residents are urged to keep an eye on updated advisories and move gear inland where practical.
Afternoon Winds And Tides
East winds are expected to run around 5015 mph today and pick up to about 100 mph on Thursday, with gusts to roughly 3035 mph over coastal waters tonight and Friday. That steady onshore push, combined with spring tides, could drive roughly 1 foot of water onto low-lying east-facing shores and into tidal lakes, which may slow drainage in some neighborhoods. Forecasters expect the heaviest tidal impacts on Thursday after a full day of strong easterly flow.
Through The Weekend
A tropical wave moving north out of the YucatE1n is forecast to approach the central Gulf by Friday and work onshore over the weekend, pulling rich tropical moisture back into the metro. Shower and thunderstorm coverage is expected to ramp up to numerous or widespread Friday into Saturday, with localized flash flooding possible where storms stall and some spots picking up multiple inches of rain. If you have outdoor plans this weekend, it is a good idea to monitor forecast updates and have a rain plan ready.
How To Prepare
Plan for slower commutes during heavier storms, avoid driving through standing water, and secure boats, coolers and other loose items stored near the shoreline. If you are heading out on the water, follow Small Craft Advisories and check with your marina; shorefront residents should consider moving vehicles and valuables to higher ground ahead of the higher tides expected Thursday and Friday.
For background on the setup and yesterday's outlook, see our earlier post on yesterday's soggy setup. We will update this story if advisories change.
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