New Orleans woke up Saturday (June 6) to a classic Gulf stew: cloudy, muggy skies, temperatures near 77°F, and dew points parked in the mid-70s. A weak tropical wave is the main troublemaker, keeping showers and thunderstorms in the mix through the day, with the heaviest action expected from late morning into the afternoon. Look for a high near 85°F and brief, heavy downpours that could leave low-lying streets ponded with water.
Timing And Where The Heaviest Rain Falls
Showers and storms are on the table before 8 a.m., but the primary window for the stronger cells runs roughly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional rounds possible into the evening. New rainfall totals of about three-quarters to one inch are possible, and the highest risk of locally heavy rain sits east of I-55 and along and south of the I-10/I-12 corridors. South winds of 5 to 10 mph mean storms may repeatedly track over the same neighborhoods, which bumps up the chances for street flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Coastal Tides And Boating
Tide levels stay abnormally high today even as winds ease, so expect nuisance flooding around the lakefront and other low-lying coastal spots during the next high tide. Earlier coverage has been tracking the tidal nuisance and local impacts; see Friday's tidal trouble for maps and photos from Friday. Boat owners should stay alert, since seas will turn choppy near storms and gusty winds can quickly create local hazards.
Weekend Outlook And What To Do
Rain chances gradually ease Sunday and into early next week as the tropical wave shifts west, with highs climbing into the upper 80s and low 90s and lower rain chances by midweek. Scattered afternoon pop-up storms can still develop, and heat indices could approach 100°F later in the week, so water and shade should be part of any outdoor game plan, per the National Weather Service. For now, build in extra time for commutes, avoid driving through flooded streets, and keep that umbrella within reach.
