New Orleans starts Thursday, July 30, with clear skies and temperatures around 84 degrees, but the calm morning will give way to dangerous heat and afternoon storms. The heat index could reach 110 before scattered showers and thunderstorms begin developing after lunch.
Dangerous Heat Peaks Thursday Afternoon
A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday across New Orleans and surrounding parts of southeast Louisiana, with the National Weather Service warning that high humidity will make it feel as hot as 110 degrees. The actual high should reach about 95 degrees, with west winds around 5 to 10 mph and temperatures easing slightly during the afternoon.
Storms Could Bring Heavy Rain And Gusty Winds
Rain and thunderstorms have a 30% chance Thursday, with the best window arriving after 1 p.m. Most storms will be scattered, but a few could produce brief heavy downpours and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
Thursday night will stay muggy, with mostly cloudy skies, a low near 80 degrees and heat index values potentially reaching 107. A slight chance of storms lingers before 7 p.m., while overnight temperatures could rise toward 82 degrees.
Weekend Forecast Turns Wetter
Friday, July 31, brings another mostly sunny start before afternoon storms develop, with a high near 93 and a 30% rain chance. Saturday, August 1, should be similarly hot, though storm odds increase Saturday night to about 60%.
Sunday, August 2, looks like the wettest day of the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms likely and a 70% chance of rain. Repeated storms could cause locally heavy rainfall and isolated flash flooding, especially where downpours pass over the same areas more than once.
Take Heat Precautions
Residents should drink plenty of fluids, use air conditioning when possible and limit strenuous outdoor activity to the early morning or evening. Wear lightweight clothing, take frequent breaks in shaded or cooled spaces, and check on relatives and neighbors who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
Anyone showing signs of heat stroke should be moved to a cool, shaded location and treated as an emergency by calling 911.
