As of 5:35 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 13, 2026, New Orleans was waking up to a muggy, partly cloudy start, with temperatures hovering around 82°F and thick humidity hanging in the air. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to build through the morning, with the heaviest action likely between about 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. CDT. Afternoon highs should peak near 84°F, then slide back into the low 80s once storms move through.
Timing And Flood Risk
A stalled frontal boundary will keep the threat of heavy downpours and localized flash flooding around through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge. Forecasters expect the main window for widespread showers and storms to hit in the mid-morning hours, with most spots seeing between one-half and three-quarters of an inch of rain, and higher totals possible under stronger cells. Any beefier storms could bring frequent lightning, brief but sharp wind gusts, and quick drops in visibility.
This Week
Showers should gradually wind down tonight, leaving only a slight chance of rain overnight. Another round of scattered storms is possible Tuesday before storm coverage eases later in the week. A drier and hotter pattern is expected from Wednesday into the weekend, with highs pushing into the low 90s by Thursday and Friday and heat index values potentially nearing advisory levels late in the workweek. Typical afternoon pop-up storms can still fire, but they should be less widespread than what is on tap today.
Commute And Safety Tips
Plan for slow commutes and possible street flooding - leave extra travel time and do not gamble on driving through standing water. Boaters should keep a close eye out for sudden wind shifts and possible waterspouts near storms, and anyone heading to outdoor events should take lightning threats seriously. The City of New Orleans offers street-flooding maps and emergency resources at NOLA Ready for real-time updates and preparedness tips.
If you have outdoor plans this morning, move them inside or push them to later in the day and keep an ear on local alerts. Updates will be posted if the National Weather Service issues any watches or warnings. Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown - never drive through flooded roadways during heavy rain.
