Saturday, July 25, 2026, and New Orleans is already steamy, with early-morning temperatures in the low 80s and dew points in the mid‑70s making the air feel downright oppressive. Highs are expected to climb into the mid‑90s today, kicking off a prolonged hot stretch that hangs on into next week. Rising humidity will push "feels like" readings into the 100s at times, ramping up heat stress for anyone who works outside or does not have reliable air conditioning.
Hot Stretch Through Next Week
According to the National Weather Service, highs from Sunday through Wednesday are expected to reach the mid‑ to upper‑90s, with heat index values likely topping 106 on Sunday. Some locations could flirt with heat index readings in the 110–115 range early next week. Forecasters note that this pattern may trigger heat advisories or even an extreme heat headline if the hottest scenarios play out. Winds will be light and rain chances stay low through midweek, so daytime relief will be hard to come by.
Day‑to‑Day Outlook
Today (Saturday, July 25, 2026) is forecast to reach a high near 94, with tonight’s low near 79. Sunday, July 26, looks a touch hotter, with highs around 95 and peak heat index values in the mid‑100s. Monday and Tuesday are projected to be the hottest days, with highs near 96–97. A modest increase in shower and thunderstorm chances arrives late in the week, mainly Thursday into Friday, but most neighborhoods are expected to stay dry through midweek.
How To Stay Safe
Limit strenuous outdoor activities between about 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks in shady or air‑conditioned spots. Never leave children or pets in parked cars, even for a short time, and check on elderly or medically vulnerable neighbors. Watch for signs of heat illness: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, or nausea. Anyone showing these symptoms should move to a cooler place, and medical help should be sought if symptoms worsen.
Cooling Centers And Resources
The city maintains a rotating list of staffed cooling centers along with an interactive Heat Relief Map. For current locations and hours, check the NOLA Ready Heat Relief Map. Common sites that appear on the list include Andrew P. Sanchez & Copelin‑Byrd Multi‑Service Center (1616 Fats Domino Ave.) and Central City Library (2020 Jackson Ave.), but hours can change with each advisory day, so confirm details before heading out. The forecast will be monitored, and this story will be updated if the National Weather Service issues formal heat headlines for Orleans Parish.
