Muggy Morning, Thunderous Afternoon, New Orleans Braces for Lightning, Gusty Storms

New Orleans woke Thursday, August 27, under cloudy skies and a heavy, 94%-humid blanket, with temperatures around 75 degrees. The day is expected to turn stormy by afternoon, when showers and thunderstorms become likely and could briefly knock temperatures from the upper 80s into the low 80s.

Afternoon Storms Could Bring Lightning And Gusts

On Thursday, a slight chance of rain before 7 a.m. will give way to more scattered activity between 7 and 10 a.m., followed by likely showers and thunderstorms later in the day. The National Weather Service in New Orleans puts the overall rain chance at 70%, with a quarter- to half-inch possible in wetter spots.

The most active window looks to be mid- to late afternoon, with hourly rain chances rising to 74% from 3 to 5 p.m. A few storms could turn strong, with damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and brief heavy rain the main concerns, according to the National Weather Service. No watches, warnings or advisories were listed for the area in the latest forecast.

Friday Stays Unsettled Before Weekend Heat Returns

Friday, August 28, brings another chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 88 and a 50% rain chance. Saturday looks mostly sunny early, but storms could develop after 1 p.m. as the high reaches 89.

Sunday and Monday look warmer, around 90 and 91 degrees, with storms likely and rain chances near 60%. Tuesday and Wednesday remain hot near 91, with lower but still meaningful storm chances around 40%, so outdoor plans may need a little flexibility.

The latest outlook follows Hoodline's earlier forecast, which had already flagged Thursday as the wettest day of the workweek. The newest update is a little cooler but puts more emphasis on the immediate possibility of strong afternoon storms and heavy rain.

Heat Relief Comes With A Humidity Tax

More cloud cover and rain should keep Thursday from becoming another high-heat day, but the weather service says heat index values may still approach advisory levels before storms develop. Anyone heading out should hydrate, take breaks in shade or air conditioning, and move indoors when thunder is audible.