New Orleans starts Friday clear and already warm, with temperatures around 82°F before sunrise and humidity near 79%. Skies should stay mostly sunny through late morning, but the city’s calm start gives way to a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, with a high near 89°F.
The National Weather Service puts rain chances around 30% today, with east winds generally 0 to 10 mph. No watches or warnings are posted, but the strongest storms could bring a quick half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain.
Afternoon Storms Could Make A Mess
Storms are most likely from around noon through late afternoon, when heat and humidity peak. Forecasters say storm motion will be slow Friday and Saturday, so a few spots could pick up 2 to 3 inches in an hour or two, with localized flooding possible in poorly drained and low-lying areas.
Muggy Weekend Ahead
Friday night should turn mostly clear after a slight chance of storms before 8 p.m., with a low near 78°F. Saturday stays mostly sunny and hotter, topping out near 90°F, but the heat index could reach 105°F before a few afternoon storms develop.
Sunday and Monday look stormier, with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday and 50% Monday. Highs should remain near 90 to 91°F, while nighttime lows hover around 79°F.
Heat Lingers Into Next Week
The summer pattern sticks around through Thursday, with highs climbing from about 91°F Tuesday and Wednesday to 93°F Thursday. Afternoon storms remain possible each day, but the bigger day-to-day issue is the combination of low wind, heavy humidity and heat-index readings that could flirt with advisory levels by midweek.
For outdoor plans, the safest bet is to get strenuous work done early, keep water nearby and move indoors when thunder arrives. Even without an official heat advisory Friday, a feels-like temperature near 105°F can still be hard on people, pets and anyone working or exercising outside.
