New Orleans is starting Thursday, September 3, with a high around 92 expected. The heat index could reach 105 during the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms may develop between noon and 5 p.m., putting a brief dent in outdoor plans.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans expects scattered storms Thursday, with locally heavy rain, frequent lightning and isolated strong wind gusts possible in the most intense cells. The overall rain chance is about 30%, while forecast winds remain light from the east at 5 mph or less.
Friday Brings A Wetter Setup
Friday, September 4, looks more unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms possible as early as the morning and a 50% chance of rain overall. The high should reach about 89 degrees.
Storms become more likely Friday, with showers and thunderstorms possible. Even with clouds and rain around, the air will remain warm and humid.
Storm Chances Stay Elevated Through Labor Day
Saturday, September 5, brings another hot and stormy setup, with a high in the lower to middle 90s and an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms. A slight chance of thunderstorms remains possible before 7 p.m., followed by partly cloudy conditions.
Sunday, September 6, should reach the low to middle 90s with afternoon precipitation probabilities of roughly 50% to 60%, while Labor Day on Monday, September 7, brings another round of likely showers and thunderstorms. The unsettled pattern becomes a bit drier Tuesday, with highs near 90 and convection more isolated to widely scattered, while rain chances increase Wednesday.
Heat And Lightning Remain The Main Concerns
The weather service says the overall severe-weather threat is low, but a few storms could produce damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning or brief periods of heavy rain through the weekend. The status of watches or warnings for the area Thursday morning is not specified.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, a report titled “Heat-Related Illness in New Orleans: Review of Emergency Department Data from 2010-2020” examines local emergency-department data. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the state is developing a surveillance system that tracks heat-related illnesses, injuries and fatalities among workers and residents.
Anyone spending time outside should take breaks, drink plenty of water and move indoors when thunder approaches. With storms arriving on and off through the holiday weekend, keeping an eye on the sky may be just as important as keeping an eye on the grill.
