New Orleans is starting Wednesday, September 2, with clear skies, a muggy feel and temperatures around 81 degrees, but the calm morning is on a timer. The city is headed for a high near 91, with scattered showers and thunderstorms most likely from late morning through the afternoon and a heat index that could reach 105.
Storm Chances Build Before Lunch
According to the National Weather Service, rain chances rise between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 2, with a 40% chance overall. Most spots could see less than a tenth of an inch, but any thunderstorm may still bring a brief heavy downpour, frequent lightning or a sudden gust of wind.
East winds will stay light at 0 to 5 mph, and skies should remain mostly sunny between storm cells. The scattered nature of the forecast means one neighborhood could get soaked while another stays mostly dry, a familiar bit of New Orleans weather mischief.
Quiet Night, Wetter Finish Ahead
Wednesday night should turn mostly clear, with a low around 77 and only a small rain chance. Thursday, September 3, brings another high near 92, with storms possible after 1 p.m. and a heat index again as high as 105.
Friday, September 4, is the bigger rain pivot, with showers and thunderstorms forecast through the day, an 80% chance of precipitation and a high near 90. Storm chances remain high Saturday, September 5, while Sunday, September 6, and Labor Day on Monday, September 7, keep the familiar Gulf Coast formula of sunshine, heat and afternoon thunder.
Heat And Lightning Still Matter
The broader outlook from the National Weather Service says scattered to numerous storms may continue through the weekend. While the overall severe-weather threat is low, a few storms could become strong, producing damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and locally heavy rain.
Anyone heading outdoors Wednesday afternoon should keep water nearby, plan breaks in shade or air conditioning and move indoors when thunder is audible. No watches, warnings or advisories are listed for the area Wednesday morning, but the combination of heat, humidity and lightning still calls for caution.
The latest outlook brings a wetter Friday-through-weekend stretch than the previous update; Hoodline's earlier forecast had already flagged the city's hot, storm-prone pattern.
