New Orleans woke to clear skies and temperatures around 75 degrees Tuesday morning, with one more hot, sunny day ahead. The high should reach near 90 before readings ease back into the upper 80s later in the afternoon.
Clear Skies Hold Through Wednesday
Tuesday night will stay clear with a low around 75, followed by another sunny day Wednesday and a high near 89. East winds will generally run from 5 to 15 mph Wednesday, offering only a modest break from the heat.
Rain Chances Rise Thursday
Thursday marks the shift toward a wetter pattern, with a slight chance of showers in the morning and thunderstorms becoming more likely later in the day. The rain chance is expected to reach about 60%, while temperatures still climb near 89.
Stormy Stretch Takes Over The Weekend
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to become much more likely Friday through Sunday, with rain chances of 80% to 85% and daytime highs in the mid- to upper 80s. The National Weather Service says very heavy downpours are possible, which could create localized flash-flooding risks, particularly in urban areas and neighborhoods with poor drainage.
Heavy Rain and New Orleans’ Drainage System
The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans says intense rainstorms dropping more than an inch of water in an hour can outpace the drainage system and lead to street flooding until it catches up. That is a general infrastructure limit, not a prediction for this storm.
A separate event on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, brought extensive flash flooding to the New Orleans metro area, according to the National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge. That past event does not establish the rainfall or flooding impacts expected from this forecast.
Monday stays unsettled, with thunderstorms likely, a 63% rain chance and a cooler high near 82. No watches, warnings or advisories are currently listed, but anyone making outdoor plans should take advantage of Tuesday and Wednesday before the Gulf moisture moves back in.
