New Orleans is heading into a soggy weekend, with widespread rain and embedded thunderstorms expected through Sunday. The National Weather Service forecasts 4 to 6 inches of rain across metro New Orleans and coastal Louisiana, with locally higher amounts possible, especially along and south of Interstate 10. The heaviest rain may cause localized flooding; the latest regional forecast calls for residents to remain alert.
Storms Arrive Saturday With Heavy Rain Possible
Saturday's high is near 84 degrees, with a 90% chance of rain Saturday night. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are expected after 8 a.m., with east winds around 5 to 10 mph and a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible in New Orleans. The National Weather Service’s point forecast gives those city-specific totals.
The National Weather Service says 3 to 6 inches could fall across metro New Orleans and coastal Louisiana through Sunday, with locally higher amounts, especially along and south of Interstate 10. Coastal Mississippi could see 6 to 10 inches and is under a flash-flood watch; the agency says no flood watch is in effect for metro New Orleans. Slow-moving or repeated storms could still cause localized street flooding here. The regional forecast discussion outlines the differing risks.
As a separate historical example, Courthouse News Service reported that city calculations put rainfall in some parts of New Orleans at 8 to 10 inches in as few as four hours during the Aug. 5, 2017 flooding event. Those totals describe that past event, not this weekend’s forecast.
Sunday Stays Stormy Before A Gradual Drying Trend
Showers and thunderstorms remain likely Sunday, with a 90% chance of rain, a high near 82 and another three-quarters to 1 inch of rainfall possible. Sunday night keeps a 50% chance of storms and a low around 74, so the weekend’s wet pattern may linger well after sunset. The National Weather Service’s New Orleans forecast gives those probabilities and temperatures.
A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for parts of southeast Louisiana until 10 a.m. CDT Saturday as larger tide ranges and onshore winds raise the risk of minor flooding along some southeast-facing shorelines. Anyone encountering water covering a roadway should turn around rather than attempt to drive through it. The National Weather Service lists the advisory and its expiration for New Orleans.
Residents can report street flooding and drainage problems to the city through 311, which routes reports to the Department of Public Works for assessment. The city says to call 911 to alert public-safety agencies to standing water or flooded streets when emergency response may be affected. New Orleans’ reporting guidance
Rain Chances Ease As Northeast Winds Take Over
Monday and Tuesday look less intense in the New Orleans point forecast, though showers remain possible, especially near and south of Interstate 10, as the regional outlook indicates.
By Wednesday and Thursday, the forecast turns partly to mostly sunny, with highs near 81 to 82 and northeast winds increasing to 10 to 15 mph or more. Rain chances may tick back up Friday, when breezier conditions and another round of showers and thunderstorms could complicate late-week plans.
