New Orleans is forecast to get one more warm, sunny day Thursday before cooler air settles in for the weekend. The high should reach about 75 degrees under clear skies, with a northwest breeze; temperatures are expected to fall into the mid-60s by late afternoon.
Cooler air arrives Friday
Tonight is expected to remain clear, with a low near 54 and light north winds. Friday should be sunny, with a high around 67, followed by a low near 48 Friday night. Saturday looks coolest, with sunshine and a high near 62.
The weekend is expected to stay dry overall, though Sunday will be breezier, with east winds of 10 to 15 mph and stronger gusts possible Sunday night. A slight chance of showers is forecast after midnight Sunday, with a better chance of rain Monday. Monday’s high should be about 64, with northeast winds near 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph.
Dry conditions raise fire concerns
The National Weather Service warns that dry air and ongoing drought could increase fire-spread concerns in northern parts of the region through Sunday. Residents in areas under burn bans should not burn outdoors; others should use caution with flames. Dry fuels have been a concern in other Louisiana fire episodes: in a September 6, 2023, update on the separate Tiger Island Fire, InciWeb reported that fuels remained very dry and could burn until more moisture arrived. That past incident provides context for why dry fuels matter, but it does not establish that a fire is occurring now or indicate a trend in fire frequency.
A dated snapshot of regional precipitation
The precipitation figures available here offer a snapshot, not a week-to-week measure of drought coverage. WGNO reported on October 29, 2026, citing the National Weather Service, that New Orleans had received 53.95 inches of precipitation since January 1, compared with a normal 54.29 inches; areas north and west of the city were worse off. Those totals put the city slightly below its cited normal, but do not by themselves describe current drought coverage or establish how conditions have changed over time.
