Good Morning, New Orleans! Calm weather is expected to continue across the area through Thursday before rain returns to end the week.
Heading into Thursday, cloud cover and humidity will increase throughout the day as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico pushes into the region. Clouds return this afternoon on both sides of the lake as temperatures gradually fall from the upper 70s this afternoon into the 50s overnight. Patchy fog will be possible once more Friday morning but not as much as earlier this week. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Friday with scattered activity starting late in the morning. Off and on rain can be expected through the evening and into early Saturday morning.
The Storm Prediction Center has outlined the New Orleans metro and areas north under a Level 2 risk for severe weather. The main threats in any strong or severe storms that develop will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
There is also a risk for localized flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.
Rainfall totals of 0.5 to 1 inch are expected along the immediate Gulf Coast, with locations along and north of the I-10 corridor likely seeing 1 to 2 inches. Some spots may see isolated higher amounts with any slow-moving storms.
The rain clears out by sunrise Saturday, but clouds will likely stick around through the evening. High temperatures over the weekend will be slightly cooler, with low 70s Saturday and 60s on Sunday.
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