textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 502 AM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

- Small Craft Advisories in effect through Tuesday and likely will need to be extended for much of the local waters through the workweek. - A prolonged period of strong easterly winds over the north- central and northeastern Gulf increases the coastal flood threat on east facing shorelines Tuesday through late week.

SHORT TERM

(Now through Thursday) Issued at 113 AM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

The frontal boundary that passed through the region early Sunday resides just south of the Gulf coast. Along this feature, a few showers have been occurring. This will likely continue especially as an H5 vort/impulse moves east within the westerly flow aloft. This feature will help push the surface front further downstream later today and early this evening...with shower activity shifting southeast away from the region. Behind the impulse a drier northwest flow develops aloft.

At the surface a strong high pressure will be moving eastward through the Great Lakes Region through the period and eventually off the New England Coast by midweek. This will keep pressure gradient rather tight. Moderate northerly and northeasterly winds will slowly transition to a more easterly direction as the high moves eastward. This will have two local impacts. First, with an easterly quasi onshore flow, right along the immediate coast temperatures may be held down just a bit due to the cooler water surface. Secondly, as easterly winds continue with a longer fetch, minor coastal flooding issues are becoming increasingly likely to develop going into midweek with the best potential during high tide cycles Wednesday and Thursday. With the persistent easterly flow, water will begin to also pile into the lakes leaving easterly facing shorelines and tidal lakes likely to see higher than normal tides. With low level moisture increasing by midweek, showers and a few thunderstorms similar to last week will be possible during the late morning through early evening hours (during peak heating). Otherwise, away from the coast, winds will not be as breezy and temperatures will begin to modestly increase Tuesday and especially Wednesday and Thursday. (Frye)

LONG TERM

(Thursday Night through Saturday) Issued at 113 AM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

Moderate to strong onshore flow will persist through at least the Friday leading to continued coastal flooding concerns. Those who live in low lying coastal areas should continue to monitor the forecast for updates regarding potential impacts. Winds will finally begin to ease over the weekend, coincident with a transition from the spring tide cycle to neap tide cycle by Monday and Tuesday. This should result in easing impacts, though it could take a few extra days for water to drain from some of the more protected areas.

Otherwise, mid level high pressure will generally dominate the area through the period leading to warmer than normal temperatures and limited rain chances. (DM)

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 539 AM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

Mostly VFR conditions outside of HUM where some morning showers will be possible. These conditions will eventually improve in time. Otherwise, the primary story will be gusty northeasterly winds, especially closer to coastal locations. Winds apart from NEW should decrease shortly after sunset this evening. (Frye)

MARINE

Issued at 113 AM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

Hazardous marine conditions are ongoing across the local waters and will likely continue through Tuesday and beyond as strong pressure gradient from a strong high pressure over the Great Lakes and northwest Atlantic lingers. Eventually, north or northeasterly winds will transition to a moderate to strong easterly direction by midweek as the high pressure begins to finally spread east. Winds and seas are forecast to remain hazardous with only a slight decrease in winds possibly toward the end of the forecast period, however, Small Craft or cautionary headlines remain probable going into the next upcoming weekend. (Frye)

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

LA...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for GMZ530-532- 534.

Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM CDT Tuesday for GMZ536-538-550- 552-555-557-570-572-575-577.

MS...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for GMZ532-534.

Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM CDT Tuesday for GMZ538-550-552- 555-557-570-572-575-577.