textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1226 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026

- Hot temperatures are expected for much of the forecast. Highs mainly in the upper 90s to the low 100s with heat index values climbing into the lower to mid 110s. Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for today and Monday. Beyond Monday Heat Advisories are anticipated. The impact of the afternoon highs will be exacerbated by the slightly higher than normal overnight lows.

SHORT TERM

(Now through Wednesday night) Issued at 1226 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026

High pressure continues to dominate the weather. Hot and dry continue to be the headlines. Today and tomorrow are looking to be the hottest days we've had in this stretch, so the heat index continues high and results in an Extreme Heat Warning for today and tomorrow. We do have a bit of cooling coming Tuesday and Wednesday, on the order of a couple of degrees, and this will reduce the heat impact to a Heat Advisory level.

LONG TERM

(Thursday through Saturday night) Issued at 1226 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026

By Thursday we see a low pressure trough begin intruding into the area from the north. It begins as a weakness in the current ridging and eventually reaches at least near our southwest MS counties. This will bring a touch of relief from the heat, but don't get your hopes up because highs will still be in the mid-90s. The weakness will also bring a bit higher chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, perhaps showing PoPs in the 40-50% range.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1226 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026

VFR conditions across the area for the duration of the forecast period. Slight chances of thunderstorms do exist this afternoon for MSY/HUM/NEW/ASD/GPT, but are below the PROB30 coding thresholds.

MARINE

Issued at 1226 PM CDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Benign marine conditions will continue through the forecast period with high pressure mostly being in control. Isolated nightly storms will be possible mainly toward sunrise. For the winds, expect variable direction through midweek locking in to easterly from midweek through the end of the period at or less than 10 knots outside any storms. Waveheights will remain in the 1-2 foot range.

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

LA...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for LAZ034>037- 039-046>048-056>058-064-070-071-076>087-089>100.

Extreme Heat Warning from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Monday for LAZ034>037-039-046>048-056>058-064-070-071-076>087-089>100.

GM...None. MS...Extreme Heat Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for MSZ068>071- 077-083>088.

Extreme Heat Warning from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Monday for MSZ068>071-077-083>088.

GM...None.