textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 947 PM CST Sun Jan 4 2026

- The biggest concern through Thursday will be fog potential. Patchy fog will be possible each morning through midweek, with more widespread fog potential Thursday morning. Plan ahead for possible travel delays due to low visibility during the morning commute hours.

- Another cold front will approach the area Friday, bringing showers and thunderstorms to the area. It's too soon to say whether this front will bring a threat of severe weather, and residents of the area should continue to monitor the forecast for updates.

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Tuesday night) Issued at 947 PM CST Sun Jan 4 2026

Tonight through Tuesday night, high pressure will build over the area. Southerly flow will help to reintroduce warmer and more humid air into the region. Looking at the models, no rain is expected for the short term forecast. Generally, warm temperatures with highs in the mid 70s for Monday and especially Tuesday. Patchy fog will be a concern in the mornings Monday and Tuesday for several hours around daybreak, especially if the winds are light. Fog conditions should improve by midmorning Monday and Tuesday, respectively. MSW

LONG TERM

(Wednesday night through Sunday night) Issued at 947 PM CST Sun Jan 4 2026

Wednesday and Thursday, conditions will be quite similar to the beginning of the week. High pressure continues to build over the area. Southerly flow continues over the region as well, advecting warmer and more humid air. As a result, temperatures will be quite warm with highs approaching 80 degrees Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Patchy fog will also continue to be a concern Wednesday and Thursday mornings respectively, especially if the winds are lighter than expected.

A cold front will be moving through the area Friday into Saturday, enhancing rain chances for the area. Generally, model trends have been a little slower today, prolonging the system more, but in decent agreement with each other regarding the timing. Primarily, the bulk of the rainfall will be Friday night into Saturday morning with the current trends. That could definitely change as we get closer to the weekend. Conditions do look favorable to see potentially strong to severe storms, but it is still pretty far out for many tangible details. And a lot of the risk will depend on how things develop over the course of the week. We will keep monitoring and updating for changes. MSW

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 947 PM CST Sun Jan 4 2026

MVFR conditions prevail at all area airports. Conditions at most area airports will drop to IFR conditions late tonight through midmorning due to low ceilings and visibilities from fog. Conditions will improve to VFR by midmorning tomorrow. MSW

MARINE

Issued at 947 PM CST Sun Jan 4 2026

Generally benign marine conditions are forecast through midweek with winds less than 10 kts and waves/seas 2-3 ft or lower. As the pressure gradient tightens Thursday ahead of a cold front, winds and seas will respond accordingly, but should remain below headline criteria through the end of the work week. Biggest concern through the work week will be fog potential. Greatest threat currently appears to be Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

MCB 47 68 55 75 / 0 0 0 0 BTR 48 71 57 78 / 0 0 0 0 ASD 48 69 54 76 / 0 0 0 0 MSY 52 71 58 78 / 0 0 0 0 GPT 50 68 56 72 / 0 0 0 0 PQL 47 69 53 74 / 0 0 0 0

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

LA...None. GM...None. MS...None. GM...None.