textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge
This forecast discussion was created in the public domain by the National Weather Service. It can be found in its original form here.
KEY MESSAGES
Updated at 616 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026
- Above normal temperatures will be in place through at least the middle of next week.
- No rain for at least a week.
SHORT TERM
(Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 922 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026
Current conditions in the upper levels have a strong dome of high pressure over southern California, Arizona, and northwest Mexico which is anchoring a broad high ridge over the entire western CONUS. The trough that brought us the cold weather a couple nights ago has moved east and its axis is just off the east coast. At the surface, high pressure is centered over the northern Gulf. This evening's balloon sounding shows a generally dry column of air, although the 0.6" PW is a tenth higher than this morning. The slightly moister air is indicative of the low level high pressure moving eastward and beginning to spin some moisture out of the Gulf and into our environment. However, the domination of upper level high pressure is keeping us warm and dry for the extent of this short term period. Temperatures tonight will be around the seasonal normals of overnight lows between 50-55 but will warm tomorrow to 8-10 degrees above normal daytime highs in the low 70s. Again, this pattern will hold through the weekend.
LONG TERM
(Sunday night through Thursday night) Issued at 922 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026
By the extended period the ridge and trough dominating conditions now through weekend will break down and become shallower, losing some of their strength and becoming a bit zonal. However, the same general placement will remain leaving us with much the same conditions as the short term. No rain and above normal temperatures will continue to be the story.
AVIATION
(12Z TAFS) Issued at 616 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026
VFR this taf cycle.
MARINE
Issued at 922 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026
Surface high pressure is centered just into the northern Gulf. This will keep wind generally light and variable for a couple more days. By this weekend, southwesterly flow will be come better established through Sunday. That ridge will then drift back north towards the northern Gulf again, resulting in subsiding winds and minimal wave/seas impacts through at least Wednesday.
LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
LA...None. GM...None. MS...None. GM...None.
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