textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1013 PM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

- A Freeze Warning is in effect again for tonight. This is for areas mainly along and north/east of a line from McComb to Slidell to Pascagoula. Lows could drop to as low as 29/30 and most locations should only be at or slightly below freezing for 1-3 hours.

- Warmer than average temperatures will return by the end of the week.

SHORT TERM

(Tonight through Thursday night) Issued at 1013 PM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

Temperatures tonight will be approaching or below freezing for the easternmost areas due to strong cold air advection continuing across the area. A Freeze Warning is in effect for coastal MS areas. Take actions to protect plants from these cold temperatures, especially now that things are greening up again.

Wednesday through Friday, high pressure will build over the area and a warming trend will begin. Conditions will be dry overall as a result with little to no rain expected in the next few days. Highs will be near 80 degrees by the end of the week as southerly flow returns to bring warmer and more humid air into the region. Generally, a pleasant week ahead with mild temperatures and dry weather. MSW

LONG TERM

(Friday night through Tuesday night) Issued at 1013 PM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

High pressure rebuilds over the area for the weekend and early next week. Dry conditions are expected to continue across the region. Southerly surface winds will continue to advect warmer and humid air into the environment. High temperatures will be in the low 80s across the area this weekend and early next week. Generally, expect dry weather and mild to warm temperatures. MSW

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1013 PM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

VFR conditions prevail at all area airports and will persist throughout the forecast period. MSW

MARINE

Issued at 1013 PM CDT Tue Mar 17 2026

High pressure continues to settle in over the area with winds relaxing. This high pressure will slowly work to the northeast leading to generally light and variable winds especially near shore winds with light easterly winds over the outer water Wednesday night. Thursday we will see high pressure start to settle back down into the north-central and northeastern Gulf before it finally becomes situated over the eastern Gulf this weekend. This will continue to lead to light and variable winds Thursday and then a slow but steady turn to southerly and southwesterly winds (onshore flow) this weekend. The light winds will lead to low waves/seas 2-3 ft or less through the forecast.

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

LA...Freeze Warning until 8 AM CDT Wednesday for LAZ039-079.

GM...None. MS...Freeze Warning until 8 AM CDT Wednesday for MSZ070-071-077- 083>085.

GM...None.