textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 616 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

- A strong cold front is currently moving through the region, bringing cooler and much drier conditions along with moderate northerly winds. Impacts of front passage below.

- First impact is elevated fire weather concerns. The Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning for all of southern MS and portions of southeast LA Saturday.

- Windy conditions behind the front will lead to hazardous marine conditions. A Gale Warning is in effect for all of the coastal waters beginning this evening through Saturday evening. A Small Craft Advisory follows the Gale Warning and marine headlines may be needed for much of the coastal waters into the new work week.

SHORT TERM

(Now through Monday night) Issued at 1257 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

The forecast looks to be on track with a strong cold front approaching the area, currently located just outside our CWA. As this front moves in we will see a rapid increase in the winds, out of the north, with many areas gusting up to 30-35 mph. A Wind Advisory is in effect through 3PM tomorrow for this reason. These winds will start to decrease over land Saturday evening. In addition to the wind, a surge of drier air will move in which when combined with the gusty winds and ongoing drought conditions will create dangerous fire weather conditions. RH values will drop down into the low ~30% for a good portion of the area. The Fire Weather Watch previously in effect has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning for all of southern Mississippi and portions of southeast Louisiana.

Outside of the breezy winds and dry air, this cold front will bring our first real surge of cooler air! By the time people are waking up Saturday morning most areas will be in the low to upper 50s. Afternoon highs Saturday only reach the low to mid 70s for the entire area and with evening temperatures quickly dropping, it may be time to break out the gumbo pots! Sunday morning lows will be the coolest of the period, with many northern areas all the way down into the mid to upper 40s. Sunday afternoon highs will still feel very comfortable in the low to mid 70s. By Monday we will start to see highs creep back towards the 80 degree mark.

LONG TERM

(Tuesday through Thursday night) Issued at 1257 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

Heading into the long term period, an upper level ridge will start to dominate the region. This allows temperatures to start a warming trend, with highs back into the 80s by mid week. Fire weather could continue to be an issue in the long term period as RH values remain very low, even down into the ~20% range, though winds over land won't be nearly as high as following the front. With the lighter winds, not expecting any headlines but it is something to watch. Otherwise, following today's front the entire forecast period shows no precipitation which will likely lead to worsening drought conditions.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 616 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

A cold front is moving through the region, which is causing winds to pick up in intensity from the north across the region. Expect some gusts to approach or even exceed 30kts at times, especially southshore terminals. Winds will remain elevated through Saturday before gradually relaxing a bit just beyond the scope of this cycle. Otherwise, sky conditions should remain VFR through the cycle. (Frye)

MARINE

Issued at 1257 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

A strong cold front will move through late today and tonight, bringing strong northerly gales and rapidly building seas. A gale warning has been issued beginning this evening and continuing through Saturday evening. As winds begin to slowly ease a bit over some of the protected waters Saturday gale headlines are replaced with advisories into Sunday. Winds will gradually turn easterly Sunday and continue to slowly ease to around 20kt late Sunday. These conditions are expected to last into the start of the new work week.

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

LA...Wind Advisory until 3 PM CDT Saturday for LAZ034>037-039-046>048- 056>058-064-070-071-076>087-089>100.

Red Flag Warning from 9 AM to 8 PM CDT Saturday for LAZ034>037- 039-046>048-056-057-071-076-079>086.

GM...Gale Warning until midnight CDT Saturday night for GMZ529- 531>536-541-543-551-553-554-557-570-572-575-577.

Small Craft Advisory from midnight Saturday night to 7 AM CDT Sunday for GMZ529-531>536-541-543-551-553-554-557-570-572- 575-577.

MS...Wind Advisory until 3 PM CDT Saturday for MSZ068>071-077-083>088.

Red Flag Warning from 9 AM to 8 PM CDT Saturday for MSZ068>071- 077-080>082.

GM...Gale Warning until midnight CDT Saturday night for GMZ531>536- 541-543-551-553-554-557-570-572-575-577.

Small Craft Advisory from midnight Saturday night to 7 AM CDT Sunday for GMZ531>536-541-543-551-553-554-557-570-572-575- 577.