textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 634 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

- Rough marine conditions will persist through the weekend. Inexperienced mariners and those operating small craft should avoid navigating in rough conditions.

- Sunny skies and warm temperatures are on tap at least through the weekend. With a lot of outside activities like sports and festivals, sun and temperature related health risks are present. Make sure you are using sunscreen and drinking enough water.

- Potential exists for development of dense fog toward sunrise Sunday as well.

UPDATE

Issued at 634 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

Interesting forecast regarding fog development overnight. Mid- afternoon dew points were in the lower to middle 50s for much of the Interstate 10/12 corridors. However, forecast lows are well above that point, so while we are expected to have clear skies and light winds, confidence in fog development isn't as high as last night. We'll see how hourly temperature trends respond after sunset, but there are no imminent plans for any advisories.

SHORT TERM

(Now through Sunday) Issued at 1243 AM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

Surface high pressure continues to dominate the local weather. This will bring sunshine and above normal high temperatures that will begin reaching into the mid 80s as we move into the new week. Overnight lows will also be on the above-normal side ranging into the mid 60s. Supporting all this is developing upper level high pressure centered over the Gulf.

LONG TERM

(Sunday night through Friday) Issued at 1243 AM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

Surface and upper level high pressure continue to dominate through the long term. Unfortunately, this means the next rainfall is not in the foreseeable future, so our dry period and drought conditions will continue. The one possible exception to this is the possibility of a shortwave on Thursday that could provide enough lift to generate some showers. Temperatures will continue to be above normal with highs creeping to near 90 in places.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 634 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

All forecast terminals VFR and are expected to remain that way through at least 06z. Main concern overnight will be radiation fog development potential. As noted in the update section above, afternoon dew points vs forecast overnight lows would argue against development. If there's going to be favored terminals, it would be at KGPT/KASD/KHDC/KMCB. The fact that those areas can get cooler than expected in regimes like the current one means it's not a slam dunk decision. Will carry several hours of MVFR visibilities at those terminals from about 10z to 13z with TEMPO IFR, but if temperatures get cooler than forecast, we'll need to amend to LIFR or VLIFR. As soon as we get any heating/mixing Sunday morning, the fog will dissipate, with VFR the remainder of the day.

MARINE

Issued at 1243 AM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

Strong surface high pressure from the northeast gulf into the Atlantic continues to produce a moderate easterly to southeasterly fetch over the northern Gulf. Rough marine conditions with winds at 15+ kt are present and expected to continue in our western offshore waters through the weekend prompting issuance of Small Craft Exercise Caution headlines. Conditions will improve slightly into the new work week as winds ease to around 10kt.

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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