textproduct: New Orleans/Baton Rouge

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 626 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

- Hazardous marine conditions will persist through tomorrow morning. Inexperienced mariners and those operating small craft should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions. - After this afternoon's high tide cycle ends, the threat for coastal flooding will diminish.

- 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.

SHORT TERM

(Now through Friday night) Issued at 1225 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Surface high pressure dominates the weather pattern. For the short term period we will be under the dome and then on the western periphery. This gives us sunny skies and above normal temperatures. Winds will remain out of the east but relax to fairly light speeds. /Schlotz/

LONG TERM

(Saturday through Wednesday night) Issued at 1225 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Sunday evening, upper ridging will extend from the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf northeastward to the coast of the Carolinas. By Wednesday, the ridge will be centered more over the eastern Gulf and Florida Peninsula. The tracks of shortwaves from the western trough are expected to remain northwest of our area through Wednesday. Surface high pressure will remain from near Bermuda to the Bahamas across much of the northern Gulf. This will generally keep the winds coming out of the east or southeast through the period. For most of the period, forecast soundings show only limited moisture above 850 mb. Precipitable water values remain near or below 1 inch for much of that time, with 1 inch being pretty much right at the daily mean. Even the wettest forecast soundings only briefly reach the 75th percentile (1.25 inches).

This pattern should keep most of the area dry through the period. Although one or two showers could occur on pretty much any day, the only days that will have a mention in the grids are next Wednesday/Thursday. Rainfall amounts during the long term period are expected to be less than one-tenth of an inch for most areas, with a totally dry period not out of the question. Well above normal temperatures (5-10F above) will continue with highs mainly in the 80s, although the immediate coast might fall a degree or two short depending on timing of the daily sea breeze. Overnight lows will mainly be in the 60s. (RW/Schlotz)

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 626 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

All forecast terminals VFR at forecast issuance and expected to remain so for most of the overnight period. There is at least some potential for MVFR ceilings to develop before sunrise Friday, continuing until heating causes cloud bases to lift above FL030, which should occur by late morning.

MARINE

Issued at 1225 PM CDT Thu Apr 9 2026

Surface high pressure continues to drive easterly winds. Winds up to 20 kt and seas at 7-9 ft will continue through tomorrow morning before dropping slightly. Through the weekend Exercise Caution headlines will be likely at times.

LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

LA...Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for LAZ058- 060-069-070-076>078-080-082-084-087.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for GMZ530-532- 534-536-538-557.

Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM CDT Friday for GMZ550-552-555- 570-572-575-577.

MS...Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MSZ086.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for GMZ532-534- 536-538-557.

Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM CDT Friday for GMZ552-555-570- 572-575-577.