Strong winds and heavy rains are still forecast for the New Orleans metro area through midday Sunday. Those storms will usher in a cold front that will send temperatures plunging into the 50s and 60s over the next few days.
The threat of tornadoes and large hail remains. However, that threat has diminished some. Strong straight-line winds and gusts will be our biggest threat, so make sure you tie down or bring inside any loose items you may have in your yard or on your patio. Rainfall in most of the New Orleans metro will total between one and two inches, but some areas will see heavy downpours, causing localized street flooding. As a result, the city of New Orleans is allowing neutral ground parking until 6 p.m. tonight.
Once the storms clear the area, temperatures will plummet almost immediately. We've already reached Sunday's high of 77°. By the time the evening arrives, that temperature will have dropped by at least 10 degrees. Overnight lows tonight will be in the mid-50s. Highs on Monday will be near the 65-degree mark.
By Tuesday, conditions begin to warm up, but the air will be noticibly drier than what we experienced last week. Highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the low-70s. French Quarter Festival weekend will be a nice one, with sunny, breezy, and pleasant conditions and high temperatures in the mid- to upper-70s.
SUNDAY:
100% chance rain and storms early. Heavy rain and strong storms possible. Mostly cloudy and breezy. Falling temperatures late. High: 76. Winds: S/NW 10-15 mph.
MONDAY:
Much cooler, less humid. Mostly cloudy, then clouds decreasing late. Breezy. Low: S 56, N 53. High: 65. Winds: NW 10-15 mph.
TUESDAY:
Mostly sunny and cool. Nice. Low: S 51, N 43. High: 71.
WEDNESDAY:
Plenty of sun. Pleasant. Low: S 54, N 46. High: 73.
THURSDAY:
Mostly sunny. Mild, nice. Low: S 56, N 51. High: 78.
FRIDAY:
Partly cloudy and breezy. Warmer. Nice. Low: S 60, N 56. High: 77.
SATURDAY:
Mostly sunny. Mild, nice. Low: S 57, N 50. High: 76.
