Weather
Louisiana Thanksgiving Travel: Storm Concerns Nov. 18–24
New Orleans, LA – Thanksgiving travelers across Louisiana could face an increasingly active weather pattern as precipitation chances rise heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain
By Caleb Mercer · 2026-11-11T05:32:20.601Z
New Orleans, LA – Thanksgiving travelers across Louisiana could face an increasingly active weather pattern as precipitation chances rise heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain, thunderstorms and potentially hazardous highway conditions during the busy holiday travel period.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across Louisiana and much of the central and southern United States from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The widespread precipitation pattern extends from the western United States through the central Plains, Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast. Portions of the nation's Heartland reach 70–80% probabilities of above normal precipitation, while Louisiana falls within the broader area favored for wetter than normal conditions.
New Orleans, Metairie and Southeastern Louisiana New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Slidell, Covington and surrounding communities could experience periods of unsettled weather as the wetter pattern develops.
Travelers using Interstate 10, Interstate 12 and Interstate 55 should monitor forecasts for rainfall, possible thunderstorms and reduced visibility during heavier precipitation.
Baton Rouge, Hammond and the Capital Region Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Prairieville and Hammond could also experience increased precipitation during the preholiday period.
Rainfall could affect travel along Interstate 10, Interstate 12 and Interstate 110, particularly if heavier showers develop during peak travel hours.
Lafayette, Lake Charles and Southwestern Louisiana Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas and surrounding communities are included in the broader wetter than normal outlook.
Periods of rain and thunderstorms could develop depending on storm tracks and moisture moving across the Gulf Coast.
Interstate 10 and Interstate 49 will be important travel corridors to monitor.
Shreveport, Monroe and Northern Louisiana Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Ruston and Natchitoches could experience periods of unsettled weather as the central Plains precipitation pattern extends southward.
Northern Louisiana could also see changing temperatures as weather systems move through the region. However, snow, sleet or freezing rain would require substantially colder conditions than the broader outlook currently favors.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Storms Disrupt Holiday Plans? The increased precipitation signal arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising questions about possible travel disruptions across Louisiana.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and reduced highway visibility are the primary weather concerns to monitor. Winter precipitation remains a lower confidence possibility and is not specifically forecast by the outlook.
NOAA's 8–14 day precipitation outlook measures the probability of above normal precipitation, not the probability of an individual severe storm, winter storm or flooding event.
With November 18–24 extending into the beginning of Thanksgiving week, Louisiana residents should monitor updated forecasts for storm timing, rainfall amounts and potential travel impacts.