New Orleans, LA – The Gulf air feels heavy and damp across southern Louisiana this morning, a classic setup for late-fall change. As Thanksgiving travel ramps up across the region, skies will start mostly calm before showers and isolated thunderstorms push through Tuesday — bringing brief slowdowns but clearing beautifully by midweek.
According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, scattered rain will develop late Monday night and continue into Tuesday morning as a weak front passes through the state. Rainfall totals are expected to stay light, but bursts of thunder and pockets of downpour could cause temporary delays for travelers heading toward Baton Rouge or up I-55. Winds may gust near 20 mph through Tuesday afternoon before calmer air returns by evening.
By Wednesday, the front shifts east, leaving behind partly sunny skies and cooler, drier air. Temperatures will dip to the upper 40s Wednesday night, then rebound under brilliant sunshine for Thanksgiving Day. Highs near 63°F will make for a crisp but comfortable holiday — ideal for family gatherings, parades, and early shoppers hitting Black Friday sales.
Late-week travelers should still monitor developing systems to the west. Another moisture band could return by Saturday night, bringing new chances for rain into Sunday. For now, though, Louisiana’s Thanksgiving outlook looks near perfect once Tuesday’s front clears out.
Five-Day Outlook for New Orleans, LA:
Tuesday: Showers, high 82°F, low 62°F.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, high 71°F, low 48°F.
Thursday (Thanksgiving): Sunny, high 63°F, low 49°F.
Friday: Sunny, high 63°F.
Saturday–Sunday: Increasing clouds, 30% chance of showers, highs mid-70s.
