Louisiana wakes to glowing taillights fading into gray as dense fog settles across southeast portions of the state this Christmas morning. In the New Orleans metro, visibility has dropped to near a quarter mile, forcing drivers to slow along familiar routes near the lakefront and river corridors.
According to the National Weather Service in New Orleans, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect through midmorning for much of southeast Louisiana and parts of southern Mississippi. Calm winds and saturated air are allowing fog to thicken, especially near waterways and low-lying neighborhoods. Travel along I-10, I-610, U.S. 90, and the Causeway may be hazardous until fog lifts.
Motorists are urged to use low-beam headlights and leave extra following distance. Visibility can change rapidly, even within a few blocks. Conditions gradually improve later this morning as clouds thin and temperatures rise into the lower 70s.
Once fog clears, the pattern turns quiet and warm. Friday and Saturday feature mostly sunny skies with highs climbing into the mid to upper 70s. To be fair, it feels far from Winter, and post-Christmas travel conditions look favorable through most of the weekend across southeast Louisiana.
That calm breaks late Sunday. Clouds increase during the day, and rain chances rise Sunday night into early Monday. Wet roads could slow evening travel, especially as winds begin to shift behind a passing front.
By Monday, cooler air settles in. Highs fall into the mid-60s, and north winds strengthen through the afternoon. By Tuesday morning, lows dip into the 30s, bringing frost potential to areas north of the city and a noticeable chill across the region.
Plan extra time for travel this morning, enjoy the warm stretch, and prepare for cooler, wetter conditions as the holiday travel window closes. Additional Weather Alerts may be issued if fog or rain timing changes.
