Flooding rain and a "peek of fall" on the way for New Orleans
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New Orleans will get a taste of beautiful fall weather this weekend, but we have to get through a week of heavy rain first, the National Weather Service says.
Why it matters: The city could get up to 8 inches of rain through Friday night from the remnants of a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico.
The big picture: Heavy rain is expected beginning Wednesday, with rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour possible, NWS says.
- It will likely lead to flash flooding on streets and low-lying areas. The greatest threat is on Thursday, NWS says.
- A flood watch is in effect from 7pm Tuesday through Friday night.
- Check the S&WB pump status in your neighborhood.
Between the lines: We need the rain.
- Drought conditions are spreading across Louisiana, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
By Saturday, cool, dry air is expected to move in, dropping temps through Monday. Overnight lows may dip into the 60s on the south shore, the National Weather Service says.
- "It will definitely feel cooler, especially at night," said Brigette Lim, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Slidell.
- "It's more of a sneak peek of what's to come," she said. "More of a hint of fall. We still have the potential for hot days ahead."
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is tracking three disturbances in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean, as of Tuesday afternoon.
- The one in the Caribbean could enter the Gulf of Mexico, NHC says, but it isn't forecast to reach Louisiana.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.
Go deeper:
- The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season keeps underperforming expectations
- Status of New Orleans' levees and power grid.
- How to prepare now for hurricane season in New Orleans.
- New Orleans plans for resource centers in event of widespread power outages.
- 2024 hurricane names.
- What's in our hurricane emergency kits.