Todays weather in New Orleans - Monday - 18 May 2026

(00:00:00) Todays weather in New Orleans - Monday - 18 May 2026 (00:00:37) Afternoon Thunderstorm Threat (00:01:23) What To Wear And Carry Today (00:01:40) Wind And Humidity Details (00:02:00) Storm Severity Uncertainty (00:02:21) New Orleans Closing Forecast New Orleans is waking up wrapped in Gulf air this morning, with humidity already between 80 and 90 percent and dew points sitting at a sticky 72 degrees. Temperatures at Louis Armstrong International are running 3 to 5 degrees warmer than yesterday at this hour, and the day is only going to get heavier from here.The headline for today is a 70 percent chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The setup is classic late-May New Orleans: moisture already loaded, heat building through the day, and convection ready to fire when the atmosphere says so. Expect a high of 86 degrees — but with humidity at these levels, it will feel significantly hotter than that.Timing on the storms remains uncertain. They could develop as early as early afternoon or push into the evening rush. If your commute home falls between 3 and 7 p.m., keep radar close. Southeast winds at 10 to 20 mph will be moving, but don't expect relief — when the air is this saturated, the wind just redistributes the sticky.Practical advice for today: wear light, breathable fabric, skip the dark colours, and put an umbrella in your bag as a plan, not a backup. Localised heavy rain is possible in spots, and New Orleans streets don't always drain quickly. No severe weather emergency is indicated right now, but isolated downpours can cause street flooding. The overnight low stays warm with humidity barely budging.Dress smart, carry the umbrella, and check radar before you head home.This episode includes AI-generated content.