Update AFD Area Forecast Discussion — Wed Apr 8, 2026 1:54 PM

AFDLIX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1251 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1244 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

- Hazardous marine conditions will persist through much of the
  week. Winds and seas will be highest today and Thursday.
  Inexperienced mariners and those operating small craft should
  avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

- Minor coastal flooding of east-facing shores and tidal lakes is
  expected during high tide cycles today and especially Thursday
  afternoon. This could result in upwards of 1 foot of water
  inundating low-lying roads.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Now through Thursday night)
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

A surface high over the southeastern US and east coast is
controlling the local weather. The weather element that is causing
the most impact is the wind associated with the high pressure,
with results noted above in the Key Impacts section. Skies will be
mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Daytime temperatures are
seasonable but will be rising through the end of the week to the
low 80s, about five to seven degrees above normal; overnight low
temps will be in the upper 50s which is normal to a couple degrees
above normal. The circulation around the high pressure will bring
Gulf moisture into the area. But unfortunately, the only chance
for rain looks to be Thursday and chances are still low with PoPs
in the 20 percent range and amounts totalling less than a tenth of
an inch, if that much.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Friday through Tuesday night)
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

We remain on the periphery of the surface high through the long
term. Into the long term the high/low temps discussed above hold
steady. There are some weak hints of rain into next week, but not
enough to have any confidence in. Overall, we are in a very benign
and unintersting weather pattern. /Schlotz/

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

TAFs are VFR across the area and forecasted to stay that way
through the period. Winds have been gusty, but are settling with
KGPT having some gusty conditions lingering for several more
hours. /Schlotz/

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1214 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

A strong area of surface high pressure positioned across the
eastern U.S. will provide persistent easterly winds across the
coastal waters through the entire week. This will keep marine
weather conditions hazardous through much of the week and small
craft headlines are in place. The highest winds and seas are
likely to be on today and Thursday where sustained winds will be
20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30kt, especially east of the
mouth of the Mississippi River. Wave heights in the unprotected
open waters will also approach 7 to 10 feet during the peak of
these winds. Hazardous marine conditions are likely to persist
through Friday before gradually relaxing into the weekend as the
pressure gradient weakens. /Frye, Schlotz/

&&

.LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Coastal Flood Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Thursday for
     LAZ058-060-069-070-076>078-080-082-084-087.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for LAZ070-
     076-078.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ530-532-534.

     Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ536-538-550-
     552-555-557-570-572-575-577.

MS...Coastal Flood Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Thursday for
     MSZ086.

     Coastal Flood Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for MSZ086.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ532-534.

     Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ538-550-552-
     555-557-570-572-575-577.

&&

$$