469 FXUS64 KLIX 282337 AFDLIX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service New Orleans LA 537 PM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 534 PM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 - Significantly warmer than normal temperatures will be the rule for at least the next 7 to 10 days. - Patchy fog with some locally dense fog possible again tonight across portions of southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi. - Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast each afternoon during the middle to latter part of next week. While overall rain totals are forecast to be low, a few heavier storms could provide much-needed rain to localized areas. && .SHORT TERM... (Now through Sunday) Issued at 100 PM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 After a foggy start this morning, strong surface heating has taken shape this afternoon and will keep the region well above average in terms of high temperatures this afternoon. This theme will be common in both the short and long term periods. The region resides under a mostly dry upper level northwest flow pattern. With surface high pressure also in control of the region, surface flow is on the light side and overall mostly sunny conditions expected this afternoon and early evening. Going into tonight guidance is still showing at least a weak fog/stratus signal across the region. There is confidence that some reduced visibilities will occur somewhere, generally mostly around the lake and points south and west, however, the exact density and extent are lower confidence as of now. Given the lower confidence did not reissue the dense fog advisory again for tonight, but the evening and overnight shifts will certainly keep an eye on the local obs...and it wouldn't be impossible to need more fog headlines Sunday morning. (Frye) && .LONG TERM... (Sunday night through Friday) Issued at 100 PM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 Going into the long term there will be somewhat of a pattern change. First, what will not change is the above average temps with high temps later on in the period climbing into the mid 80s for portions of southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. The dry northwesterly flow will eventually become more zonal on Tuesday. At the same time, the surface high pressure will be spreading east over the southwest Atlantic. With lee side troughing over the high plains, a stronger return flow develops on Tuesday. This will be enough to increase low level moisture values and with slightly higher heights/thicknesses will continue the above average temperatures. We will need to watch going into late week as the strong WAA with the return flow will lead to some streamer showers across the CWFA. The lackluster QPF signal continues to support the ongoing lower-end POPs later in the week for now. Upstream, a surface front becomes stalled as it becomes parallel to the H5 southwest flow aloft over the ArkLaTex region. The globals and the respective QPF forecasts are a bit different by the end of the workweek. The ECM appears to be the wetter solution while the GFS appears a bit drier. For now, a compromise between the two will suffice. (Frye) && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 534 PM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 VFR conditions will generally prevail through the forecast period. The only hiccup in this will be the fog potential again for tonight. There are a few terminals that might be a bit more prone to more MVFR/IFR visibilities (particularly NEW, ASD, MSY and maybe GPT) but there may be some light patchier fog at any of the terminals. Any fog that forms should be quickly on its way out after sunrise tomorrow with full visibility back within 1 to 3 hours after sunrise. && .MARINE... Issued at 100 PM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 Mostly favorable conditions will settle over the coastal waters this weekend. Light northeasterly to easterly winds will prevail through Monday before shifting to a stronger offshore flow starting Tuesday where cautionary headlines may be needed. Low chances of rain return for the offshore waters around mid week. (Frye) && .LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. GM...None. MS...None. GM...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...RDF LONG TERM....RDF AVIATION...BL MARINE...RDF