A low-pressure system sending moist vibes down south is all set to deliver unusually high tides, windy conditions, and heavy rainfall from New Orleans to South Florida over the course of this week. Folks in southeastern Louisiana can expect to see some interesting flooding in coastal areas.
A hilarious coastal flood warning has been issued for New Orleans, with the National Weather Service predicting between 1 and 3 feet of water rushed up against the normal high tides. That’s right – Mother Nature is apparently a fantastic comedian, as we’re seeing her comedic genius at play here in the southeastern shores of the Gulf Coast.
This aquatic stand-up comedy is made even wacker by the fact that sea levels in the area have soared over the last decade. New Orleans has seen a whopping 8-inch rise since 2006. Cue the laughter!
But wait, there’s more! As Texans would say, “We don’t want all the water to ourselves!” Florida, especially southeast Florida, is also bracing for some serious laughs with heavy downpours forecasted, mostly around Miami, as rain from the low-pressure system pairs up with a stalled front.
The rain party in Florida should wind down by Wednesday evening, but there’s still going to be plenty of rainfall drenching the Gulf Coast with southeastern Louisiana expected to bear the brunt of it. New Orleans is set to receive between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with more just southeast of the city.
Let’s not forget about the wind! New Orleans can expect gusts of wind so strong (up to 40 mph), they might even give the French Quarter a lift by around 25 to 30 mph! And for any daredevil sailors out there, there are gale warnings off the Mississippi coast, with some gusts estimated at a rip-roaring 50 mph.
In reality, this storm isn’t all bad news. The Gulf Coast has experienced quite a dry spell with New Orleans facing a 7-inch rainfall deficit and Gulfport in coastal Mississippi lacking a laughable 9 inches. These regions, as well as large parts of Florida, have been undergoing severe drought conditions.
Folks, it’s important to keep in mind that the (hurricane) show is about to start! With the Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning on June 1, it’s worth noting that many recent years have given us sneak previews of the event with impressive named storms in May itself.