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NWS Extends Extreme Heat Advisory Window Across Louisiana and Mississippi

An Extreme Heat Watch issued by the National Weather Service now runs through 8:00 PM CDT on August 17, 2026.

4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 15, 2026, 3:24 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 15, 2026, 3:34 p.m. ET
The has updated its heat advisories for all of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi, with the hazard period running longer than first issued. Under the updated advisory schedule, an begins at 11:00 AM CDT on August 17, 2026, and expires at 8:00 PM CDT that evening, extending the heat window following earlier Extreme Heat Warnings. According to official National Weather Service bulletins, dangerously hot conditions are expected across the region, with heat index values reaching up to 115. The covers zones in total across all of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi, including cities such as Baton Rouge, Slidell, Covington, Hammond, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis. National Weather Service officials noted that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity. Recommended precautions include staying in air-conditioned areas, drinking fluids, staying out of the sun, checking on neighbors and relatives, and never leaving children or pets in unattended vehicles, where interior temperatures can reach lethal levels in minutes.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 15, 2026, 3:29 p.m. ET

    Extreme Heat Warning Issued for Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi

    Official National Weather Service records show an Extreme Heat Warning in effect until 8 PM CDT on August 17, 2026, with a second Extreme Heat Warning scheduled from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT on Sunday, August 17, 2026. An Extreme Heat Watch has also been issued from Monday morning through Monday evening for all of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi, covering 49 zones.

    According to official records from the National Weather Service New Orleans LA, dangerously hot conditions are expected to produce heat index values up to 115. Affected areas include Clinton, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, Gulfport, Slidell, Hammond, Greensburg, Bay St. Louis, and 17 other named cities across 49 geographic zones. Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

    Official precautions advise residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, keep out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors. Official records emphasize that young children and pets should never be left in unattended vehicles, as interior temperatures can reach lethal levels in minutes.

  2. Aug 15, 2026, 3:27 p.m. ET

    NWS Names 49 Louisiana and Mississippi Zones Under Extreme Heat Alerts, From Pointe Coupee to Southern Jackson

    Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, according to the extreme heat alert product issued by the National Weather Service New Orleans LA and published in the National Weather Service raw data feed.

    The record covers 49 zones across all of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi, where dangerously hot conditions are expected with heat index values up to 115.

    The zones named in the record are: Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Washington, Iberville, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Assumption, St. James, St. John The Baptist, Upper St. Bernard, Lower St. Bernard, Northern Tangipahoa, Southeast St. Tammany, Western Orleans, Eastern Orleans, Northern St. Tammany, Southwestern St. Tammany, Central Tangipahoa, Lower Tangipahoa, Northern Livingston, Southern Livingston, Western Ascension, Eastern Ascension, Upper Jefferson, Upper Plaquemines, Central Plaquemines, Lower Plaquemines, Central Jefferson, Coastal Jefferson, Upper Lafourche, Lower Lafourche, Upper Terrebonne, Lower Terrebonne, Upper St. Charles, Central St. Charles, Lower St. Charles, Wilkinson, Amite, Pike, Walthall, Pearl River, Northern Hancock, Northern Harrison, Northern Jackson, Southern Hancock, Southern Harrison and Southern Jackson.

    Communities listed in the record include: Clinton, St. Francisville, Folsom, Gautier, Walker, Hahnville, Convent, Gulfport, Port Allen, Diamondhead, Covington, Baton Rouge, Cut Off, Pointe A La Hache, Slidell, Thibodaux, Dexter, Moss Point, Hammond, Greensburg, Norco, Necaise, Meraux, Addis and Bay St. Louis.

    An Extreme Heat Watch begins at 11:00 AM CDT on August 17, 2026, and is set to expire at 8:00 PM CDT on August 17, 2026. The record's headline reads: EXTREME HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM CDT SUNDAY. The weather service noted a first Extreme Heat Warning in effect until 8 PM CDT this evening, a second Extreme Heat Warning from 11 AM to 8 PM CDT Sunday, and the Extreme Heat Watch running from Monday morning through Monday evening.

    The weather service advises drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned room, staying out of the sun, and checking up on relatives and neighbors. It said young children and pets should not be left in unattended vehicles, because car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. The record also urges extra precautions outside, lightweight and loose fitting clothing, limiting strenuous activities to early morning or evening, and taking action at the first symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

  3. Aug 15, 2026, 3:24 p.m. ETFirst report

    National Weather Service Issues Extreme Heat Warning for Louisiana and Mississippi

    The National Weather Service New Orleans LA has issued an extreme heat advisory covering 49 zones across southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

    According to official reports from the weather service on August 17, 2026, heat index values are expected to reach up to 115. An initial warning window starts at 11:00 AM CDT on August 17, 2026, and expires at 8:00 PM CDT. A second warning window spans from 11:00 AM CDT to 8:00 PM CDT on Sunday, followed by an extreme heat watch from Monday morning through Monday evening. Affected communities include Baton Rouge, Gulfport, Slidell, Hammond, and Covington.

    Official guidance notes that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during high heat and humidity. Authorities advise residents to drink plenty of fluids, remain in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors. Official statements also warn that car interiors reach lethal temperatures in minutes and children and pets must never be left unattended in vehicles.

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Revision history

  1. Version 115 Aug 2026, 19:34current

    First published.

  2. Version 115 Aug 2026, 19:27current

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  3. Version 115 Aug 2026, 19:24current

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  4. Version 115 Aug 2026, 19:29current

    First published.

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