Weather Service Updates Rain Threat – Lafayette and New Orleans Festival Weekend

(KMDL-FM) The "festival vibe" is already flowing up and down Interstate 10 in Louisiana. There are two of the state's most prominent and popular festivals on tap for this weekend. Actually, Festival International in Lafayette is already underway, and Jazz Fest in New Orleans officially kicks off today.

READ MORE: Know Before You Go - Festival International Lafayette

Forecasters with the National Weather Service Forecast Offices in Lake Charles and NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge are monitoring an unsettled weather situation. Conditions are not expected to be optimal for either festival, but they won't be "bad" or a "washout" by any stretch of the imagination.

How Many People Are Expected in Lafayette and New Orleans This Weekend?

Both festivals are celebrations of Louisiana culture and heritage. Lafayette's Festival International has been featured as one of the largest free international music festivals in the world. Hundreds of thousands of guests and locals are expected to be in Downtown Lafayette over the next four days.

READ MORE: Big Stars Highlight This Year's Jazz Fest Line-Up

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival typically draws about half a million people every year. With the lineup in place, it's pretty easy to see why the crowds flock to the Big Easy. But unlike Lafayette's Festival International, the New Orleans festival does charge a gate admission, and parking is not for the faint of heart or the empty of wallet.

As you might expect, all of those festival goers and potential festival goers want to know what to bring and how to be prepared for several hours outside. In the case of both Lafayette and New Orleans, weather service officials are suggesting portable rain gear for both events.

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Which Day is Rain Most Likely For Festival International In Lafayette?

Based on the latest forecast models, it does appear as though the greatest threat of rain for Festival International will happen today, Thursday. Different forecast outlets have rain chances listed from 40% to 60%. Based on personal experience, I'd have a pancho or a collapsible umbrella in my backpack if I were to head to Downtown Lafayette for tonight's fun.

Which Day is Rain Most Likely For the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival?

For those making the trek and selling a kidney for a place to park near the FairGrounds in New Orleans, where the festival is held, it looks as though your best day for rain, or maybe worst day is a better way to say it, will come on Saturday.

Forecast outlets have New Orleans rain chances listed at 50% or more for late Saturday afternoon into the early evening. This would put the potential for the worst of the weather to arrive just as Saturday's headliners are taking the stage.

So, in a nutshell, it looks as if Thursday will be the most likely for a wet day in Lafayette, and Saturday will be the most likely wet day in New Orleans. Of course, Mother Nature has been known to pull a fast one and change her mind. We will monitor the situation as you enjoy your festival weekend.