NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Residents along the northern Gulf Coast can expect a continuation of the current hot and wet summer weather pattern. Friday will be partly sunny with a 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon, with highs in the upper 80s. Tonight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, and lows in the upper 70s. The latest forecast models continue to predict daily summer storms. While these storms may not be intense, some areas could see heavy rainfall due to high moisture levels in the atmosphere. This pattern is expected to persist through Saturday, when a trough of low pressure moves eastward. This shift should bring some relief from the rain but may lead to a slight increase in temperatures. Sunday will mark a transition as a ridge of high pressure moves across the northern Gulf of Mexico. This change will push the active weather pattern eastward, leading to drier conditions in New Orleans. Rain chances will decrease late this weekend and early next week, resulting in more scattered storms rather than widespread heavy rain. However, as rain chances drop, temperatures are expected to rise, potentially bringing heat advisories from Sunday onward. Looking ahead, showers and thunderstorms are likely throughout the weekend and into early next week, with rain chances varying from 30 to 70 percent. Temperatures will generally be around 90 degrees during the day and in the upper 70s at night. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Casket of civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams to be escorted by U.S. Marshals Will Ford’s BlueCruise be a hands-free game changer? Simone Biles planning something new for Paris Olympics Vance defends 'sarcastic’ ‘childless cat ladies’ remarks amid blowback PHOTOS: What did the Olympics look like 100 years ago?