NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Hurricane Helene, while not expected to directly impact the local area, will help usher in some cooler, drier air starting Thursday. As the storm passes to the east, and a cold front moves across the region, a steady flow of northern winds will bring a stretch of beautiful fall weather. Expect mostly sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the 60s inland, dipping closer to 70 near the coast. This pleasant weather pattern should continue through the weekend and into next week. Winds will be a bit breezy at times, especially on Thursday, with gusts up to 30 mph possible. Looking ahead, there’s a chance for another surge of dry air early next week, just in time for October, which is typically the driest month for the area. While there are some early signs of potential tropical activity in the western Caribbean next week, it’s still too early to determine any impacts. Keep an eye on updates for the latest information. 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 Cooler, drier air to bring pleasant fall weather to the Gulf Coast One person dead in Wednesday night New Orleans shooting NOPD continues search for escaped juvenile New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted on federal criminal charges: sources Alabama to carry out second nitrogen gas execution in US amid controversy