After the latest bout of high heat in Louisiana, fall weather can't seem to come soon enough.
Though the state's subtropical climate keeps many Louisiana residents from experiencing a full autumn season, September and October typically bring some relief from the sweltering 90-degree summer temperatures.
For those eagerly awaiting that fall feeling, seasonal forecasts are now out from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other weather predictors.
Already this August, temperatures in Louisiana have remained slightly above average, with the monthly average high leveling out to around 93.7 degrees, according to Megan Williams, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's New Orleans office.
Despite that, heat advisories and other extreme heat watches and warnings in New Orleans and Baton Rouge have been lower than previous years, likely thanks to a wetter summer and near-daily rainstorms.
But despite the less oppressive August heat, climate forecasters and weather predictors do not expect Louisiana to see significantly cooler temperatures in September, October and November.
Here's what to know about fall temperature outlooks.
NOAA's Climate Predictions
Climate scientists at NOAA's Center for Weather and Climate Prediction expect Louisiana and much of the contiguous United States to see temperatures that lean above average over the next three months.
The state has a 40-50% chance of seeing above-normal temperatures in September, October and November, according to the latest predictions released on Aug. 21. Forecasters say that La Niña, a weather pattern that brings warmer winter temperatures to the South, is expected to return briefly in the fall and early winter, contributing to the potential for a warmer season.
Rain-wise, Louisiana is expected to avoid any drought potential this fall. Nearly the whole state has an equal chance for dry or wet conditions, though the far southeastern corner — including the New Orleans area — is likely to see above-average rainfall, according to NOAA.
Farmers' Almanac and Old Farmer's Almanac
Besides utilizing climatology, weather enthusiasts and others who rely on seasonal forecasting have turned for decades to farmers' almanacs for their predictions.
The Old Farmer's Almanac, which has been predicting weather trends since 1792, expects Louisiana and the Deep South to see above-average temperatures this fall, on par with NOAA's predictions.
Meanwhile, a separate but similarly named publication, the Farmers' Almanac says this fall is expected to "keep us on our toes." Their writers predict early chills in the northern part of the country but lingering heat in the South.
In Louisiana and its neighboring states to the west, the Farmer's Almanac expects fair temperatures.
When to expect a cold front
Much of the eastern and midwestern portions of the U.S. are expected to see below-average temperatures in the coming weeks, but unfortunately for South Louisiana, those cooler temperatures won't make it this far down, Williams said.
In the lower half of the state, it is only expected to cool off a few degrees in the next 6 to 10 days. The humidity, however, is expected to drop, giving residents a little bit of relief.
Cold fronts typically stall out just north of the state around this time of year and Williams said Louisiana isn't likely to see a true cold front until closer to the end of September or October.