Louisiana’s weather can swing wildly from month to month, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before you make plans. The state sits in a subtropical climate that brings hot, sticky summers and pretty mild winters.
Still, each month has its own quirks that can totally change your day-to-day or mess with outdoor events.
Louisiana’s monthly temperatures bounce from January lows near 40°F all the way up to summer highs that can blow past 90°F. Wet and dry seasons shape the whole weather pattern here.
The Gulf of Mexico plays a huge role in these swings, pumping up humidity levels in the summer and fueling frequent thunderstorms. And don’t forget hurricane season, which runs June through November and brings its own set of headaches.
If you’re living in Louisiana or just visiting, understanding the monthly weather helps you get ready for everything from Mardi Gras in February to those sticky summer festivals—or even dodging a tropical storm. Every month brings different temps, rain, and humidity, and that shapes the local climate all over the state.
These shifts also mess with local wildlife, farming, and when you can actually enjoy being outside.
Louisiana Monthly Weather Overview
Louisiana’s subtropical climate brings sharp seasonal changes, with temps dipping to 40°F in winter and soaring over 90°F in summer. Rainfall jumps around a lot too.
Seasonal Climate Patterns
Louisiana cycles through four seasons, but they all feel a bit subtropical. Winters here stay much milder than what you’d get up north.
Winter (December-February) brings cooler temperatures and a fair amount of rain. Cold fronts sometimes blast through, dropping temps for a day or two.
Spring (March-May) warms up fast and storms start showing up more often. This is when you really feel the shift from chilly to hot.
Summer (June-August) gets seriously hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms popping up a lot. Highs in the 90s are just the norm.
Fall (September-November) cools things off and dries out a bit. But hurricane season keeps everyone on their toes, especially early in the fall.
Temperature Fluctuations by Month
Louisiana’s average temps jump around a lot as the year goes on. January usually feels the coldest, with numbers between 40°F and 62°F.
Winter months stay pretty mild. In February, things start warming up a little.
Spring heats up quickly from March through May. In April, you’ll see comfortable days in the 70s and 80s.
Summer hits its stride in July and August. Highs often break 90°F, and nights rarely dip below the 70s.
Fall cools off slowly from September through November. October, honestly, might have the best weather of the year.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Louisiana gets plenty of rain, but it’s not spread out evenly. Summers are the wettest.
Wet season runs May through September. Afternoon thunderstorms hit often, dumping heavy rainfall.
Drier months stretch from October through April. In winter, most rain comes with fronts, not pop-up storms.
Storm patterns actually change depending on where you are. Coastal spots get more moisture from the Gulf, while the north stays a bit drier.
Annual rainfall totals swing from 45 to 65 inches, depending on where you live. Southern parishes usually get soaked more than the north.
Detailed Monthly Weather Breakdown
Louisiana’s seasons bring mild winters, warm springs, and those relentless hot, humid summers. Winter temps run from 40°F to 62°F, and it just gets hotter from there.
January Weather Conditions
January is as chilly as Louisiana gets. Average temperatures sit between 40°F and 62°F, depending on where you are.
Northern spots feel colder than the south. Ruston averages highs around 57°F, while Raceland might hit 62°F.
Cold fronts sometimes sweep through in January, dropping temps below freezing in the north. Frost isn’t rare in those parts during cold snaps.
Rain is pretty common all month, adding to that damp winter vibe.
If you’re visiting, pack layers. Temps can swing a lot between sunup and sundown.
February Forecasts
February keeps the winter mood going but starts to warm up a bit. Temps begin their slow climb toward spring.
Average weather in February is just a touch warmer than January. Most places see daytime highs rise by a few degrees.
Rain sticks around through February. How much you get kind of depends on where you are.
Cold fronts still show up, but not as often. The north might still see a freeze if a strong front rolls in.
February is when you really notice the days getting longer. That extra sunlight helps nudge temps higher.
Spring Transition Months
March, April, and May make up Louisiana’s spring. Temps shoot up, and the rain pattern shifts.
By March, most of the state is seeing 70s. The south can even hit the upper 70s by the end of the month.
April brings steady warmth, with highs in the 80s. Humidity starts to climb too.
May feels almost like summer, with highs in the mid-80s all over.
Spring storms ramp up during these months. Severe weather gets more likely as warm, wet air meets cooler systems.
Summer Climate Characteristics
Summer in Louisiana—June through August—means serious heat and humidity. This is when the weather gets the toughest.
Average temps in summer run from the upper 80s to mid-90s. With the humidity, it can feel even hotter.
July and August bring the peak of the heat. Folks who aren’t used to this climate might find it rough.
Afternoon thunderstorms happen a lot. They cool things off for a bit but crank up the humidity even more.
Hurricane season overlaps with summer. Tropical storms can totally change the weather from June through November.
Regional Climate Variations in Louisiana
Louisiana’s weather shifts a lot from north to south, and from the coast to farther inland. New Orleans stands out with its own patterns, and coastal areas deal with different challenges than cities away from the water.
Weather Patterns in New Orleans
New Orleans lives with a humid subtropical climate. The city’s below sea level and right by the Gulf, which makes its weather unique.
Summers in New Orleans usually hit around 32°C (90°F) during the day. Nights don’t cool off much, staying near 24°C (75°F). The humidity can make it feel way hotter than the thermometer says.
Winters are milder. January temps range from 8°C to 17°C (46°F to 63°F). Snow? Almost never happens.
The city gets heavy rain in the summer. Thunderstorms roll in often from June to September, sometimes dumping a ton of rain in just a few minutes.
Hurricane season runs June through November. New Orleans faces big risks because of its low elevation and spot on the map. Storm surges from the Gulf can cause major flooding.
Spring and fall are the sweet spot for weather. Temps hang out between 20°C and 26°C (68°F to 79°F), and the humidity drops a bit.
Northern vs. Southern Louisiana
Northern Louisiana stays cooler all year compared to the south. Places like Shreveport and Bossier City can see winter lows around 2°C (36°F). Down south, New Orleans rarely dips below 5°C (41°F).
Temperature differences show up most in winter. The north might get frost or even freeze, while the south usually stays above freezing.
Both regions get hit by summer heat. The north sometimes gets a bit hotter during the day. Natchitoches, for example, can reach 34°C (93°F) in July.
Rainfall isn’t the same everywhere. The north gets about 100-120 cm (40-47 inches) a year.
Southern Louisiana feels more of the tropics. Coastal spots get 150-165 cm (59-65 inches) annually, thanks to Gulf moisture and tropical storms.
Coastal versus Inland Weather
Coastal areas don’t swing as much in temperature because the Gulf acts like a giant air conditioner in summer and a heater in winter. This keeps things more stable.
Inland spots see bigger jumps between daytime highs and nighttime lows. Baton Rouge, for example, has wider daily swings, and summer nights can cool off a bit more than on the coast.
Wind patterns shift a lot too. Coastal spots get steady sea breezes that can knock afternoon temps down by 3-5°C (5-9°F).
Storms lose punch as they move inland. Hurricanes weaken fast once they leave the warm Gulf, so inland areas get heavy rain and wind but not so much storm surge.
Humidity stays high along the coast. Inland, it might drop a bit during some weather patterns, but honestly, Louisiana is just plain humid most of the year.
Average Weather Data and Trends
Louisiana’s climate follows clear patterns in temperature, rainfall, and humidity as the year rolls on. Summers run hot and muggy, while winters stay mild with moderate rain.
Temperature Averages
Louisiana keeps things warm all year, but there’s a definite swing with the seasons. Summer peaks in July and August, with highs from 90°F to 93°F in the big cities.
New Orleans usually tops out at 92°F in the summer, while Shreveport can hit 93°F. January brings the coldest highs, between 57°F and 63°F.
Monthly High Temperature Ranges:
- Summer (Jun-Aug): 89°F – 93°F
- Winter (Dec-Feb): 57°F – 67°F
- Spring (Mar-May): 69°F – 86°F
- Fall (Sep-Nov): 67°F – 87°F
Lows follow the same trend but don’t get too cold. January lows go from 39°F in Shreveport to 48°F in New Orleans. Summer nights stay toasty, between 72°F and 78°F.
Freezing temps are rare, except up north in winter.
Rainfall Statistics
Louisiana gets rain all year, but the amount changes by season and location. The south usually ends up wetter than the north.
Summers bring the most rain. July is especially wet in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with 5.4 inches and 4.8 inches, respectively. Shreveport gets less, about 2.7 inches in July.
Average Monthly Rainfall:
- New Orleans: 3.3″ – 5.4″ per month
- Baton Rouge: 3.9″ – 5.3″ per month
- Shreveport: 2.3″ – 4.4″ per month
Rainy days stack up in summer. New Orleans averages nearly 18 days with rain in July. In winter, it’s more like 7-9 days a month.
October is usually the driest, with New Orleans only seeing 3.3 inches.
Humidity Levels
Louisiana’s humidity sticks around most of the year, making things feel extra muggy. The Gulf keeps the air loaded with moisture.
Summers get downright oppressive. In July, there are over 30 days of muggy weather in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Shreveport isn’t far behind, with 29 sticky days in July.
Peak Muggy Season:
- June through September: 15-30 days per month
- Winter months: 1-4 days per month
- Spring/Fall transition: 4-10 days per month
Winter finally brings some relief. January through March only see a handful of muggy days. But in summer, dew points over 65°F make it feel extra sticky.
Impacts of Monthly Weather on Daily Life
Louisiana’s ever-changing weather shapes how people travel, prep for storms, and get ready for each season. The humid subtropical climate brings its own set of challenges and, sometimes, a few surprises each month.
Travel and Outdoor Activities
Summer months from June through August really crank up the heat for outdoor fun. Temperatures often hit the 90s, and the humidity? It’s no joke. Most folks end up planning their events for early morning or in the evening to avoid the worst of it.
Spring and fall bring much better weather for festivals and getting outside. March through May and September through November feel a lot milder. You’ll notice these months fill up with outdoor weddings and community gatherings.
Winter travel feels pretty comfortable compared to what’s typical up north. From December to February, temperatures usually stay between 40°F and 62°F. Most days, you just need a light jacket for outdoor activities.
Hurricane season stretches from June through November. This can mess with travel plans and outdoor events. Many people skip planning big outdoor occasions during August and September, since that’s when hurricanes peak.
Air conditioning costs shoot up in the summer. People usually hang out inside during the hottest parts of the day.
Severe Weather Events
Hurricanes hit hardest between August and October. These storms can cause flooding, knock out power, and damage property. When a big hurricane comes, residents often evacuate coastal areas.
Tornadoes pop up most often in the spring. April and May bring the highest risk for these storms. Tornadoes can develop fast and really do some damage.
Flooding happens all year but gets worse during summer thunderstorms. Heavy rains can flood streets and homes in just a few hours. Low-lying neighborhoods get hit the hardest.
Ice storms don’t happen much, but you might see one in January or February. Even a little ice can shut down roads and knock out power.
Severe thunderstorms roll through in spring and summer, bringing strong winds and hail. They usually build up in the late afternoon or evening.
Monthly Weather Preparation Tips
Hurricane preparation kicks off in May every year. People stock up on water, canned food, batteries, and flashlights. It’s smart to keep important documents in waterproof containers.
Summer heat preparation means checking your AC in April. Installing ceiling fans and using blackout curtains can help keep your place cooler. If you have to work outside, do it in the morning before it gets too hot.
Flood preparation means knowing your evacuation routes and having emergency supplies ready. Keep sandbags handy during heavy rain. Seriously, don’t drive through flooded streets.
Winter preparation starts with checking your heater in November. Keep warm clothes nearby for surprise cold snaps. Protect your outdoor plants if frost is in the forecast.
Spring storm preparation involves trimming branches near your house. Clean out gutters before the heavy rain starts. It’s a good time to review your insurance, too.
Year-Round Climate Insights
Louisiana’s humid subtropical climate shows some clear patterns when you look at it over the years. Summers regularly reach the low 90s, and winters usually dip into the 40s. Precipitation and temperature ranges shift gradually, but you’ll notice the changes if you pay attention.
Annual vs. Monthly Trends
Louisiana’s yearly weather always brings those seasonal shifts, and you can spot them in all three main climate zones. New Orleans keeps the warmest temps, with highs from 63°F in January up to 92°F in July and August.
Baton Rouge trends a bit cooler. Winters hit highs around 62°F, and summers peak at 90°F. Up north, Shreveport sees the biggest swings, with January highs of 57°F and summer temps jumping up to 93°F.
Precipitation patterns follow predictable annual cycles:
- Wettest months: June through August (over 5 inches each month)
- Driest period: October through December (about 3 to 4 inches monthly)
- Peak rainfall: July in southern Louisiana, May up north
The average weather? Summers feel muggy, no way around it. New Orleans usually gets more than 30 muggy days in July, while northern parts of the state have fewer sticky days.
Long-Term Weather Shifts
If you look at weather data from the past several decades, you’ll notice subtle but real changes in Louisiana’s climate. Average temperatures have crept up, especially in winter, and those cold snaps just don’t happen as often as they used to.
Rainfall patterns tell a similar story. These days, summer storms drop a lot more rain all at once. Instead of those steady, gentle showers that used to mark the wet season, we’re getting heavier downpours packed into shorter bursts.
Notable long-term changes include:
- Spring seems to warm up earlier than before
- Summers drag on with longer heat spells
- Freezing temps don’t show up as much
- Humidity sticks around more during the in-between seasons
Northern Louisiana, honestly, stands out with the biggest changes in temperature swings. For example, Shreveport’s winter lows aren’t nearly as cold as they used to be. Summer highs, though, haven’t budged much.
Down along the coast, places like New Orleans stay pretty steady. The Gulf of Mexico really helps keep the temperature swings in check there.