Weather & Climate in Baton Rouge, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Baton Rouge enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 67.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 51. 49% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 68.5°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 86.9 sq mi (225.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,573/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.4404°N, 91.1332°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | East Baton Rouge Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Acadiana Regional (ARA) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 51.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 48.9% |
| Unhealthy Days | 7 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Aug 2, 2010 | 16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana | M3.0 | 50 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 96 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 37 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 217 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 121 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 104 mph | 174 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 139 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 195 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 131 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 75 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 237 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 148 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 127 mph | 260 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 170 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 122 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 214 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 182 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 55 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 300 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 210 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 293 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
575 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 684 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF4 | 72 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF3 | 83 km | 8.7 mi | 1 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 87 km | 29.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 30 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2016 | EF3 | 50 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1992 | EF3 | 78 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 14, 1984 | EF3 | 23 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1983 | EF3 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1977 | EF3 | 79 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1977 | EF3 | 80 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Oct 29, 1974 | EF3 | 95 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1973 | EF3 | 8 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 1972 | EF3 | 26 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF3 | 10 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1970 | EF3 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 40 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1969 | EF3 | 35 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 1966 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1957 | EF3 | 80 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 15, 1957 | EF3 | 91 km | 37.9 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,768 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,768 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,666 | 97 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB24 | 2,458 | 99 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 48 | 2,394 | 100 km |
| 2024 | HOMOCHITTO BB28 SUB3 RX | 2,279 | 91 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,229 | 95 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB25 | 2,183 | 99 km |
| 2021 | HOMOCHITTO BB26 | 2,008 | 94 km |
| 2010 | BURN BLOCK 14 | 1,502 | 97 km |
| 2020 | HOMOCHITTO BB24 SUB 5 | 1,462 | 99 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB 36N | 1,357 | 96 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,218 | 94 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,206 | 85 km |
| 2024 | HOMOCHITTO 36 N RX | 1,194 | 96 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,174 | 96 km |
| 2024 | HOMOCHITTO BB 35 RX | 1,173 | 93 km |
| 2024 | HOMOCHITTO BB39 S2 RX | 1,129 | 94 km |
| 2019 | HOMOCHITTO RX BB 65 SUB 2 | 1,118 | 95 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,108 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 6.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 5.5 in | |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 5.8 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 6.7 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | Driest |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 5.7 in |
Baton Rouge has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 67.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (7.1") and November the driest (4.3").