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Weather & Climate in Empire, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Empire enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 317 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 62.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 7 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 70.3°F |
| 30% above US avg | |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 233/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.4452°N, 89.6144°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Plaquemines Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) 54 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Mar 16, 2001 | 106 km SSE of Venice, Louisiana | M3.6 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Oct 18, 1997 | 69 km SSW of Dauphin Island, Alabama | M2.9 | 124 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 126 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 67 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 88 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 147 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 222 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 92 mph | 56 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 50 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 138 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 98 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 5 | 161 mph | 6 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 127 mph | 265 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 54 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 150 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 4 | 121 mph | 230 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 97 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 151 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 18 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 150 mph | 192 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 241 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 136 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
207 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 372 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 3, 1964 | EF4 | 75 km | 1.5 mi | 22 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 65 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 73 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 89 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 1966 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1957 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF2 | 69 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 2011 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 13, 2007 | EF2 | 76 km | 1.3 mi | 1 |
| Feb 13, 2007 | EF2 | 71 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2006 | EF2 | 79 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2005 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2004 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 1998 | EF2 | 72 km | 4.0 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 1995 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1993 | EF2 | 60 km | 6.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 22, 1983 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1982 | EF2 | 95 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 1 B (2,030 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 B | 2,030 | 79 km |
| 2015 | BAYOU LACROIX | 1,714 | 100 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 7 | 1,623 | 97 km |
| 2011 | BAD ROMANCE | 1,305 | 74 km |
| 2004 | UNITS 1A-1B | 1,108 | 79 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 904 | 96 km |
| 1996 | 1 B | 846 | 78 km |
| 2006 | BOY SCOUT EAST | 826 | 97 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 2 A | 821 | 78 km |
| 1997 | 1 A | 797 | 80 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 717 | 91 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 652 | 97 km |
| 2016 | LOWER BAY | 599 | 90 km |
| 2020 | LAKE SHORE FIRE | 592 | 95 km |
| 2004 | 12 SOUTH EAST | 542 | 96 km |
| 2016 | ANSLEY | 526 | 87 km |
| 1997 | STAND 2 | 521 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 80°F (27°C) | 6.3 in | |
| October | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 5.2 in |
Empire has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 54°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.9") and October the driest (3.4").