Weather & Climate in Kaplan, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kaplan enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.1 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 11 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 67.2°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 11 ft (3 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,833/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.0060°N, 92.2839°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lafayette Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Lafayette Regional/Paul Fournet Field (LFT) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 51.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 49.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 72.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| 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)
Hurricane History
25 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 | 123 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 154 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 101 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 186 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 60 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 46 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 297 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 185 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 246 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 49 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 131 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 259 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 4 | 127 mph | 141 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 229 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 4 | 121 mph | 2 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 247 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 57 km |
| 1989 | Jerry | Category 1 | 86 mph | 278 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 186 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 290 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
508 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 32 fatalities, 497 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.7 mi | 1 |
| May 17, 2020 | EF3 | 51 km | 3.9 mi | 1 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 76 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 1983 | EF3 | 47 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 1983 | EF3 | 45 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF3 | 2 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 1977 | EF3 | 46 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Oct 29, 1974 | EF3 | 28 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1974 | EF3 | 40 km | 31.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 17, 1973 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 12, 1971 | EF3 | 91 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 91 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 2 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| May 1, 1967 | EF3 | 96 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 1961 | EF3 | 2 km | 5.7 mi | 1 |
| Nov 7, 1957 | EF3 | 39 km | 9.2 mi | 4 |
| Oct 15, 1957 | EF3 | 55 km | 37.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1952 | EF3 | 59 km | 36.7 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2024 | EF2 | 55 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LACASSINE POOL (16,640 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | LACASSINE POOL | 16,640 | 61 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 12,496 | 90 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 8,563 | 46 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,588 | 54 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,928 | 70 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 4,875 | 34 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,872 | 57 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,678 | 70 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,387 | 71 km |
| 2010 | MIAMI | 3,466 | 85 km |
| 2002 | G 1 2 3 | 3,427 | 62 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,157 | 57 km |
| 2002 | H I J | 3,155 | 60 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 2,853 | 52 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,685 | 47 km |
| 1999 | UNIT F 3 | 2,667 | 62 km |
| 1995 | E 2 | 2,567 | 65 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 2,543 | 67 km |
| 2015 | LALCR FY16 RX MARSH AND PRAIRIE | 2,413 | 60 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,138 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F (10°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | Driest |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 5.9 in | |
| September | 78°F (25°C) | 5.7 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 53°F (11°C) | 4.6 in |
Kaplan has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 50°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.6") and February the driest (3.8").