Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kaplan enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 313 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 63.5 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 11 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
68.2°F
26% above US avg
January Average
51°F (11°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
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
Annual Rainfall63.5"
67% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)6.65"
Driest Month (Feb)4.02"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
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
51°F (11°C)
5.4 in
Coldest
February
54°F (12°C)
4.0 in
Driest
March
61°F (16°C)
4.2 in
April
68°F (20°C)
4.2 in
May
75°F (24°C)
5.3 in
June
81°F (27°C)
5.7 in
July
82°F (28°C)
6.7 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
82°F (28°C)
6.0 in
September
78°F (26°C)
5.4 in
October
69°F (21°C)
4.1 in
November
61°F (16°C)
4.3 in
December
54°F (12°C)
5.4 in
Kaplan has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 51°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.7") and February the driest (4.0").