Weather & Climate in Lake Charles, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Charles enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 59.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49. 53% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (12°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 69.7°F |
| 29% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Area | 44.8 sq mi (116.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,721/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.1990°N, 93.2108°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Calcasieu Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Chennault International (CWF) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 49.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 53.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 4 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| 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 High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
22 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 | 206 km |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 1 | 92 mph | 287 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 236 km |
| 2021 | Nicholas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 287 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 38 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 276 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 32 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 118 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 126 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 172 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 39 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 127 mph | 66 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 92 mph | 289 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 90 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 146 km |
| 1989 | Jerry | Category 1 | 86 mph | 205 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 131 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 110 km |
| 1985 | Juan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 102 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
654 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 638 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1957 | EF4 | 51 km | 12.9 mi | 1 |
| Dec 3, 1953 | EF4 | 98 km | 85.5 mi | 9 |
| May 17, 2020 | EF3 | 95 km | 3.9 mi | 1 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 72 km | 62.6 mi | 1 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 18 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1984 | EF3 | 46 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1983 | EF3 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 1983 | EF3 | 88 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF3 | 94 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| May 13, 1982 | EF3 | 87 km | 8.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 29, 1974 | EF3 | 52 km | 31.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 17, 1973 | EF3 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1973 | EF3 | 7 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 12, 1971 | EF3 | 3 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 1970 | EF3 | 72 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 93 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| May 1, 1967 | EF3 | 59 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 1961 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.7 mi | 1 |
| Nov 7, 1957 | EF3 | 75 km | 3.6 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TIGER ISLAND (30,959 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | TIGER ISLAND | 30,959 | 64 km |
| 2023 | LASBR-BIL-FY23-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 18,392 | 39 km |
| 2005 | LACASSINE POOL | 16,640 | 38 km |
| 2002 | BAYOU COMPLEX | 15,744 | 56 km |
| 1993 | PF UNIT 5 | 15,059 | 58 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 15,017 | 85 km |
| 2007 | UNIT 5 | 13,959 | 56 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 12,496 | 81 km |
| 1990 | U 2 PF 90 1 | 12,490 | 51 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 4 05 01 | 11,749 | 52 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 11,431 | 64 km |
| 2011 | SABINE WEST - 2011 (UNIT 3) | 10,195 | 46 km |
| 1997 | WILD COW BAY | 10,069 | 97 km |
| 2014 | PINTAIL | 9,498 | 41 km |
| 2023 | H AND H COMPLEX | 9,476 | 94 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 WILDFIRE | 9,076 | 98 km |
| 1987 | U 1 PF 87 09 | 8,953 | 40 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 1 RX | 8,913 | 41 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 8,563 | 74 km |
| 1996 | UNIT 7 | 8,298 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (12°C) | 5.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| March | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 69°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 76°F (25°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 5.7 in | |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 6.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 71°F (22°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 4.6 in |
Lake Charles has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 53°F in January to 84°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 59.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.5") and February the driest (3.3").