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Weather & Climate in Natchitoches, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Natchitoches enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. The area gets 306 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 55.9 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 114 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
86°F Jul (30°C)
| Annual Average | 68.3°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 86°F (30°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 114 ft (35 m) |
| Area | 23.2 sq mi (60.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 763/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.7348°N, 93.1009°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Natchitoches Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Alexandria International (AEX) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
33 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| May 17, 2012 | 3 km NE of Timpson, Texas | M4.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 3 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M4.3 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 14 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M4.2 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2013 | 11 km SE of Timpson, Texas | M4.1 | 114 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 9 km NW of Timpson, Texas | M3.9 | 131 km | 7 km |
| Jan 27, 2024 | 4 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M3.6 | 50 km | 9 km |
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jan 20, 2019 | 7 km SSW of San Augustine, Texas | M3.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.2 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2025 | 5 km WSW of Huxley, Texas | M3.2 | 79 km | 9 km |
| Apr 1, 2021 | 7 km W of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.0 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2025 | 8 km W of Huxley, Texas | M3.0 | 82 km | 7 km |
| Apr 2, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Chireno, Texas | M3.0 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 4 km ESE of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.0 | 129 km | 9 km |
| May 31, 2013 | 7 km SE of Timpson, Texas | M2.9 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2013 | 4 km S of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 3 km S of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 6 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.8 | 47 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 253 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 30 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 183 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 253 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 104 mph | 196 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 224 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 167 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 167 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | 92 mph | 208 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 138 mph | 191 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 268 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 234 km |
| 1985 | Danny | Category 1 | 92 mph | 197 km |
| 1985 | Juan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 264 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
553 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 70 fatalities, 546 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 29, 2010 | EF4 | 29 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1953 | EF4 | 74 km | 85.5 mi | 9 |
| Feb 12, 1950 | EF4 | 89 km | 82.6 mi | 18 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 100 km | 62.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 95 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 82 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 2000 | EF3 | 44 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 91 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1992 | EF3 | 80 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 5 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 77 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 43 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 23 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1981 | EF3 | 77 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 1980 | EF3 | 39 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1978 | EF3 | 84 km | 60.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 20, 1974 | EF3 | 99 km | 85.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1974 | EF3 | 95 km | 44.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 18, 1973 | EF3 | 87 km | 38.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RXCOMP89-90-93-115 (10,602 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | RXCOMP89-90-93-115 | 10,602 | 91 km |
| 1994 | AIRPORT | 8,458 | 76 km |
| 2023 | HWY 113 | 7,104 | 86 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 6,146 | 96 km |
| 2021 | C-368 366 365 364 75 | 5,919 | 79 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 5,381 | 76 km |
| 2021 | C-43/44 | 5,340 | 32 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 5,104 | 28 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,057 | 71 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 5,044 | 73 km |
| 2022 | GOOBER HILL SOUTH | 4,845 | 76 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 73 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,754 | 96 km |
| 2022 | THE 60S | 4,538 | 39 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,498 | 44 km |
| 2019 | C-371/369/34 | 4,481 | 81 km |
| 2024 | RX CALV C-262-265 | 4,445 | 75 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,440 | 27 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,310 | 72 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,279 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 65°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 5.8 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 86°F (30°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 6.0 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Natchitoches has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 49°F in December to 86°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.0") and August the driest (3.5").