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Weather & Climate in New Orleans, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Orleans has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 72°F (22°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. The area gets 323 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 50.7 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 -3 feet.
Temperature
59°F Jan (15°C)
85°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 71.8°F |
| 33% above US avg | |
| January Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| July Average | 85°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | -3 ft (-1 m) |
| Area | 349.9 sq mi (906.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,219/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.0534°N, 89.9345°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Orleans Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Aug 2, 2010 | 16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana | M3.0 | 122 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
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 | 106 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 66 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 17 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 187 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 1 | 86 mph | 285 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 208 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 92 mph | 73 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 91 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 210 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 120 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 36 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 266 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 96 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 196 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 4 | 121 mph | 227 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 107 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 225 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 80 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 127 mph | 246 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 241 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
572 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 fatalities, 829 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF4 | 56 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1964 | EF4 | 66 km | 1.5 mi | 22 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 22 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 8 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF3 | 71 km | 60.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2011 | EF3 | 64 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1992 | EF3 | 50 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 51 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1980 | EF3 | 83 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1980 | EF3 | 88 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1969 | EF3 | 94 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1968 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 30, 1967 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 4 |
| Jan 28, 1966 | EF3 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1957 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1953 | EF3 | 88 km | 15.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 10, 2024 | EF2 | 25 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF2 | 27 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF2 | 55 km | 4.7 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KILN (BAYOU BACON) (3,576 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | KILN (BAYOU BACON) | 3,576 | 59 km |
| 2006 | SANDY FOX FIRE | 3,167 | 83 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1050 | 2,485 | 99 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,382 | 99 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 B | 2,030 | 7 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,984 | 80 km |
| 2022 | DE SOTO BB 8359 NORTH 9365 SOUTH | 1,823 | 98 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,755 | 99 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,739 | 100 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 4 CD | 1,729 | 29 km |
| 2015 | BAYOU LACROIX | 1,714 | 54 km |
| 2009 | SLIDELL AIRPORT | 1,663 | 36 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,624 | 97 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 7 | 1,623 | 24 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,594 | 47 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,482 | 71 km |
| 1997 | BILOXI FORK | 1,404 | 98 km |
| 2020 | TILLMAN ROAD | 1,395 | 85 km |
| 2011 | BAD ROMANCE | 1,305 | 3 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,250 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F (15°C) | 5.4 in | |
| February | 55°F (13°C) | 5.6 in | |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 in | |
| July | 85°F (29°C) | 6.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 5.5 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 55°F (13°C) | 5.3 in | Coldest |
New Orleans has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 55°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 62.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (3.1").