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Weather & Climate in Palmetto, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palmetto enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 53°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 61.6 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 35 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (11°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 68.3°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 143/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.7177°N, 91.9091°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | St. Landry Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Lafayette Regional/Paul Fournet Field (LFT) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 90.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
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 | 101 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 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 | 158 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 107 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 143 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 201 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 104 mph | 117 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 127 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 276 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 200 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 47 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 169 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 224 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 121 mph | 203 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 243 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 88 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 288 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 257 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 31 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 263 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 289 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 247 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
656 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 37 fatalities, 604 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF3 | 7 km | 8.7 mi | 1 |
| May 17, 2020 | EF3 | 45 km | 3.9 mi | 1 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 97 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1984 | EF3 | 73 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1983 | EF3 | 23 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 1983 | EF3 | 44 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 1983 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF3 | 34 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF3 | 85 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 5, 1981 | EF3 | 84 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1977 | EF3 | 47 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Oct 29, 1974 | EF3 | 62 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1973 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 1972 | EF3 | 55 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF3 | 89 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1969 | EF3 | 87 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 85 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 87 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (12,496 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 12,496 | 71 km |
| 2023 | HWY 113 | 7,104 | 94 km |
| 2021 | C-368 366 365 364 75 | 5,919 | 83 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 87 km |
| 2019 | C-371/369/34 | 4,481 | 80 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,648 | 78 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,599 | 99 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,338 | 81 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 3,203 | 81 km |
| 2024 | RX CALE C-34-369 | 3,183 | 81 km |
| 2022 | C-34/369 | 3,160 | 81 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,113 | 81 km |
| 2022 | C371/372 | 2,944 | 78 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 100 PBURN | 2,890 | 91 km |
| 2018 | C-29 | 2,883 | 89 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,666 | 94 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 2,648 | 78 km |
| 2021 | MELDER 1 | 2,578 | 75 km |
| 2019 | EVANGELINE COMPARTMENT 361 | 2,553 | 86 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,552 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (11°C) | 5.9 in | |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 60°F (15°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | |
| June | 80°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 6.1 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Palmetto has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 52°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.1") and October the driest (4.3").