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Weather & Climate in Ponchatoula, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ponchatoula has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 84°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 60.1 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 26 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 70.9°F |
| 31% above US avg | |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,661/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.4406°N, 90.4428°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Tangipahoa Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 57 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 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 | 103 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 36 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 284 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 59 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 239 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 249 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 189 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 134 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 116 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 274 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 116 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 82 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 142 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 246 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 185 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 148 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 286 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 145 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 75 mph | 282 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 121 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
693 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 54 fatalities, 1,105 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2020 | EF4 | 84 km | 53.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 96 km | 21.2 mi | 4 |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF4 | 42 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1975 | EF4 | 83 km | 56.5 mi | 9 |
| Oct 3, 1964 | EF4 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 22 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 72 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 94 km | 29.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 48 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2016 | EF3 | 79 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF3 | 77 km | 60.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2011 | EF3 | 42 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1992 | EF3 | 41 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 14, 1984 | EF3 | 72 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1983 | EF3 | 71 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 98 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1977 | EF3 | 69 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1973 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 1972 | EF3 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF3 | 56 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
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 | 90 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 B | 2,030 | 64 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,984 | 90 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 4 CD | 1,729 | 47 km |
| 2015 | BAYOU LACROIX | 1,714 | 93 km |
| 2009 | SLIDELL AIRPORT | 1,663 | 58 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 7 | 1,623 | 51 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,594 | 54 km |
| 2010 | BURN BLOCK 14 | 1,502 | 94 km |
| 2011 | BAD ROMANCE | 1,305 | 67 km |
| 2011 | TONEY ISLAND | 1,215 | 91 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,206 | 21 km |
| 2006 | WHITE SANDS FIRE | 1,193 | 88 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,111 | 96 km |
| 2004 | UNITS 1A-1B | 1,108 | 64 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,102 | 53 km |
| 2006 | JUNIPER RELOAD FIRE | 955 | 93 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 950 | 43 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 904 | 46 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 866 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 5.6 in | |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 in | |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 5.8 in | |
| April | 67°F (19°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 5.9 in | |
| September | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
Ponchatoula has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 53°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 64.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.4").