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Weather & Climate in St. James, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
St. James enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 83°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 67.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. 93% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 19 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 69.1°F |
| 28% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 19 ft (6 m) |
| Area | 9.9 sq mi (25.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 47/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.0186°N, 90.8509°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | St. James Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 93.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 3 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
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 | 89 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
27 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 | 47 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 25 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 237 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 94 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 197 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 272 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 129 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 92 mph | 160 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 77 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 268 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 58 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 266 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 122 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 4 | 127 mph | 261 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 116 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 284 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 4 | 121 mph | 140 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 192 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 271 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 129 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
524 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 42 fatalities, 839 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF4 | 32 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1964 | EF4 | 66 km | 1.5 mi | 22 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 78 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 82 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 67 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2016 | EF3 | 22 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1992 | EF3 | 39 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 14, 1984 | EF3 | 76 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1973 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 1972 | EF3 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1970 | EF3 | 56 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 50 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1969 | EF3 | 21 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 1966 | EF3 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1957 | EF3 | 63 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1953 | EF3 | 53 km | 15.6 mi | 2 |
| Feb 8, 2023 | EF2 | 96 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF2 | 72 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF2 | 95 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 1 B (2,030 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 B | 2,030 | 92 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 4 CD | 1,729 | 90 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 7 | 1,623 | 91 km |
| 2011 | BAD ROMANCE | 1,305 | 91 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,206 | 82 km |
| 2004 | UNITS 1A-1B | 1,108 | 92 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 950 | 90 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 904 | 50 km |
| 2009 | GOOSEPOINT C | 864 | 90 km |
| 1996 | 1 B | 846 | 91 km |
| 2006 | BOY SCOUT EAST | 826 | 94 km |
| 1998 | UNIT 2 A | 821 | 93 km |
| 1997 | 1 A | 797 | 93 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 750 | 93 km |
| 2005 | UNT 4A SAMMY SLOUGH | 717 | 90 km |
| 2009 | BAPTISTE CEMETERY | 684 | 91 km |
| 2004 | 12 SOUTH EAST | 542 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (11°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| April | 67°F (20°C) | 4.9 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 6.1 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 5.7 in | |
| October | 69°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | Driest |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 5.3 in |
St. James has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 53°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 63.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.8").