Weather & Climate in Sulphur, LA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Sulphur enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 84°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 59.8 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 15 feet.

Temperature

53°F Jan (12°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	69.7°F
	29% above US avg
January Average	53°F (12°C)
July Average	84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	306 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	15 ft (5 m)
Area	10.0 sq mi (25.9 km²)
Population Density	1,869/sq mi
Coordinates	30.2298°N, 93.3563°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Calcasieu Parish County
Nearest Airport	Lake Charles Regional (LCH) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.8"

57% above US avg

Wettest Month (Sep) 5.71"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.3 / 100
Community Resilience	24.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Very High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Hurricane History

22 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	218 km
2024	Beryl	Category 1	92 mph	275 km
2021	Ida	Category 4	144 mph	249 km
2021	Nicholas	Category 1	75 mph	277 km
2020	Laura	Category 4	150 mph	30 km
2020	Zeta	Category 3	115 mph	290 km
2020	Delta	Category 2	104 mph	46 km
2019	Barry	Category 1	75 mph	132 km
2012	Isaac	Category 1	75 mph	291 km
2008	Gustav	Category 2	109 mph	140 km
2008	Ike	Category 2	109 mph	160 km
2007	Humberto	Category 1	92 mph	25 km
2005	Rita	Category 3	127 mph	56 km
2003	Claudette	Category 1	92 mph	286 km
2002	Lili	Category 3	121 mph	105 km
1992	Andrew	Category 4	144 mph	160 km
1989	Jerry	Category 1	86 mph	196 km
1989	Chantal	Category 1	81 mph	122 km
1986	Bonnie	Category 1	86 mph	98 km
1985	Juan	Category 1	86 mph	109 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

628 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 32 fatalities, 552 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1957	EF4	39 km	12.9 mi	1
Dec 3, 1953	EF4	98 km	85.5 mi	9
Dec 16, 2019	EF3	69 km	62.6 mi	1
Mar 2, 1999	EF3	91 km	12.0 mi	1
Nov 21, 1992	EF3	31 km	6.0 mi	0
May 20, 1984	EF3	48 km	3.0 mi	0
May 20, 1983	EF3	58 km	5.0 mi	0
Jan 31, 1983	EF3	81 km	1.0 mi	0
May 13, 1982	EF3	73 km	8.5 mi	1
Oct 29, 1974	EF3	67 km	31.3 mi	2
Apr 17, 1973	EF3	31 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 17, 1973	EF3	18 km	0.5 mi	0
Feb 12, 1971	EF3	15 km	3.6 mi	0
Oct 11, 1970	EF3	61 km	4.3 mi	0
May 1, 1967	EF3	64 km	5.2 mi	0
Nov 7, 1957	EF3	63 km	3.6 mi	2
Nov 7, 1957	EF3	72 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 4, 1952	EF3	47 km	36.7 mi	0
Jul 8, 2024	EF2	94 km	8.6 mi	0
May 13, 2024	EF2	3 km	3.4 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TIGER ISLAND (30,959 acres, 2023).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2023	TIGER ISLAND	30,959	57 km
2023	LASBR-BIL-FY23-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE	18,392	36 km
2005	LACASSINE POOL	16,640	51 km
2002	BAYOU COMPLEX	15,744	52 km
1993	PF UNIT 5	15,059	50 km
2000	UNNAMED	15,017	75 km
2007	UNIT 5	13,959	48 km
2000	UNNAMED	12,496	89 km
1990	U 2 PF 90 1	12,490	46 km
2005	UNIT 4 05 01	11,749	47 km
2003	UNNAMED	11,431	57 km
2011	SABINE WEST - 2011 (UNIT 3)	10,195	39 km
1997	WILD COW BAY	10,069	88 km
2020	TXMCR-FY20-RX-W	10,033	93 km
2014	PINTAIL	9,498	37 km
2023	H AND H COMPLEX	9,476	83 km
2003	UNIT 8 WILDFIRE	9,076	89 km
1987	U 1 PF 87 09	8,953	36 km
1998	UNIT 1 RX	8,913	36 km
1997	GRIT ROAD	8,599	94 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	53°F (12°C)	5.0 in
February	54°F (12°C)	3.9 in
March	61°F (16°C)	3.8 in
April	67°F (19°C)	3.5 in	Driest
May	75°F (24°C)	5.5 in
June	80°F (27°C)	5.4 in
July	84°F (29°C)	5.5 in	Warmest
August	82°F (28°C)	4.9 in
September	78°F (25°C)	5.7 in	Wettest
October	69°F (20°C)	4.2 in
November	60°F (15°C)	4.5 in
December	53°F (11°C)	5.4 in	Coldest

Sulphur has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 53°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.7") and April the driest (3.5").

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