Weather & Climate in Watson, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 66.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. 64% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 64 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 68.5°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 64 ft (20 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,566/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.5749°N, 90.9508°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Livingston Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 64.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| 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 | 28 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 | 109 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 15 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 235 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 109 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 104 mph | 194 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 299 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 162 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 184 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 138 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 96 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 256 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 133 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 121 mph | 282 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 174 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 296 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 145 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 196 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 183 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 72 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 206 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
555 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 772 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF4 | 70 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1975 | EF4 | 78 km | 56.5 mi | 9 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF3 | 97 km | 8.7 mi | 1 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 69 km | 29.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 7 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2016 | EF3 | 66 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2011 | EF3 | 86 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1992 | EF3 | 74 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 14, 1984 | EF3 | 21 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1983 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1977 | EF3 | 57 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1973 | EF3 | 15 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 1972 | EF3 | 41 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF3 | 16 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1969 | EF3 | 63 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1969 | EF3 | 42 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF3 | 95 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 1966 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1957 | EF3 | 84 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,768 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,768 | 83 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB51 | 4,411 | 92 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 75 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 18 | 3,826 | 92 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 25 | 3,676 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,666 | 85 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB24 | 2,458 | 82 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,444 | 100 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 48 | 2,394 | 83 km |
| 2024 | HOMOCHITTO BB28 SUB3 RX | 2,279 | 75 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,229 | 82 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB25 | 2,183 | 83 km |
| 2010 | HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 21 | 2,182 | 89 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,111 | 89 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,071 | 86 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB 21 AND BBHB | 2,021 | 89 km |
| 2021 | HOMOCHITTO BB26 | 2,008 | 78 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,995 | 97 km |
| 2022 | HOMOCHITTO BB 46 | 1,925 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 6.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 5.7 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 6.6 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | Driest |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 in |
Watson has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 66.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.8") and November the driest (4.3").