New Orleans, Louisiana - Weather

Current Weather & Forecast

In Depth Forecast

Climate

The climate of New Orleans is humid subtropical, with short, generally mild winters and hot, humid summers. In January, morning lows average around 43F, and daily highs around 62F. In July, lows average 74F, and highs average 91F. The lowest recorded temperature was 7F on February 13, 1899. The highest recorded temperature was 102F on August 22, 1980. The average precipitation is 64.2in annually; the summer months are the wettest, while October is the driest month. Precipitation in winter usually accompanies the passing of a cold front.

Hurricanes pose a severe threat to the area, and the city is particularly vulnerable because of its low elevation. According the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the city is the most vulnerable in the country when it comes to hurricanes. Since 1965, portions of New Orleans have been flooded by four different storms: Hurricane Betsy, Hurricane Georges, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.

New Orleans experiences snowfall only on rare occasions. A small amount of snow fell during the 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm. On December 25, a combination of rain, sleet, and snow fell on the city, leaving some bridges icy. Before that, the last white Christmas was in 1954 and brought 4.5in. The last significant snowfall in New Orleans fell on December 22, 1989, when most of the city received 1–2 inches of snow.