The entire state of Louisiana has a subtropical climate, creating mild winters and hot, steamy summers. Precipitation is a common occurrence throughout the entire year, though October is frequently the driest month. Rain is heavier in the southern part of the state, particularly during the winter when the area sees daytime highs averaging 66°F. In the northern part of the state. the winter highs are slightly cooler around 59°F from December through February.
Summers can be extremely hot and humid in Louisiana, especially down south around New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Daytime weather hovers around 90°F from June through August, with humidity levels in the 90 percent range most days. At night it cools off slightly to about 77°F, but it can still feel stuffy unless a breeze is blowing off the Gulf of Mexico. This is when the weather can turn violent as well, with an average of 60 days of major thunderstorms a year. Louisiana also gets around 20 tornadoes annually, typically between January and March. But the real danger comes from the hurricanes. Louisiana sits right in a major hurricane pathway, evident by disasters such as Katrina in 2005. Most hurricanes roll through in August and September so be prepared and keep an eye on the weather.
Best Time to Visit Louisiana
There’s really no bad time to visit Louisiana, though hurricane season in August and September adds to the risk of inclement weather. Winters are mild, if somewhat wet, marking low tourism season. This is when you can often find good deals on hotels in New Orleans and other popular destinations. In terms of climate, it doesn’t get any better than October and early November. This is the driest time of the year, which means lower humidity and slightly cooler temperatures to make outdoor activities enjoyable. Of course, the annual Mardi Gras celebration takes place in February and draws massive crowds so be sure to plan ahead. Jazz Fest is the second big event in the city, and you’ll have a hard time finding accommodations during either festival.