Weather in Gretna, Louisiana
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—86°70°
- SundayMay 17Overcast16%86°69°
- MondayMay 18Drizzle20%92°74°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle33%91°75°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast41%90°75°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast58%91°74°
- FridayMay 22Overcast62%89°75°
- PM 2.5
- 9.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 12.1 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 108.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:23 AM
- Moonset
- 1:08 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Gretna at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: February 14 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| April | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | — | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Gretna's warmest month is August (~85°F mean) and its coldest is January (~54°F). Rainfall peaks in August (6.5 inches) and bottoms out in November (3.6 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54° | 5.3″ | 6 |
| February | 58° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| March | 64° | 4.6″ | 5 |
| April | 71° | 5.9″ | 5 |
| May | 78° | 4.9″ | 5 |
| June | 83° | 6.0″ | 9 |
| July | 84° | 6.3″ | 10 |
| August | 85° | 6.5″ | 8 |
| September | 81° | 4.6″ | 6 |
| October | 73° | 3.6″ | 5 |
| November | 63° | 3.6″ | 4 |
| December | 56° | 4.6″ | 6 |
Regional context
Gretna sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: New Orleans, LA, Baton Rouge, LA, Shreveport, LA, Lafayette, LA, Lake Charles, LA.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Gretna?
- Gretna's last spring frost typically falls around mid-February, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Gretna?
- August is the wettest month with about 6.5 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 60 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Gretna?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 85°F.
- What is the coldest month in Gretna?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 54°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Gretna?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-February); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Gretna get?
- Gretna averages about 75 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Gretna?
- Gretna's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Gretna, Louisiana sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 54°F while July averages 84°F — a 30°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Gretna receives about 60 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 75 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (29.9°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.