Weather in New Orleans, Louisiana
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—81°67°
- SundayMay 17Overcast14%82°67°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle15%88°73°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle28%89°74°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast37%86°73°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Drizzle56%86°72°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle60%87°73°
- 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
- 11:22 AM
- Moonset
- 1:08 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
New Orleans at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 10°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: February 15 (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 | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | 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
August brings New Orleans its warmest temperatures (~85°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~54°F). Rainfall peaks in August (6.5 inches) and drops to its lowest point 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
New Orleans falls within a humid subtropical climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this cohort.
Similar climates: Baton Rouge, LA, Shreveport, LA, Lafayette, LA, Lake Charles, LA, Metairie, LA.
Naturalist notes
By late May, bald cypress trees along area waterways have fully leafed out after their winter dormancy.
June brings the peak nesting period for brown pelicans along Louisiana's coastal areas.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in New Orleans?
- New Orleans typically sees its last spring frost around mid-March, with the first fall frost returning around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in New Orleans?
- August delivers the most rainfall with about 6.5 inches on average; the city receives roughly 60 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in New Orleans?
- August typically brings the warmest temperatures, averaging about 85°F.
- What is the coldest month in New Orleans?
- January typically brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 54°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in New Orleans?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does New Orleans get?
- New Orleans sees about 75 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is New Orleans?
- New Orleans's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
New Orleans, Louisiana experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 54°F while July averages 84°F — a 30°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, New Orleans receives about 60 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 75 rainy days.
Latitude (30.1°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation establish the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.