Best time to go to Louisiana for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 13/11/2024When is the best time to go to Louisiana?
There isn't really a best season to visit Louisiana, as only the months of January and August are less favorable than the others in terms of climate. A trip is therefore possible all year round, and the choice of your vacation dates will mainly depend on what you want to do there.
- To go on a road trip across the entire state to discover the Cajun and Creole cultural heritage, it's best to visit Louisiana in spring, from March to June, or in autumn, from September to November. The weather is then suitable for both city visits and outdoor activities, such as exploring the famous bayous or visiting plantations.
- To swim in the Gulf of Mexico, prefer the period between mid-April and the end of October. During the shoulder seasons, the water of the Caribbean Sea hovers around 26°C (79°F) , while in summer it easily rises to around 30°C (86°F) . A delight to enjoy the pleasures of the beach during your stay!
- To experience a wealth of festivals where jazz and blues were born, choose the month of April. There isn't a single weekend without a celebration happening somewhere!
- If you want to take a cruise on the Mississippi, it's better to go in autumn, although spring is also very pleasant. The advantage of October and November is that the rains are less frequent and the trees along the banks take on fantastic colors!
- If you want to experience the carnival madness, visit Louisiana in January-February. It's in New Orleans where the celebrations are the wildest and the parades the most spectacular. However, you will need to book accommodation as early as possible, as everything gets quickly booked up and prices soar.
- When to go to Louisiana if you have a small budget? Buying plane tickets will surely be your biggest expense. To combine good prices and great weather, prefer the months of September, October, or even April. During carnival, in January-February, flights are not expensive, but accommodation prices quickly increase. This can be a feasible option if you have a good accommodation deal on-site! In any case, it's better to avoid the months of July, August, and December.
As you can see, it is generally preferable to visit Louisiana in May-June or September-October. This way, you will avoid the intense heat and humidity of summer while being able to enjoy outdoor activities and beach pleasures. Adding to that, flights at unbeatable prices make these truly the two perfect periods!
Annual weather in Louisiana
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Louisiana for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F to 63°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| February | 45°F to 68°F | good weather* | |||
| March | 52°F to 74°F | good weather | |||
| April | 58°F to 79°F | good weather* | |||
| May | 65°F to 86°F | good weather | |||
| June | 72°F to 94°F | good weather | |||
| July | 74°F to 97°F | good weather* | |||
| August | 74°F to 97°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| September | 68°F to 90°F | good weather | |||
| October | 59°F to 83°F | good weather* | |||
| November | 50°F to 72°F | good weather* | |||
| December | 45°F to 67°F | good weather* |
Best time to travel to Louisiana by cities
Climate and Weather in Louisiana
The climate of Louisiana is humid subtropical with no dry season and has been warm. Due to its geographical position, the state benefits from the influence of the Caribbean Sea and its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer.
In summary, it rains regularly throughout the year, with a peak in humidity during the summer, especially in July and August. Temperatures are mild in winter, perfect during the transitional seasons, and hot to sweltering during the summer.
Spring Weather in Louisiana
Spring, from late March to late June, is a wonderful season to explore this southern state of the United States of America. During this period, showers are possible between 3 and 10 days per month. Most often they are intense but short-lived, quickly giving way to sunshine. It's still a good idea to pack a raincoat in your backpack!
Temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing and gradually increase throughout the season:
- In March, the average daytime temperature is 23°C (74°F) , but evenings and nights are still cool, around 11°C (52°F) . It's still a bit early for swimming, as the sea water is around 19°C (67°F) .
- In May, summer seems to be settling in, and it's time to bring out flip-flops and t-shirts. The temperature is around 30°C (86°F) in the middle of the day and 18°C (65°F) at night. As for the water temperatures, they hover around 26°C (79°F) !
- In June, the maximum temperatures are around 34°C (94°F) and the minimums are 22°C (72°F) , perfect for enjoying long evenings on the terrace! The water will refresh you a bit as it is close to 30°C (86°F) .
Summer Weather in Louisiana
In July and August, daytime temperatures hover around 36°C (97°F) . Add to that a humidity level nearing 80% and frequent tropical rains, and you get a continuously muggy atmosphere that is often stifling. Fortunately, the thermometer drops to around 23°C (74°F) at night, which allows for better breathing. As for the sea water, it averages close to 31°C (88°F) .
In terms of precipitation, it often rains during this period. Most of the time, these are thunderstorms that can be severe, but the sun returns quickly.
In September, the weather in Louisiana is more pleasant. It rains less, and temperatures are milder: 32°C (90°F) during the day, 20°C (68°F) at night, and 29°C (85°F) in the water.
However, be cautious of potential hurricanes, which generally occur in late summer and early autumn. In case of an alert, follow the instructions of the authorities, who are much better trained since the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Autumn Weather in Louisiana
After the intense heat of summer, autumn arrives just in time, bringing with it less precipitation and perfect temperatures for exploring the region:
- Late September and early October, summer lingers on. The temperature is around 28°C (83°F) during the day, 15°C (59°F) at night, and 26°C (79°F) in the water.
- In November, the thermometer drops quite suddenly, but the averages remain pleasant, around 22°C (72°F) in the air and in the sea. However, nights are cool, with minimums close to 10°C (50°F) .
- In December, expect about 3°C (38°F) less than in November.
Winter Weather in Louisiana
In winter, temperatures in Louisiana still allow for a mild and pleasant atmosphere, especially since the sun promotes a certain feeling of well-being, with precipitation being less frequent than at other times of the year.
- From December to late January, the thermometer fluctuates between 17 and 19°C (67°F) . However, it is during this period that potential cold waves can occur, leading to icy temperatures and frost in some areas. This phenomenon remains rare, but it's better to bring appropriate clothing.
- In February, the temperature is around 20°C (68°F) during the day, but nights remain very cool with temperatures close to 7°C (45°F) .
- In March, spring makes its appearance at the beginning of the month, and the temperature is around 23°C (74°F) . At night, the minimums rise above 10°C (50°F) . This is accompanied by slightly more frequent rains, but they won't spoil your stay.
Temperatures and rainfall in Louisiana
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Louisiana and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Alexandria (Louisiane) and Cameron, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Louisiana
Find out when Louisiana has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Louisiana
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, August and September. The number of visitors to Louisiana is high in: July, October, November and December.
- Very low season in Louisiana: January, February, March, April, May, June, August and September.
- Peak season in Louisiana: July, October, November and December.
Figure: Visitor index for Louisiana month by month
Average price for flights to Louisiana
A return flight between Chicago and New Orleans is generally cheaper if you go in september ($ 179 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 217 more for your airline ticket to New Orleans if you go in march.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Louisiana
Where to go in Louisiana?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| New Orleans | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 72°F | 67°F |
| Baton Rouge | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 86°F | 92°F | 94°F | 94°F | 90°F | 83°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Shreveport | 56°F | 59°F | 68°F | 77°F | 86°F | 94°F | 97°F | 97°F | 90°F | 79°F | 67°F | 58°F |
| Alexandria (Louisiane) | 58°F | 61°F | 70°F | 77°F | 86°F | 92°F | 94°F | 94°F | 90°F | 81°F | 68°F | 61°F |
| Cameron | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F |
| Grand Isle | 63°F | 67°F | 70°F | 76°F | 81°F | 86°F | 88°F | 88°F | 86°F | 79°F | 72°F | 67°F |
| Holly Beach | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F |
| Houma | 63°F | 68°F | 74°F | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 90°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 72°F | 67°F |
| Lake Charles | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 86°F | 90°F | 92°F | 94°F | 88°F | 81°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Marksville | 58°F | 63°F | 70°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 68°F | 61°F |
| Marsh Island | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 81°F | 70°F | 65°F |
| Monroe | 56°F | 59°F | 68°F | 76°F | 85°F | 92°F | 94°F | 94°F | 88°F | 79°F | 67°F | 58°F |
| Morgan City | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 90°F | 90°F | 88°F | 81°F | 72°F | 65°F |
| Natchitoches | 58°F | 61°F | 70°F | 77°F | 86°F | 94°F | 95°F | 95°F | 90°F | 81°F | 68°F | 59°F |
| New Iberia | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 70°F | 65°F |
| Oakdale | 59°F | 63°F | 72°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 70°F | 61°F |
| Opelousas | 59°F | 63°F | 72°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Pecan Island | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 86°F | 90°F | 90°F | 92°F | 88°F | 81°F | 72°F | 65°F |
| Port Sulphur | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 90°F | 86°F | 79°F | 72°F | 67°F |
| Ruston | 56°F | 59°F | 68°F | 77°F | 85°F | 92°F | 95°F | 95°F | 90°F | 79°F | 67°F | 58°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
very bad weather
About Louisiana
What can I do in Louisiana?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Louisiana reliable?
Climate data for Louisiana has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Louisiana allows us to determine the average for each month in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Alexandria (Louisiane), Cameron, Grand Isle, Holly Beach, Houma, and 13 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.