New Orleans, LA weather by month
South · Station: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, LA · NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
The best time to visit New Orleans, LA is January–April, October–December, when average daytime highs are comfortable and rainfall sits at or below the city's monthly average. New Orleans is hottest in July (avg high 91°F) and coolest in January (avg high 63°F). The wettest month is June (7.6 in) and the driest is October (3.7 in). Overall the annual mean temperature is about 70.5°F with 63.3 in of precipitation a year.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Monthly weather averages for New Orleans
| Month | Avg high (°F) | Avg low (°F) | Avg precip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63 | 46 | 5.2 |
| February | 66 | 50 | 4.1 |
| March | 72 | 55 | 4.4 |
| April | 79 | 62 | 5.2 |
| May | 85 | 69 | 5.6 |
| June | 90 | 75 | 7.6 |
| July | 91 | 77 | 6.8 |
| August | 91 | 77 | 6.9 |
| September | 88 | 74 | 5.1 |
| October | 81 | 64 | 3.7 |
| November | 71 | 54 | 3.9 |
| December | 65 | 48 | 4.8 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Best time to visit New Orleans
Based on the normals above, the most pleasant window is January–April, October–December. In those months daytime highs are in the mild-to-warm range and precipitation is no higher than the city's typical month, so you avoid both the peak hot of July (when highs reach about 91°F — stay hydrated and seek shade midday) and the cool, darker conditions around January (highs near 63°F). Try to avoid June if rain would spoil your plans — it is the wettest month at 7.6 in. Use the packing & comfort tool to check any specific month.
How New Orleans compares
New Orleans's 63.3 in of annual precipitation and 70.5°F mean temperature put it in context with other US cities. See where it ranks for warmest in January, rainiest overall and driest overall, or browse the full list of cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit New Orleans?
The most comfortable time to visit New Orleans, LA is January–April, October–December, when average daytime highs are mild and rainfall is at or below the city's average. New Orleans is hottest in July (avg high 91°F) and coolest in January (avg high 63°F), per NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
What is the average temperature in New Orleans?
New Orleans's annual mean temperature is about 70.5°F. The warmest month is July (average high 91°F, low 77°F) and the coolest is January (average high 63°F, low 46°F).
How much rain does New Orleans get?
New Orleans receives about 63.3 inches of precipitation a year. The wettest month is June (7.6 in) and the driest is October (3.7 in).
Source
Monthly averages from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, LA (reference values verified against the published normals). Climate normals describe a 30-year average, not a forecast; any individual year can differ. See our methodology for how "best time to visit" is derived.
Last updated: 2026-06-18