Louisiana Weather

Louisiana climate

Louisiana has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The state is one of the wettest in the nation, receiving 55 to 65 inches of rainfall per year, with the heaviest precipitation occurring along the Gulf Coast. High humidity is a constant feature, with dew points often exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months.

Louisiana is among the most hurricane-vulnerable states in the country, with a Gulf coastline that has been struck by numerous major hurricanes throughout recorded history. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 remains one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, devastating New Orleans and the surrounding region. Hurricane Ida in 2021 made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage to coastal communities.

Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes threaten Louisiana from late winter through spring, with the state averaging about 30 tornadoes per year. The Mississippi River and extensive bayou system create flooding risks year-round. Winters are brief and mild, with freezing temperatures occurring only a handful of times per year in southern Louisiana, while the northern parishes occasionally see light snow or ice.