Honestly, if you're checking the 14 day weather forecast for new orleans because you're planning a trip, you’ve probably noticed the numbers look a bit like a mood ring. One minute it's a crisp 40°F and you're hunting for a wool scarf, and the next, it’s 71°F and you’re wondering why you didn't pack more short sleeves.
New Orleans in January doesn't do "consistent."
Right now, as of Thursday night, January 15, we are sitting at a clear 43°F with a light 3 mph breeze coming from the southwest. It’s quiet. But that’s the thing about the Big Easy—the quiet never lasts long.
The Wild Rollercoaster of Next Week
If you’re looking at the immediate window, Friday, January 16, is going to be a shock to the system in the best way possible. We’re jumping from today's high of 52°F all the way up to 68°F. That is a 16-degree swing in 24 hours. You'll see people out by the Mississippi River soaking up the sun, but don’t get too comfortable. By Saturday, the clouds roll back in, and we’re back down to a high of 55°F with a 35% chance of rain.
This is the classic NOLA winter dance.
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The humidity is also playing its usual role. On Thursday, January 22, it’s expected to spike to 81%. When the humidity hits those levels in the winter, the "damp cold" feels like it’s actually getting into your bones, even if the thermometer says it's 66°F.
Rain and What to Actually Expect
Most people see "rain" on a forecast and think their day is ruined. In New Orleans, rain is usually just a brief interruption. However, looking at the data for late next week, Saturday, January 24, is looking particularly wet. We’re talking about a 75% chance of rain at night with a high of 71°F during the day.
Basically, it’s going to be a "warm soup" kind of day.
The wind is mostly staying manageable, hovering between 6 mph and 13 mph for the majority of the next two weeks. The only real outlier is Sunday, January 25, where the wind kicks up to 17 mph from the north. That’s the day the "chill" really returns, dropping the low back down to 40°F.
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Real Talk on Packing
If you are coming down here, do not just bring a heavy coat. You will look silly and be miserable by 2:00 PM.
- Friday (Jan 16): Sunny, High 68°F. (T-shirt and a light layer).
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Mostly Cloudy, High 48°F. (This is real jacket weather).
- Friday (Jan 23): Light Rain, High 71°F. (Rain shell is mandatory).
New Orleans is a walking city. If your shoes aren't waterproof and you get caught in one of those 25-35% chance showers, your afternoon is going to be significantly less fun.
The Myth of the "Frozen South"
Every year, there’s a rumor that it’s going to snow. While some forum threads are buzzing about potential flurries in the Deep South for late January 2026, the current data for New Orleans proper shows nothing but rain. We might see a low of 37°F on Tuesday, January 20, but that’s still safely above the freezing mark.
The real "danger" isn't snow; it's the fluctuation. Going from 71°F on Friday to 58°F on Sunday (Jan 25) is how people end up catching a cold during their vacation.
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Actionable Tips for Your Trip
Stop obsessing over the 14-day mark and focus on the 48-hour window. The Gulf of Mexico makes the weather here notoriously hard to predict more than three days out.
What you should do right now: Check the 14 day weather forecast for new orleans one last time before you zip your suitcase, but prioritize layers. Ensure you have at least one wind-resistant outer shell and shoes that can handle a puddle on Bourbon Street. If the forecast says 20% rain, assume it will rain for 20 minutes and plan your museum or cafe stops accordingly.
The city is beautiful in the "winter" chill—just make sure you aren't the one shivering in a tank top when that north wind hits on the 25th.