You’ve booked the flight, picked out a few restaurants in the Garden District, and maybe even bought a pair of comfortable walking shoes. But then you check the 30 day weather forecast New Orleans la and see a chaotic mess of sun icons, raindrop emojis, and temperature swings that look like a heart rate monitor. Honestly, it’s enough to make anyone second-guess their packing list.
New Orleans weather in January and February is basically a mood ring. One day you’re sitting at a sidewalk cafe in a t-shirt, and the next, you’re scrambling for a heavy coat because a damp "wet cold" has settled into your bones. It’s not just about the numbers on the screen; it’s about how that 80% humidity makes 45°F feel like a literal ice bath.
The Real Deal for Late January 2026
If you’re looking at the next few weeks, things are getting interesting. Today, January 16, we’re seeing a high of 68°F, which is pretty much peak New Orleans "winter" perfection. But don't get too comfortable. By Sunday, the high drops to 51°F with a low of 37°F.
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Here is what the immediate horizon looks like for the city:
- The Weekend Shift: Saturday brings clouds and a 35% chance of rain. If you’re planning on hitting a parade or an outdoor market, keep a light shell handy.
- The Mid-Week Warmup: By next Wednesday, January 21, the humidity climbs back up, pushing the high to 66°F. This usually brings "showers rain" in the evening—expect about a 65% chance that night.
- Late January Outlook: The Old Farmer’s Almanac and local data suggest a colder snap toward the end of the month (Jan 22-24). While the "Neaux Sneaux" mantra usually holds true, some forecasts are whispering about colder-than-average dips to wrap up the month.
Why a 30-Day Forecast Is Kinda Like a Suggestion
Let's talk about the science for a second. Most meteorologists, including the folks at the National Weather Service, will tell you that after about 10 days, "forecasts" are really just educated guesses based on climatological averages.
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For New Orleans, the average high in January is roughly 62°F, but the standard deviation is wild. You could easily see 80°F or 30°F. The city sits between the warm waters of the Gulf and the cold air masses sliding down from the Great Plains. When those two meet? You get the classic New Orleans fog or a sudden thunderstorm that disappears as quickly as it arrived.
Surviving the Humidity and the "Wet Cold"
People from the North always laugh when New Orleanians complain about 40-degree weather. Then they visit. Because the air is so heavy with moisture, the cold doesn't just sit on your skin—it sinks in.
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Layering isn't just a fashion choice here; it's a survival tactic. You’ll want a base layer that breathes, a sweater for the mid-day shade, and a windbreaker for when you're walking near the river. The wind coming off the Mississippi in February is no joke.
What to Pack for the Next 30 Days
If your trip falls in this window, ditch the heavy parka unless you're very sensitive to cold. Instead, think:
- Waterproof boots: Not just for rain, but because the streets in the French Quarter can be... unpredictable.
- A versatile scarf: Great for the chilly mornings, easy to shove in a bag by 2 PM.
- An umbrella that won't flip: The wind gusts at Louis Armstrong International have hit nearly 30 knots recently. Cheap umbrellas won't last ten minutes.
The 30-day outlook actually looks pretty decent for festivals and walking tours, provided you're okay with a little dampness. February typically sees around 5 inches of rain, but it rarely rains all day. It’s more of a "duck into a bar for one drink and the sun will be back out" kind of situation.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Check the Radar, Not Just the App: Use a live radar app like WWL or WDSU. The percentage chance of rain is often misleading; seeing the actual cell movement tells you if you have time for one more beignet.
- Book "Flex" Activities: If the 30-day forecast shows a soggy week, plan your museum visits (like the WWII Museum) for those days and save the swamp tours for the "sunny and mild" windows.
- Ignore the "Snow" Rumors: Every time the temp drops below 40, locals start talking about snow. It has happened only a handful of times in the last few decades. Don't pack snow boots.
- Prepare for the "Switch": If the wind is from the South, it’ll be muggy and warm. If it’s from the Northwest, it’ll be crisp and dry. Check the wind direction on your weather card to know which "version" of the city you're getting that day.