Honestly, if you’ve lived in Acadiana for more than a week, you know the local weather is basically a mood ring. One minute you're hunting for a light jacket, and the next, you're wondering if it’s too early to turn the AC back on.
Right now, looking at the 7 day forecast lafayette la, we are smack in the middle of that classic Louisiana winter tug-of-war. As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, things are leaning into the chilly side, but don’t let the morning sun fool you into thinking it'll stay that way.
The Immediate Outlook: Freezing Nights and Sunny Bites
Today is looking pretty gray. We’re sitting at a high of 52°F with a lot of cloud cover. It's that kind of damp cold that gets into your bones, especially with the wind coming out of the north at 14 mph. If you’re heading out to the Horse Farm or grabbing boudin, bring a real coat.
Tonight is where it gets interesting. The clouds are going to clear out, which sounds nice, but in January, that just means all the heat escapes. We’re looking at a low of 31°F. Yeah, actually freezing.
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, is going to be gorgeous but crisp. A high of 47°F under full sun. It’s perfect "porch weather" if you have a outdoor heater or a very thick sweater.
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Breaking Down the Week Ahead
Monday starts the slow climb back to "normal" Louisiana temps. We’re jumping up to 59°F, and honestly, after a 30-degree night, that’s going to feel like a heatwave.
Tuesday and Wednesday keep that momentum going.
- Tuesday: High of 56°F, mostly cloudy.
- Wednesday: High of 65°F. Now we’re talking.
By Thursday, January 22, the moisture starts creeping back in from the Gulf. Expect a high of 64°F with a 35% chance of light rain. It won't be a washout, but it’ll be that annoying misty rain that makes the humidity spike back up to around 64%.
Why Lafayette Weather is So Bi-Polar
People always ask why our 7 day forecast lafayette la looks like a heart monitor. It’s the geography, plain and simple. We are caught between the dry air pushing down from the Plains and the warm, wet air huffing up from the Gulf of Mexico.
When those two fight, we get the weirdness.
Take Friday, January 23, for example. We’re hitting a high of 67°F. Then Saturday, January 24, jumps all the way to 70°F. You’ll see people in shorts at the grocery store while others are still wearing parkas from the Monday freeze. Both are technically right.
Survival Tips for the Next 7 Days
- Drip those faucets tonight. With a low of 31°F tonight and 30°F tomorrow night, it's better to be safe than dealing with a burst pipe on a Sunday morning.
- Layers are your best friend. The swing from a 31-degree morning to a 52-degree afternoon is enough to give anyone a head cold.
- Check the plants. If you’ve got those tropicals out on the patio, bring 'em in now.
Looking further out, Sunday, January 25, brings a much higher chance of rain—about 65% at night—with a high of 62°F. It looks like the following Monday will stay wet too.
The big takeaway? Enjoy the sun on Sunday and Monday. It’s the best "winter" weather we get before the humidity decides to move back in for good. Basically, keep your umbrella in the car and your heavy blanket on the bed. You're gonna need both this week.
To stay ahead of the changes, keep an eye on the wind direction. When it flips from North to South/Southeast (which happens around Wednesday), that's your signal that the "cold" snap is officially over and the mugginess is returning.