If you’re standing in the French Quarter today, January 15, 2026, you’re probably looking at a bright, crisp sky that feels absolutely nothing like the humid, heavy air New Orleans is famous for. Honestly, the 7 day forecast new orleans la right now is a bit of a rollercoaster. We just came off a stretch of foggy, muggy mornings earlier this month, and now the city is leaning into that true "winter" feel that catches tourists off guard every single year.
People think of the Big Easy and they think of heat.
They’re wrong.
January here is fickle. It’s the month where you can go from needing a heavy coat at breakfast to sweating in a t-shirt by 2:00 PM.
Breaking Down the Next Week in NOLA
Right now, we are looking at a classic post-front clearing. Today, Thursday, January 15, is about as sunny as it gets. The high is struggling to hit 52°F, and with those northwest winds kicking up at 12 mph, that "feels like" temperature is going to bite if you’re walking along the riverfront.
Here is the thing about New Orleans: the humidity makes the cold feel wetter. It seeps into your bones.
Tonight is going to be the real test for your indoor plants and exposed pipes. We’re dropping down to about 39°F in the city, but outlying areas like Slidell or Kenner could see some patchy frost. The National Weather Service in Slidell has been keeping a close eye on these temperature dips because, while we haven't hit a hard freeze yet this week, the moisture levels are just high enough to make things slippery and frosty by dawn on Friday.
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The Friday Warm-Up and Weekend Shifts
By Friday, January 16, the wind flips. This is the "New Orleans Swing." We go from a high of 52°F on Thursday to a projected 68°F on Friday. That’s a 16-degree jump in 24 hours. You've basically got one day of winter before the Gulf air starts creeping back in.
But don't get too comfortable.
- Saturday, January 17: Expect clouds to move in fast. The high will drop back down to around 53°F. There is a 45% chance of light rain Saturday night, which usually means a gray, drizzly mess for anyone heading to Frenchman Street.
- Sunday, January 18: The rain clears out early, leaving us with a very cold, very clear Sunday. We’re looking at a high of only 45°F. That’s the coldest day in the current 7-day stretch.
- Monday, January 19: We start the work week with more sun. Lows will be around 36°F—nearly freezing—but the afternoon should recover to a pleasant 54°F.
Why Does the Weather Change So Fast Here?
You might wonder why the 7 day forecast new orleans la looks like a heart monitor readout. It’s all about the geography. We are sitting right between the massive cold air masses sliding down from the Great Plains and the warm, moist vacuum of the Gulf of Mexico.
When a cold front hits that Gulf air, it doesn't just get cold; it fights. That’s why we get those sudden, violent thunderstorms followed by crystal-clear blue skies and a 30-degree temperature drop.
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Local meteorologists, including the team at the NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge office, often point out that "average" temperatures in January are a myth. The average high might be 62°F, but you’ll rarely actually see 62°F. You’ll see 75°F for two days and 45°F for two days.
Essential Packing for a NOLA Winter
If you're visiting during this 7-day window, you have to be tactical.
- Layers are non-negotiable. A light puffer jacket is better than a heavy wool coat because you'll want to shed it once the sun hits the pavement at noon.
- Waterproof shoes. Even if the "amount" of rain in the forecast is low (like the 0.10 inches predicted for Saturday night), the drainage in New Orleans is... let's call it "historic." Puddles linger.
- The Wind Factor. If you’re taking the Algiers Ferry, that 15 mph wind off the water will make a 50-degree day feel like 35.
Looking Toward Next Wednesday
As we round out the forecast toward Wednesday, January 21, things start to stabilize. We’re looking at a high of 60°F with mostly cloudy skies. It’s that murky, classic South Louisiana winter weather where the sky is the color of a wet sidewalk.
Humidity will be back up to about 64%, so that crispness from Thursday will be a distant memory.
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Actionable Tips for This Week
If you are a local or just staying for the week, here is your move-forward plan based on the current data:
- Protect the sensitive stuff: Friday night and Sunday night are the most likely candidates for frost. If you have citrus trees or tropicals on the porch, bring them in or wrap them.
- Plan your outdoor dining for Friday: It’s the only day this week that will feel "warm" with a high of 68°F.
- Check the drainage: Saturday night's rain isn't expected to be a deluge, but with the city's ongoing infrastructure updates in 2026, keep an eye on catch basins in your neighborhood to avoid the usual street ponding.
The weather in New Orleans doesn't just happen; it's a mood. This week, that mood is "confused but sunny." Keep your umbrella in the trunk and your hoodie near the door, and you'll survive the January swing just fine.
Check back with the National Weather Service regularly, as these Gulf systems can shift 50 miles in either direction and completely change the rain percentages for the weekend.